DEATH SWEET TO IT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 April 1917, Page 6

DEATH SWEET TO IT.

ST AVAL MAN DESCRIBES HIS IMPRISONMENT. “I WAS STARVING.” A prisoner in the hands of the enemy! What pictures of suffering these simple words recall. A Leeds uaval man, Seaman George Tait, is now recuperating at the Hotel Eiger, Murren, Switzerland In a letter to his friends, Mr and Mrs Prest, of that town, he tells of his experiences:—“l am under a doctor whose treatment is, “Take plenty of fresh air, go mountain climbing, and have plenty of sport and light food. ’ The first few days I was here I had not the strength to walk, but now I am

getting stronger every day. I have to undergo an operation for my eyes, and then I hope to see as well as I did when I left my dear old homo. “1 shall never forget your kindness to me while I was a prisoner in Germany. Many a time I was starving when I received your parcels, and I was so hungry that I would have liked to have eaten all you sent in a day. ’ But I had to think: 'Well I must have something for another day.' Many a time I have gone weeks without a parcel. "I wish thejr would exchange all the poor fellows. I have had a very rough

time during my twenty-seven months a prisoner, and there are others who have had it worse. When the war is over the whole world will understand the true nature of German ‘ Kultnre. ’ “I thank God with all my heart that I am out of their hands. I would never go through another time like that in Germany. Death would he sweet to it. It was terrible at times, but I hope to be happier and forget all about it. That is one of my reasons for learning Russian. In reading the history of Russia I forgot the history of German ‘Kulture. ’ ” It is interesting to add that Mr and Mrs Prest'adapted ’ Seaman Tate while he was a prisoner on account of the fact that he was stated to ho a native of Leeds. In his letter he encloses photographs taken in Switzerland, and promises to take the first opportunity of paying his thanks personally.