GENERAL CABLES

Taihape Daily Times, 18 March 1918, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES

CONDITIONS IN GERMAN CAMPS.

TO SAVE OUR MEN FROM DETE RIORATION.

SULLIVAN’S APPEAL

Received 8.50

LONDON, March 17

Mr. Sullivan, the well-known 3c ui

ler, who was recently repatriated fiom Rulilehcu, emphasises the necessity of doing everything to keep up the spirits of the prisoners in Rutileben, whereof now there are about 45 Australians and ten New Zealanders present. The monotony and weariness of waiting is undermining their mental and physical vigour, despite excellent sport, pastimes, and ether outdoor diversions. The difficulty of resisting the depressing mode of life increases as the war proceeds. A number of promising men are shattered) and some probably will never recover. He found the older men stand the strain better than the younger, as they arc able to take a more philosophical view of the confinement and wasted years. He is convinced the sporting and gymnastic activities has been the greatest boon. He found those studiously inclined were apt to go under first. He mentioned cases of clever young men slowly sinking to imbecility, and some of these were damaged, probably irreparably. He therefore used all his persuasion to induce others to keep physically fit, especially the Australians and New Zealanders, and he found them on the whole more disposed for strenuous diversions than others. Their healtn when he quitted camp on the 7th February was reasonably good all round. Sullivan wants to impress on the friends of the prisoners the importance of helping them to keep going physically, and mentioned two shortages, particularly indoor gymnastic shoes of various sizes to the largest, preferably of rope soles, as rubber will probably be barred by ties. He says it is difficulty to keep the men at the gymnasium, which is a Godsend in winter because their bare feet won’t endure the rough floor, and the regulation heavy clogs is disheartening. Other requirements are boxing gloves. The Australian committee are active in promoting the : welfare of Australians and New Zealanders, especially with regard to social intercourse, in order to combat prison gloom. The committee’s work Whs invaluable, but ho added the only remedy was a general repatriation. The saddest sight was to see men, especially younger losing the - most valuable of their years of life. ‘Employing in the best exercise is merely for the purpose of keeping up their spirits and preventing general deterioration. He confirms the view that parcels from Home alone enable prisoners to keep them alive. We may be s/ure of German neglect in the earlier periods, but it was doubtful if Germany was able to do much recently owing to their own food troubles. The prisoners’ staple food has long been potatoes and turnips, and a very small ration of meat once a week. No one could subsist thereon. Now that the Australian Red Cross had taken the despatch of parcels, it is anticipated everything regarding delivery will be satisfactorily ample. Bread was available from Holland, and over many biscuits were supplied. He suggests that other food might be substituted. Mails were very unreliable, but there -were no means of ascertaining where the leakages occur. Mr. Sullivan looks well and little altered. He attributes this to his incessant activties, physical and social. He modestly refuses to accept credit for keeping the camp in good health, but other released prisoners place the matter beyond doubt . ANOTHER GERMAN LIE. PARIS, March 15.

The Cardinal of Eheims protests against the mendacious German communique that a signalling post has been observed on the cathedral. He quotes the commanding general’s declaration that there is no military installation in the cathedral of any church in Eheims, and that there are no guns within 1800 metros of the cathedral, DISASTROUS EXPLOSION - . PARIS, March 16. Two terrific explosions, followed by fires, occurred in a munitions depot at St. Denis. Glass was shattered everywhere and shop fronts demolished in a score of streets. There was intense excitement. It was first thought that f German aeroplanes had reached the city without warning, At least thirty : "were killed and man}" injured, though ( their wounds are mostly slight. j

Luckily there were few working in the St. Denis factory at the time of the explosion. The building replaced one which was destroyed 'by an explosion in 1916.