DEATH SWEET TO IT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1917, Page 5

DEATH SWEET TO IT.

NjAVAL 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 naval man, Seaman George- Tate, is now recuperating at the Hotel' Eiger, Murren. Switzerland. In a Icttor to his friends, Mr. and Mrs. prest, of that town, he tells of his experiences: "I am under a doctor whoso treatment is, 'Take plenty or fresh air, go mountain climbing, and have plenty ofNsport, and light food.' The first few days I was hero I had not the strength to iwalk, but niw I am getting stronger every day. I have to undergo an operation for my cyeri, and then 1 hope to see aa well as I did when I loft my dear old home.

"I shall never forget your kindness to rao while I was a prisoner iii 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 niust have something for another iky.' Many a time I have gone weeks without a parcel. "I wish they would exchange all the poor fellows. I have had u. very rough time during my 27 months as prisoner and thefce arc others who have had it worse. When the war is over the whole world will understand the true nature of German 'Kiiltur.'

"I thanl>, God with all my heart that lam out of their hands. I would never go through another time \'\ka that in Germany. Death woulu be ...uueti to it. It was terrible at times, but 1 hope here to be happier and to forget all about it. That is one of my reasons for learning Russian. In reading t?ie history of Russia I forget tlip Mstory of German 'Kultur.'"

| It is interesting to' add that Mr. and Mrs. Prest "adopted" Seaman Tate while he was a prisoner on account of the fact that he was stated to be a- native of Leeds. In his letter he encloses photo.ghraphs taken in Switzerland, and promisesi to take the first opportunity df .paying hit JJtfjjfo* ucraonally.