Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 201, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1915 — Page 3

THE INTERNED GERMAN SAILORS

AUGHT in Hampton Roads, forced to submit to internment at Norfolk, required to live aboard their ships, the officers and men of the German converted cruisers Prinz E’tel FriedllWMjrJ rich and Kronprinz Wilhelm have *s§gg>S: transformed their vessels into comfortable homes. On the Bhips more than 600 men are living contentedly. 4 Their contentment is a tribute to the efficiency of German methods and to the generosity with which they are treated by the United States navy department and naval officers. As few restrictions as possible have been placed upon the interned crews, and reasonable requests have been promptly granted. Prom the moment the visitor steps upon the gangway of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich, which also leads to the Kronprinz Wilhelm, he sees evidences of preparations for a long stay and comfortable living. The cruisers, formerly transatlantic liners, with commodious cabins and expansive decks, have been cleared of all evidence which usually marks the warship. Awnings have been stretched to protect from the rain or sun. Everything not needed by a ship out of commission is out of sight. About two hundred men are dally granted shore leave. In the case of the enlisted men and noncommissioned officers the leaves of absence can be granted by the commanding officer of either cruiser. These leaves never exceed 12 hours. The majority are for six. In the case of the officers all leaves of absence must receive the sanction of the yard commandant or officer of the day —United States naval officials, in other words. All leaves specify that the men thus quitting the ships must not leave the jurisdiction of the Norfolk yard. This Includes the ports of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News and Hampton, as well as Old Point Comfort and the seaside resorts. Where leaves are desired to go beyond this yard Jurisdiction, special permission, with the approval of the yard commandant, must be secured from the navy department. These must specify the places to be visited, the object of the visit, and the duration of absence. As yet they have been granted only to officers. It is no uncommon sight to see German sailors on the streets of Norfolk. They are also often at the seaside resorts. They,-have received the nickname of “Sissy,” because of the peculiar caps they wear, with ribbon streamers falling almost to their shoulders. The peculiar baggy manner in which the blouse is worn, with the protruding large white collar, a relic of pinafore days, and the numerous rows of brass buttons adorning the uniform, make them easily recognizable. They are usually found in groups of from three to six—seldom in larger numbers. They are remarkably orderly, and although frequent patrons at the bars and the beer and music gardens, are never seen intoxicated. It is the local belief that this is due to practice making perfect—that they are well trained for “carrying a load.” When on shore leave the principal amusements of the German sailor are sight-seeing, social drinking, and, as a negro would say, “orating” with German-Americans, of whom there are a considerable number in Norfolk. In the beautiful residential sections of the city they are repeatedly observed on sight-seeing trips. They invariably walk, and show lively interest in the buildings and water front. In thp evening the German sailors are to be found at the rathskellers of the various hotels or the beer saloons. Some of them are always there, enjoying, themselves in a quiet manner. Usually they are accompanied by Germans in civilian clothes who know the town. ' The well-known Germhii neatness characterizes these sailors, whether aboard ship or on shore leave. They pride themselves on personal cleanliness, neatness of appearance, and military bearing. They are seemingly always on dress parade—and yet it is not ostentatloußness. The majority are clean shaven, and appear to have just jumped from the barber's chair. A number -wear the kaiser mustache; some have a patch of hair, a “bunny’s tall,” on their chins. Some of the men ashore make their headquarters at places of business kept by local Germans. One —the most because convenient in coming and going to the interned cruisers—is a jeweler’s shop. Americans are welcomed by the • sailors and treated cordially. They talk freely of their life on shipboard, and of their hopes of German victory. However, under instructions

from their commanding officers, they immediately become silent in the presence of newspaper men. They have been well drilled in- this respect. Two kinds of currency are used by the German sailors. On shipboard German coins are used exclusively. Men granted shore leave use American money. On each ship there is an officer whose duty it Is* to exchange American for German and German for American coin, as desired. The sailors have been instructed not to attempt to spend the German coin on shore. Visitors to the ships, desiring to purchase anything, must pay for it in German coin. The American money is promptly exchanged for the German by the exchange officer. Thousands of people in the Norfolk region now have German coin luck pieces for the pocket. Many persons visit the ships for the purpose of securing a German coin for this use. Each of the interned ships is equipped with a commissary department. Practically everything wanted by a sailor is for sale. The Germans are urged to buy on the ships, as they secure what is wanted at only a fraction above cost. Outsiders with German money can purchase anything desired, except uniforms and equipment. Portions of the ships have been set aside for beer drinking and smoking. The quarters are commodious. Here German sailors and their friends can be found, smoking, sipping their beer, eating light lunches, and gossiping volubly in German and broken English. At first these ship beer gardens were open to all. But a local clergyman and an ex-chaplain of the navy, with several friends, one Sunday went aboard one of the Bhips, enjoyed the hospitality of the Germans, and drank beer. Then the clergyman fired a bombshell at his congregation. It was the story of how the law was being violated each Sunday on the German cruisers by the sale of Intoxicants. It was the sensation of a day, but local police officials found themselves helpless, inasmuch as the alleged violations were committed on a federal reservation and on a foreign warship. The navy department ruled that it had no jurisdiction, further than a request to the German commanders not to permit tho indiscriminate sale of intoxicants on Sunday. Such a request was made, and as a result the sale of beer and other drinks to Americans was discontinued. But this does not mean that a visitor on the ship cannot get something to drink and pay for It himself. The way to obtain a stein of beer when on one of the German cruisers is to treat a German sailor by getting him to “treat” you. They are always ready to accommodate you, although treating 1b not a German politeness, as it is in America. All one has to do Is to furnish American money. The sailor will exchange it for German coin. He also orders the drinks. Sailors act as waiters. But there is no effort to entice you to buy. The cost of a stein of beer is about two and one-half cents. The light lunches served are also reasonable in price. One gives his order and it is filled with remarkable quickness. On shipboard, while the rules have been relaxed sufficiently to relieve monotony, there Is no lack of discipline. The men are divided into watches, and during their service hours are employed at the occupations necessary to make life comfortable aboard ship. Card playing is allowed, reading rooms are provided, and on deck games, such as quoit throwing, taks place. Like American sailors the Germans have their ship mascots —monkeys, parrots, dogs, cats. Except when on duty the officers of the cruisers are rarely seen. They have their quarters separate from the men, keep to them, and seldom take part in the pastime. Vet there is a marked want of aloofnes from the men, when they are thrown together. Those informed declare that the * officers are close students and spend much time reading. Nearly all speak English fluently and read it readily. In conversation they are reticent and noncommittal. Rumors have been repeatedly circulated in Norfolk that the German officers have beep spying and gathering information for the German military machine. It is even whispered that they have detailed information aa to navy yards, forts, warships and harbors. Navy officera of the yard who have kept these men constantly under watch laugh at such charges. - Besides their activities on shipboard some of the Germans give time to farming. The com-

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

mander of the navy yard received a request from the commander of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich that the men be allowed to cultivate a small strip of land near the interned ships. It is a part of a tract acquired several years ago by the navy department for the enlargement of the navy yard, and on which a new mammoth drydock is to be built. The request was granted. A couple of acres or more were turned over to the Germans. Among the crew are farmers, who understand intensified farming. The soil of tho tract is of the richest variety. Using spades instead of plows and industriously wielding hoes, these men quickly worked a transformation. Cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, beets and turnips were planted. In another thirty days it is declared that the crop of vegetables will be sufficient to provide for all of the wants of the Germans for the rest of the summer and far into next fall. * * ' When the Kronprinz Wilhelm Interned there was an epidemic of beriberi to check. More than seventy men had the disease. Today the epidemic is practically over. Early after the internment, according to re- . ports received from the navy yard, and upon the request of the commandant of the yard, the sailors of both cruisers were lined up by their officers and given instructions that in conversation off the ship strict neutrality must be observed. They were urged not to talk of German aspirations, of German successes, and above all warned to avoid bragging. They were warned that such conduct would probably lead to difficulties with those who favor the pUjes, and would mean punishment and withdrawal of shore liberty. These instructions have been rigidly adhered to by the German sailors.

HELP WAR BABIES' MOTHERS

Mrs. Lloyd-George Is Aiding in Care of English Unfortunates. A scheme for the training in remunerative work of unmarried mothers was inaugurated recently at a meeting of Evangelical church women in the Welsh chapel, Charing Cross road. A house has been taken in a small country town, at the foot of the Wiltshire downs, where 14 young women will shortly be received. It is intended that each girl shall learn domestic crafts, gardening, or poultry rearing. The instruction will be given in the course of the ordinary work of the house, commencing before and continuing after the child is born. Doctor Saleeby said that it was a sign of progress that in a Calvinistic chapel people should consider the claims of the unmarried mother, and he characterized the work that was about to be undertaken not only as religious, but as hygienic in the highest sense of the word. "In so far as you save a single young mother from the life of the streets,” he said, “you are protecting the future generation from indescrible evils.” Mrs. Lloyd-George, who is deeply interested in the experiment of caring for unmarried mothers on constructive lines, was unable to attend the meeting, having been called into the country to see her little girl, who is ill. With many others interested in social welfare, she feels that more could be done to reclaim young mothers if a course of training could be given to them on broader and more interesting lines than those of the past. The home, which is picturesquely called "The Retreat,” will have these ideals before it in all its various activities.—London Chronicle.

“Isn’t this the third time I’ve seen you on this particular stretch of highway?” “Yes,” replied Plodding Pete. "I ain’t got no place to travel. There's a gang of men fixing the road a mile ahead and another a mile back. Blither one of ’em is sure to offer me work if I come near enough.”

NONE TO LEAVE.

For some reason best known to the female of the species, the engagement was off. “Leave my presence!" she exclaimed fat a tone redolent with indignation. "W-why,” stammered the young man in the parlor scene, "you n-never gave me any p-pre* enta.” : ; f;

POCKETED.

Folk We Touch In Passing

By Julia Chandler Many

<g) 4? MSCLURE MEW3PAPER HynDtCACtß' (IS

A MATTER OF INDIVIDUALITY

“But what about Dick?” queried The-Mother-of-Three, the indignation which stirred her tender heart creeping into her voice. “Why,” answered The-Mother-of-One a bit impatiently, “have I not just told you that I made up my mind when Dick was born that he should be a great artist. I think it will be just too lovely to be pointed out as the mother of a renowned painter, don’t you?” “But,” reiterated The-Mother-of-Three, “what about Dick? How do you know that he is artistically gifted ? How do you know that he will have the ability to become a great painter? Whatever may be his gifts you must remember that they are God-given. And he has a right to travel tne road to which they point, even as you have a right to be yourself. “Why," she asked, "how dare you say that Dick will be a great painter, and to boast of the pride yqu shall feel as his mother?” . The clear-seeing eyes of the speaker flashed their indignation, and her usually gentle voice took on an unwonted sternness, for this matter of individuality was one in which she was much interested. “Maybe you have made up your mind to make an artist out of Dick,” she

"What,” She Asked In a Frightened Voice, "What Am I to Do?"

continued, “but God made up his mind first. And if God intended your boy to sell lumber or do something equally as unesthetic you may make up your mind all you want to but he’ll never be an artist.” "Nonsense,” said The-Mother-of-One. “Why Dick is in art school now. Everybody knows that any artistic accomplishment is just the knack of sticking at it. If Dick keeps on working at his art from now until he is through high school he ought to be ready by then to do something really worth while.” She thought she had scored heavily for The-Mother-of-Three was silent. Foolish, deluded little Mother-of-One! "I had an only brother,” said The-Mother-of-Three with apparent irrelevance. “My mother ruined his life. No two children are ever alike. Nature fashions each from an individual design and throws away , the pattern. She cut my brother out of exquisite material. She attuned his whole being to music. He heard melody in everything. By virtue of his genius he should have been educated a musician, but my mother had an Idea that musicians are poverty-stricken, erraticfolk, and her dreams for my brother were lined with dollars. She made up her mind when he was born that he Bhould be a big figure in the financial world, and so she ignored the clamor of his soul, the cry of his individuality, and trained him for a commercial life. Because he was a brave, dutiful lad he obeyed my mother’s wishes and today he is an unsuccessful business man, working for other people in an office where each day is more miserable than the one before; the purpose of his creation thwarted by a mother's egotism and self-love,” ended The-Mother-of-Three with a sob. "And you mean —” "Yes,’’ said The-Mother-of-Three, "I

mean just that. Of course it is possible that your Dick was born with the divine Are of genius. If so you are right to give him his chance. But you don’t know! You are not sending him to art school because you have studied his natural bent and determined to help it in its growth. “YOU ARB SENDING HIM BECAUSE YOU MADE UP YOUR MIND YEARS AGO THAT IT WOULD BE GRATIFYING TO YOU TO BE POINTED OUT AS THE MOTHER OF AN ARTIST. “You decided what he was to be before he had a chance to express his own inclinations, and through the years of his growth you are stunting him physically by shutting him up in an art school in the belief that he will one day satisfy your vanity. “The boy may, through years of study, become a mediocre artist, but if God did not peculiarly endow him with an artistic soul in the years that are to come Dick will never forgive you, down in his heart of hearts, and he will cry out in his bondage all the days of his life.” The-Mother-of-One was too startled to be angry. “What,” she asked in a frightened voice, “what am I to do?” “Stop the art lessons for a time at least. Give the time they have been

occupying to out-of-door play, and while the lad grows and develops physically watch the wonderful unfolding of his own individuality. It will be a revelation to you.” "And while he grows,” The-Mother-of-Three went on to advise, “make no effort to turn him into channels that are not his own. Don’t try to force him into being what you would like to have him. If he is intended to paint pictures, and become a great artist, you will find it out. And if he was intended to follow a commercial life you will know in plenty of time. One thing is certain; he would make a success of neither the one nor the other under compulsion.” The speaker’s face was aglow with hope and enthusiasm, for at last she saw that The-Mother-of-One had gained a full comprehension of hoW wicked a thing it is to interfere with the intentions of God in the matter of a human life.

Camera as a Side Arm.

The ideal machine to wear and carry with you at all times (and to get the best pictures you must keen your machine with you) must be light, with a lens capable of working at not less than F-63 and a high-shutter speed for quick work where desired. The picture taken must be large enough so that one will not have to enlarge everything. If you have your machine with you, you will sometimes see chances to get a deer or other wild creature, but if you go back to camp for it your opportunity will be gone. If you are to have it with you at all times, ltd must be light and compact. The vest-pocket cameras are exW cellent little machines, but do not answer my purpose, the picture they{ take being too small without meat, mid they have no abutter speed? (only one-fiftieth at a second^—Out*