THE CONCENTRATION . CAMPS. [TO THE EDITOR OP THZ " SPECTATOR."]
SIE,..-S0 much has been implied lately as to the unwilling- ness of the authorities in South Africa to let the public know the exact condition of the women and children in the concen- tration camps that I feel it only right to express publicly my indebtedness to all the officials with whom I have come in contact, who have made it so easy for me to visit and stay in any of these camps. I came out as some others have done,— to help any who needed it, British and Boer. In Cape. Town I visited many of the British refugees, and then through the kindness of those in power I was permitted to travel up country. Every facility was given me to go where I wished, to ascertain any information I required, and to help where I felt inclined to do so. Without exception I found all most courteous and ready to aid me in every possible way. Nothing was withheld I wished to know, and as for keeping the truth from the public, the desire was that the facts should be known. The impression left on my mind is that the officials have been most anxious to make the people as com- fortable as possible under the circumstances and to save the lives of the children. A letter is before me from a camp nurse who has lately gone to the Transvaal. She writes : "All the children came up this morning so nicely, dressed to get cakes and sweets (for Christmas), and I was most agree_ ably surprised to see them look so neat and well cared for." I have received other testimonials of a like nature from those who are in camps I have not visited. I do not feel I can with- hold the thanks which are due to the many who have done their utmost to make a naturally fatiguing journey—owing to the inconveniences of tent life—one of deep interest and never- to-be-forgotten gratitude for kindnesses shown me in South
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