WOUNDED BRITISH PRISONERS.
[TO TUX EDITOR Or THY "SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—Once more another batch of invalided prisoners has returned to England, and the account of their lives in the German prison camps is reaching their fellow-countrymen. Amidst the grim iteration of what is now an "ancient tale of wrong," one element of comparative consolation is nevertheless apparent. It is evident that the parcels of food sent from this country, when properly packed and addressed, do reach their destination: while the importance of these supplies is proved in the last Report on the camps signed by the American Embassy, Mr. Jackson being told by the British privates at Gardelegen that "they lived almost entirely on the food that was sent from England."
To keep these supplies going is therefore a matter of para- mount importance, especially as the winter, the cruel winter of Germany, is almost upon. the men, many of whom have been weakened by twelve months of privations. It will, however, be increasingly difficult for some of the regiments, who are only rich in honour, to keep their men from starving. Each man should receive a fortnightly parcel of five to six shillings in value. But when it comes—as it does in one instance with valises I am only too well acquainted—to finding nine hundred five-shilling parcels twice a month few regimental funds can bear the strain. Nor can the men expect much help from their own homes. "The times are few," a soldier wrote, "that I do have comforts sent me, so yours came both as a surprise and help. Being an orphan, and my only relative married with 5 [sic], I cannot expect from that direction," and the writer was certainly not a solitary case, I am afraid there aro many such "orphanages," to use another man's quaint description of himself.
During the last six months the generosity of the public has enabled me to come to the assistance of no less than thirty Regimental Funds, and the acknowledgments of the help thus afforded are only less grateful than the postcards of the prisoners themselves. Of these postcards, and the spirit of endurance and devotion to the best traditions of English courage which they express, it is difficult to speak without emotion. After recounting the physical sufferings he had endured in his long captivity, one writer concludes :—
" We all join in kind wishes and sincere thanks to the ladies and gentlemen of your fund who will be long remembered by all here after this terrible business is over. I sincerely hope and trust our people in tho Old Country are bearing their burdens as cheerfully as wo are trying to do. Good night, and God bless you all."
We must all agree that it is worth while to help mon such as these. It is on their behalf that I venture to appeal for money to carry on the work which without further aid must shortly come to an end. As I do nothing except at the request of the regimental authorities, there can be no question of overlapping, while every shilling aubscribed goes directly to provide tinned meats, biscuits, and cheese for the men without any deductions for secretarial or postal expenses. All donations, great or small, marked "Prisoners' Fund," and addressed to me (Lady Burghclere, Gash House, Auchterarder, N.B.) will be promptly and personally acknowledged by, Sir, your obedient servant, WINIFRED BURGIIICLERE.
[Lady Burghclere's appeal would surely draw money from a stone. No doubt the pressure on our purses by appeals worthy of help is very great, but this appeal must come in the very first rank. It is a debt of honour, and as we arc not made of rock or oak, to use the phrase of Socrates, we must pay it. These gallant men were fighting our battles till evil fate o'ertook them. For us their blood was shed and their freedom lost. They were our conscripts, and we cannot leave them neglected and forlorn. If Lady Burghclore's fund were to fail, we should be disgraced as a nation.—ED. Spectator.]
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