Show ji 1 r l o v t r r. f i 7 1 L f 7 t r w w wr r I Italian W War r Prisoners at Ogden i Pr resent Present sent Picture of Health Continued from Local Page The officer is assisted by byone byone byone one American first sergeant one mess sergeant one supply sergeant sergeant sergeant ser ser- geant one company clerk one cook one messenger and one general general gen gen- general eral utility clerk Have Own Noncoms In turn prisoners are commanded command command- ed by their own noncommissioned officers composed of a first sergeant sergeant ser ser- sergeant geant four platoon serg sergeants ants and I 16 squad leaders as well as cooks helpers mechanics s hospital orderlies orderlies order order- lies shoemakers and so on olt The prisoners have one regimental regimental regimental regi regi- mental leader a maggiore maggiore maggiore mag- mag giore who was a paymaster in inthe inthe inthe the Italian army Colonel Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence Law Law- rence said he is an ef efficient In Intelligent intelligent in- in intelligent soldier and has done much to help officers and prisoners prisoners prisoners pris pris- find a common understand understand- ing In watching their activities and trooping through their barracks canteens and mess kitchens the party found them to be late They take great pride the colonel said in making their quarters quarters quarters spick and span Their quarters quarters quarters fairly shine in orderly neat neat- ness Housing and sanitary conditions provided prisoners are identical with those of the American troops Clothing consists of obsolete or or renovated uniforms re and altered so that it could not be mistaken for an American un uni- uni 1 form For the most part their own uniforms were tattered However However However How How- ever they cling to them with fierce pride If a prisoners prisoner's shoes are inadequate inadequate inadequate quate he is issued a pair of regulation regulation regulation regu regu- lation U. U S S. S army shoes He of course is provided with denim work clothes Winter clothing will be issued when needed Four prisoners former cobblers in civilian life Ufe were working inthe in iii inthe the camp shoe repair shop Colonel Colonel Colonel Colo Colo- nel Lawrence said the American shoes are far superior to the Italian Italian Ital Ital- Italian ian issue and preferred by the men Standard Food Rations Their food is standard U U. S army field ration modified to suit their tastes For instance they do not care for as much meat as the American soldier They frown on American bread preferring their own bake Foods are highly seasoned Spaghetti and macaroni still are aret favorites They would like wine but this is not given U. U S. S soldiers so they make the best of it Mess halls are decorated with paper streamers and they observe the various Italian holidays with special dinners skimping on their daily rations to do so Garbage is less than at regular army arlly kitch kitch- ens The camp has a hospital with normal capacity of beds but this has been enlarged by 40 and internees get the same medical and dental attention as prescribed for American soldiers At the present time beds are occupied occupied occupied pied since many of the prisoners are suffering from chronic malaria malaria ma ma- laria contracted in Africa The hospital and attendant dispensaries dispensaries dispensaries dis dis- dis- dis are staffed by 10 U. U S. S medical officers one dental officer officer officer one medical administrative officer and one army nurse corps officer Enlisted personnel totals 14 men Twenty-nine Twenty prisoners are used Malaria Major Dise Disease se seOne One ward had been inspected by the tour when the party decided to leave but the army nurse objected objected ob ob- saying the other ward was expecting to meet the visitors and would be disappointed if it was ignored Except for malaria health of the prisoners is good Each four companies of prisoners prison prison- ers has a recreation hall and a a. shop building Men have been provided with wilh sports equipment and games The depot has sup sup- plied d them with musical instruments instruments instruments ments and one band has been organized organized organized or or- engaged at the present time in learning voluntarily all an the American pieces they can The national anthem is a favorite officers officers of of- say One One company company is in rehearsal for fora a vaudeville show Two of the recreation halls have radios and phonographs A prisoner victory garden of 40 acres and many smaller ones near barracks are operated Produce is consigned to the quartermaster subsistence section to replace regular reg reg- regular ular ration items Canteens Popular Canteens are are popular with the themen men and they redeem their work coupons for candy ice cream and various toilet articles s. s Fruit any kind is the largest seller Because candy is limited t td civilians it is rationed at the canteens Other scarce items likewise are restricted or eliminated eliminated eliminated entirely Mailing privileges include the sending of two letters and one postcard weekly Exceptions are made at the discretion of the com corn mander mender Prisoners like soldiers enjoy free mailing privileges One prepaid cable or telegram can be besent besent besent sent monthly In summing up the camp facilities facilities facil facil- Colonel Lawrence said Ive been soldiering 30 years and Ive I've never seen such good hous hous- ing Approximately 50 per cent of ot the prisoners are married with wives and families living in Italy or in Italian possessions For the most part they have expressed a desire to bring their families it if it were possible to live Jive in the United States after the war Of the unmarried prisoners one of the most frequent questions asked is whether hether they would be acceptable as husbands to American Ameri Ameri- can girls Morale of or the prisoners is high and they appreciate the good treat treat- i ment they receive From a religious standpoint they are extremely deI devout de de- de- de I vout and show pleas pleasure re at attend attend- ing in services 1 Time and again they have have expressed ex expressed ex- ex pressed themselves to camp officers officers officers cers as being happy to die be e out of the war Many have told of terrIble terrible terrible terri terri- ble sufferings in the African campaigns campaigns cam cam- where food and clothing were difficult to obtain and living conditions generally were bad They are proud of their barracks They appear to have a loyal national national national na na- na- na spirit but are said to feel they were betrayed by Mussolini Americans are respected highly Their only sorrow appears to be that they are not riot with their lies Ues Officers rs reported there are several several sev sev- several eral who are resentful at being held prisoners and show hatred for America but ut that the number is surprisingly low for belligerents Occasionally one of the Italians captured early in the war will bring up a point on procedure These men who have had time to learn a smattering of ot English and andare andare andare are acquainted with terms of ot the Geneva conference are termed barracks lawyers by other prisoners prisoners prisoners pris pris- and American officers Cost of constructing the prison camp was approximately |