Evening Star Newspaper, June 21, 1936, Page 7

~ BERES BLIGHTED LOT IN CAYENNE French Guiana Living Hell for Prisoners Released From Devils Island. (This ig the third and last article of a series by De Witt MacKenzie, Associated Press foreign staff writer, ‘'on his observations at Devil's Island, the French penal colony off French Guiana. A rigid offticial ban was lifted to permit MacKenzie to gather the material Jor these articles). BY DEWITT MacKENZIE. (Copyright, 1936, by the Associated Press.) CAYENNE, French Guiana, June 20. —Tragedy, stark and terrible, results from that feature of the French penal system which compels an inmate of Devils Island, once he has served his term in prison, to stay for the same length of time in Guiana—or for life ~—and make his own way. There is little employment avail- able for such a “legion of the lost” in this wholly backward and unde- veloped country with its population of some 34,000 The hundreds of lepers, who live without restrictions in Cayenne, are better off than a host of the unfor- tunates from the penitentiaries. For many of the latter there is hungry sleep on the stone sidewalks, with only dirty rags as a covering for thin, unwashed bodies. The writer has seen a man go to the electric chair, and the look of ut-| ter despair in his eyes was the look in the eyes of so-called “liberes” en- | countered here. It is not a fading| look; it does not beg for sympathy | or help; it is a mirror of hopelessness. Pive years is the minimum sen- tence imposed on criminals who are sent to this colony. After a man has | served this time in prison he is ten- tatively freed, becomes a “libere,” and must spend another five years in Guiana, on his own resources and with good conduct, before he can be | Get New Orders Capt Verner Smith and Lieut. Comdr. Karl Lange. open channels cut across the sidewalks from houses and business places. These little canals dump their noisome streams into the gutter for the rains to wash away as best they can. The street cleaning department con- | sists of a host of great, black vultures | with their horrible naked necks. | Throughout the day they circle over | the town looking for filth, or perch their ghoulish bodies on the roofs, or rehabilitated and go home. Special dispensation from Paris is possible, but the cases in which it is granted are extremely rare. Must Have Money. When a libere applies for rehabilita- tion he must be prepared to pay the costs of his trial, sometimes running to two or three thousand francs, and must have saved enough more to purchase his passage home. If a man’s prison term is more than seven years—and many sentences_are because the worst offenders against | the law are sent to Guiana—he has the balance of his life in after he is released. | French Guiana possesses virtually | no agriculture, no fisheries, no manu- | factories. Virtually all of the coun- | try is trackless bush. The few towns lie on the coast and are more or less adjuncts to the penitentiaries, and some are not even connected by high- ways. Some ten thousand people, or near- | 1y one-third of the entire population, | live here in Cayenne. This is the seat of government, and much of the employment is connected with the administration. Other livelihoods are dependent on usiness, most of it of little conse- quence, and this in turn is dependent on the administrative set-up. In| other words, most things owe theif | existence to the penal colony. There are 2,500 Liberes in Guiana, and about 2,000 of them exist in one way or another in Cayenne. The[ chances of their making a decent liv-‘ ing are infinitesimal. The majority | of them are defeated before they start. | Lucky to Have Shelter. | They tramp the streets looking for odd jobs. Everything is grist that comes to their little mills—running errands, carrying baggage, pumping water. Some of them beg. He is lucky who has some sort of food and shelter. There is another side to the pic- ture. There are touches of color on | the otherwise drab canvas. i A considerable number of the high- er-class Liberes have done quite well. | One will find fairly profitable barber shops, shoe repairing places, and various other establishments run by these men. Others, because of spe- cial knowledge or ability have se- cured good employment. i One outstanding example of suc- | cess s a man who served time for| espionage and must now spend the rest of his life in Guiana unless he is pardoned. He has built up a big business in cheap goods, and has made himself comparatively rich. It must further be said that some | of the Liberes do not wish to work, | and decline to take advantage of op- portunities. So far as Cayenne is concerned, Devils Island is a paradise by com- | parison. There are some pleasant | spots, especially 'round the adminis- tration buildings, but for the most | part it is dreary and depressing. A large section is slum area of the worst ‘ type, despite the smallness of the town, and it is here that many of the liberes make their pitiful homes. Stagnant Street Pools. Numbers of the principal streets are full of big pot-holes in which | stands stagnant water from the rains that frequently fall fiercely several times a day throughout most of the year. The buildings along these thoroughfares look dirty inside and out. The only sewers in the places are | | fearlessly carry out their tasks in the ! middle of the roads. There are virtually no amusements in the town. Four times a week pic- tures are shown in the one movie house, and on rare occasions there is some other form of entertainment in this theater. For the rest one can €0 to bed, or take a walk, or sit in the sidewalk cafe and watch the Creole girls pass by, or Jisten to the staccato hammering of the rain on the tin | roofs, if nerves can stand the strain. It is in such an atmosphere, and with such prospects, that the liberes are forced to fight their way, almost single-handed. The Salvation Army is doing all it can to help the down- and-out criminals, and there is an official drganization for assistance, but they have small means to remedy the situation. There is hope that the plight of the libere may be rectified. Meantime, there must be many & man who looks out across the waters toward Devils Island with longing eyes, wishing he were there instead of sleeping on the sidewalks of Cayenne, waiting for death. EXPLORATION FOR OIL IN SUMATRA PLANNED By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, June 20.—The Herald Tribune said today the Standard Oil Co. of California through its sub- sidiary, the Netherlands Pacific Petro- leum Co., has obtained a concession to explore for oil in Central Sumatra. The concession, it was stated, was cbiained from the Netherlands Indies government and is one of the largest on record, comprising about 1,482,000 acres, It is located on the east coast about midway between the present oil-pro- ducing region of Atjeh, at the north end of the island, and the Palembang and Djambi fields, at the south end. The name DIEHL is vour assurance of the finest fans monev ean buy. Get a DIEHL fan and vou get the best. Ask your Electrical Supplier or phone Ellmann, Inc., Agents 1427 Eye St. NN\W. Met. 6489 About 18 Models 1935 Floor Samples Reduced in Price As Long as They Last Convention Specials Phileco—RCA—Victor Grunow—Crosley SAVE AS MUCH AS $235 to 850 Trade In Your Old Radio—Terms THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., JUNE 21, 1936—PART ONE. GOODYEAR POINTS 10 ARSHIP LINE Assigns Lieut. Comdr. Lange to Training Duty on Hindenburg. Forecasting the development of a United States dirigible airship trans- port service in conjunction with the; trans-Atlantic service of Germany, the Goodyear Zeppelin Corp. has -s.flgned’; Lieut. Comdr. Karl Lange, U. S. N. R,, commander of the airship Enterprise, | which operates daily over Washington, to three weeks of training duty abosrd1 the German airship Hindenburg. | It became known that the Goodyear | company is training crews for giant airships of the Hindenburg type so that | this country will have competent per-' * LIFETIME FURNITURE sonnel available in event it goes into the airship transport service. At the same time 1t was announced that Capt. Verner Smith, one of the pllots of the Enterprise, has been as- signed as pilot of one of the six bal- loons entered in the national elimina- tion balloon race, to start from Denver, Colo., July 3. Winners of the first two places in the elimination race will rep- resent the United States in the Gordon Bennett International Trophy balloon race later in the season, To Leave Capital Tomorrow. Comdr. Lange said he will leave Washington tomorrow in a Navy air- plane from the Anacostia Naval Air Station for Lakehurst, N. J., to meet the Hindenburg. He is to make two round trips in the big German ship between Lakehurst and Frankfort and will be on duty at one or other of the bases between flights. The airship is due to leave Lakehurst Wednesday on the return trip to Germany. Comdr. Lange is to be accompanied by another airship man from the Goodyear company, it was announced. ‘They will remain with the Hindenburg through July 13 or 14, when she is ex- pected to complete her fourth trip from Germany to Lakehurst. The Goodyear Zeppelin Corp., work- ing in close co-operation with Dr. Hugo Eckener, head of the German airship transport service, has planned for es- tablishment of American airship trans- port service on a co-operative basis, but has delayed actual.construction from time to time pending the enactment by Congress of a merchant airship law which would authorize the carrying of airmail and set up regulations for in- ternational operation by airships flying the United States flag. To Form Nucleys. Crews of the six-little Goodyear airships now in operation in Washing- ton and other cities would form the nucleus of the crews of the big ships | if the program goes into effect. Comdr. Lange has had more than 8,000 hours of experience as com- mander of airships in the Goodyear | fleet. He was a student at Boston | University when the World War started | and became a member of the first| naval aviation reserve unit in the| country, going to Pensacola, Fla., for training. He responded to a call for volunteers to test balloons at Hampton Depem]fl&/e Roads Naval Air Station, Va., early in 1918 and has been connected with lighter-than-air operations almost continuously since that time. Smith also is one of the country’s veteran lighter-than-air pilots. He has more than 7,500 flying hours to his credit in balloons and airships. Museum Gets Milestone. A 200-year-old milestone on tke Potsdam road in Germany, the cir- cular part of which forms a sun- dial, has been moved to a Berlin mu- seum and a replica set up in its place. PRI T S R Hawaii Buys U. S. Vegetables. Hawaii buys each year more than $10,000,000 worth of vegetables and other food products from the main- ‘GICHNER ¢ At Great Money Savings SUITES AND PIECES FROM SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST RENOWNED QUALITY MANUFACTURERS TWIN BED SUITE .. . CLASSIC STYLE—S8 Grand Rapids-made pieces, white enamel with brown strip- ing and gold decoration—round bevel edge mirror, finish—8 proof throughout, was $335 ¢ Furniture to be ad up to a standard of quality many | years affections of it ture at s of Compare these § SOrs. ial into our Lifetime Furniture s which has been our quide Lifetime Furniture e it is some of ered to you now at such whole ) value s with any @ offerings worthy of your immediate selec SHERATON STYLE.GRAND RAPIDS SUITE SIX PIECES Honduras Mahogany is the principal wood used in ¢ Cross-band inlay on all pieces, sold mahogany po: interiors, sliding jewel trays, full dust-proof constr color hand rubbed to give a patina-like lustre, sol include dresser and vanity with mahogany hang quality plate, the chest, double bed, night table and benc. pi S originally $480, now-_ Grand Rapids-made pieces, regular stocks. 1295 FRENCH TYPE TWIN BED SUITE—enhanced with figured walnut—hand-rubbed high-quality varnish dusts 225 % EMPIRE STYLE SUITE—double bed, dresser, chest, vanity, bench and night table of Honduras Mahogany and bone-white finish. Grand Rapids- made, solid brass hardware, was $485, inow - Ei i *369 v When we mention mahogany we mean GENUINE MAHOGANY, wf connection with other cabinet woods or used exclusively. GENUINE ONLY in the West Indies, Tropical America and’on"the west coa® comménly known under the name of Philippine mahogany ARE NOT REDUCED TO ng egs, B % APARTMEN: SIZ seats; Grand ' Rap green antique v©lvet, closed silver ¢nd originally $895, now denza style bu‘’e extension pede:: $550, now —__. ther of Al MAYER & Seventh Street: Anirrors and f Mayer G Co. $239 this suite. mahogany rich brown dware. Six ne EDINING SUITE—mahogany and antique ¥hite—6 pieces—draw-end table, buffet ana 4 cairs with high-quality blue damask ids-made, was 149 CARVED TUDOR OAK DINING SUITE—I0 pieces —credenza sty buffet, chair seats covered in , cane backs, refectory table, linen cabinets, ’3 95 % CHIPPENDALE STYLE DINING SUITE—Cuban mahogany—9 i”eces, ladder-back chairs— Cre- Old English hardware—8-foot it is used in {MAHOGANY grows frica. Woods HERMITTED in our }Between D aM E farming—producing mainly cane su~ gar, which cennot be grown in mbst mainland localities. WRECKING Two city blocks in area bounded by Fourteenth Li 1] Place, C and D Streets 8.W., consisting of bank, s::hoolmgan;o)3 line stations, restaurants, stores, homes, etc. % From this demolition project we have the sale of: Bricks . * Stairs and Landings Lumber Hardware Beams Door Checks Angle Irons Wood and Gas Stoves Pipe and Fittings Bath Room Fixtures Fire Escapes Electric Fixtures Plate Glass Iron Fences Hot-Water Radiators Boilers All Low Priced for Immediate Sales H. HERFURTH, JR., Inc. Job Office: 316 14th St. S.W. Mfiropolll:ln 6107 Bureau of Engraving Bldg. land States, despite the fact that the Territory is a farming country. This iy because Hawall specializes in its Steam Radiators Mantels Doors—Sash Kitchen Sinks . . Odd Pieces e WILLIAM AND MARY CHEST— Tudor ock . . . 4 drawers panelled $120, now... CABINET DESK—Corved ook . . . spacious cabinet section . pull out desk section; was 569.75 $175, now. GOTHIC OAK CABINET—Elcho- rate rosette, lecf linenfold and hu- man- figure cary was 585 CEREMONIAL CHA IR —hand- scmely carved oak rosettes, lattice and acanthus leof . . . antique red velvet tie-on seat cushions was $265, 597_50 now. ENGLISH TYPE SECRETARY — Mople burl and birch . . . double bonnet top . . . 3 deep 555 drowers; was $85.50, mow QUEEN ANNE SECRETARY—solid walnut legs . . . English elm burl green antique fin- LIVING ROOM SUITES KARPEN MODERN SUITE—Sofa ond arm chair . . . blue texture weave . . . white leatherette pip- ing . . . horsehair fill SI |9.75 ing; wes $185, now__ KARPEN SOFA AND CHAIR— new Angora Tapestry . . . green or rust . . . 2 pillows at sofa ends . horsehair filling . . . solid walnut legs, réduced $|39-50 SQUARE BACK SUITE—horsehair filling . . . green texture weave fabric . . . Grand Rapids made . . . receding arms, origi- nally $205, now. KARPEN TWO-PIECE SUITE— suitable for @ modern or traditional living room . . . texture weave covering . ., . horsehair $|39 fifling; was $215, now.. DOWN CUSHION SUITE—Karpen make . . . horsehair filling . . . soft, down seat cushions . . . un- usually high grade rust damask with wavy diagonal stripes; was $365, now. 5265 SOFA ONLY—Grond Rapids make . . . horsehair filling . . . cut back arms . . . Lowson type, new tex- ture weove fabric, reduced 585 to.. —