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Gold Ring Story |
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07
January 1944 War Prisoner
"Gift Story" is debunked. Italians bought
rings themselves from Canteen profits; Government didn't give Yule
presents
A
widely circulated rumor-gossip which said "the government gave gold
rings to each Italian prisoner of war at Camp Atterbury for
"Christmas" was refuted today with an official statement from
Camp Atterbury saying that the rings were purchased by the prisoners
with their own money.
The
rumor story, debunked by facts as most of the wild tales which make the
rounds here also are, had gained such headway that it threatened to
interfere with War Bond sales and participation in salvage campaigns.
It
is the Star's policy to disregard gossip, but the talk about the
Italians prisoners receiving Christmas gifts from the United States
Government reached such proportions that this newspaper contacted the
Public Relations office at Atterbury and requested a factual statement
on he latest example of unfounded rumor and distorted statements.
Following
is the official statement:
Get
Coupons Only
"According
to the Geneva Convention, to which this country is a signatory and
adheres to strictly, war prisoners receive compensation at the rate of
10 cents a day if not working and 80 cents a day when employed.
All money above the 80 cents per day paid by private employers
accrues in the national treasury to help maintain them.
Their earnings are given to them in the form of coupons, which
can only be used in their own canteens.
No cash is ever paid or given to them. They have no other place
to spend their coupons and their canteens naturally do a large business.
Prices are marked above cost to show a profit, consequently
earnings accrue. Since it
is entirely the war prisoner's money, which has been spent in the
canteens, these profits represent their own money, and belong to them.
"A
the end of last year, their profits were used by them for furnishings of
their quarters, band instruments, athletic equipment, etc., and a
religious ring for each man. The
United States government gave them no presents or extra allowances, and
their gifts to themselves were bought with their own money.
"This
procedure of distribution of profits is the same as followed by our own
Army Post Exchanges, who declare dividends from their profits to the
different camp units and furnish recreational equipment and activities
for the soldiers. "In brief, the Italian prisoners of war simply spent their own money, which had been earned by them in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Convention. |
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