Item 58: Internment camp diary, October 1916-October 1917 - Page 83

<p>[Page 83]</p><p>best friend, Mr Burkard. Challenged by the latter, who demanded an apology over a slander, he refused, which led to an extensive fight during which T. got thoroughly acquainted with a riding whip. Although I detest such punch-ups, of which regrettably we have more and more nowadays, one cannot hold it against a man who wants to defend himself. T., by the way, copped a thorough beating already before the war, from a naval officer in New Guinea, and doesn&rsquo;t seem to care much.</p><p>Our dictator also seems to turn more and more into an autocrat, which earned him the moniker &ldquo;The Tsar&rdquo;. When filling positions in the commission, he seems to pick his special mates and those willing to flatter him, which has caused quite some dissatisfaction. The presiding committee, unfortunately, is like putty in his hands. Even though there is no denying his many achievements on behalf of the camp, he should not abuse his power, but for his own good</p>