that he thought it would be best if only three or four delegates
from the camp committee were to discuss matters directly with
the overseers. He expressed his views and compared the
management of the camp with the administration of a town of
10,000 inhabitants. Too many participants might only render the
work of the overseers more arduous. He therefore suggested that
at the meetings of the overseers, the select committee of the
camp committee should consist of from three to four gentlemen
with deciding votes. The suggestion was accepted. Thereupon the
Baron informed the meeting that Messrs. Butcher, Klingender, and
Stern had been proposed. In reply to this, Mr. Delmer, chairman
of the camp committee, said that from among the eight men whose
names had been submitted, three or four should from time to time
be chosen as delegates according to their special knowledge and
the business to be transacted. After a short discussion it was
agreed, upon the proposal of Mr. Powell, that three or four
gentlemen should, as delegates from the camp committee, take
part in a general meeting of overseers to be held once a
fortnight. At these meetings a strict account of the work of the
overseers during the interval should be rendered. On the
proposal of the chairman, Mr. Delmer, it was further agreed that
delegates of the camp committee should have the right at all
times to require the overseers to furnish explanations of any
incidents affecting the interests of the camp. A motion of the
chairman, which was also approved by the Baron, was to the
effect that, in order to spare the overseers' committee time and
trouble, any incidents occurring in the camp should be
thoroughly sifted and investigated by the camp committee, and
then reported to the administration as soon as possible by a
single competent deputy through the overseers.
The presiding overseer welcomed a further motion by the
chairman, Mr. Delmer, which was as follows: In the interests of
the necessary reciprocity, a delegate of the overseers should
attend the meetings of the camp committee.
Mr. Klingender drew attention to the two points contained in the
camp committee's letter to Baron von Taube. The Baron said he
agreed with the contents of the letter.
At the conclusion the chairman (Mr. Delmer) remarked that the
camp committee had been formed with a view to beneficial
co-operation with the overseers, and for the advancement of the
existing organisation, and that it intended loyally to carry out
this principle, of which words the Baron graciously took note.
The chairman (Mr. Delmer) then expressed his hearty thanks in
the name of the assembled members of the camp committee to the
Baron for his presence and for the consideration he had kindly
given to the arrangement, whereupon the Baron said that he would
be very pleased personally from time to time to take part in the
meetings of the camp committee.
Baron von Taube then closed the meeting.
The secretary announced that he had laid a copy of the minutes
before the Baron, who had kindly accepted and signed it, and
had, with his own hand, written on it the words, "Have taken
note of the minutes and agree on all points."
The chairman greeted Mr. Fischer, overseer of hut 3, who was
present as delegate of the overseers. The meeting proceeded to
discuss the following matters:
LATRINES FOR INVALIDS.--At the last meeting the camp committee
had requested a member to procure information on this matter.
Mr. Fischer reported that the small latrine between huts 3 and 4
(which was formerly intended for women) should be used for this
purpose. A door with a lock would be put in. Permits would
probably be issued by the doctor or his representative. The
overseers had for a long time striven to obtain permission for
the sick to use the water closets, but these for the most part
were not in the premises which were at the disposal of the
military authorities, and therefore could not, even on payment,
be opened. He would again inquire if it were not possible to
obtain a closed water closet for the sick.
POSTAL MATTERS.--Questions concerning the postal regulations
and the censoring of letters were brought up. A member expressed
his intention of obtaining precise information and of reporting
thereon.
OUTBREAK OF DIARRHOEA.--It was announced that 78 cases had
occurred at hut 1.[20] Mr. Fischer was asked whether the number
of cases in each hut was known to the overseers. He replied that
they had furnished a report on the previous day. It was
suggested that in such a case the overseers might with advantage
seek the assistance of the delegates of the camp committee, and
especially in the present case, as the overseers were much
occupied with other work, and could not collect complete
statistics.
BREAD.--The question of the quality of the bread was raised; it
was alleged that bread insufficiently baked and bread which
consisted of remains insufficiently ground together was
sometimes distributed. As 2,000 of the prisoners were penniless,
the question was one of great importance. Mr. Fischer said that
bread of inferior quality, if returned immediately, would be
exchanged.
YOUTHS UNDER 17 YEARS OF AGE.--It was alleged that not all the
prisoners under 17 years of age had yet taken the necessary
steps to obtain their release. The meeting, however, thought
that it was the presence of young sailors, for whose release
repeated application had been made, that had produced this
impression. These sailors, however, were in quite a different
position from the civilian prisoners. Civilian prisoners under
17 were released. The overseers had the matter under
consideration.
WASHING.--Mr. Whitwell had taken cast-off clothing from the
rubbish-box. He had had them washed, and found that they were
still serviceable. In his opinion, the whole of the camp washing
could be done by two machines costing about 60M. each. Mr.
Fischer observed that the overseers had given this matter their
attention, but that great difficulties would arise if any
proposals adverse to the concessions granted by the military
authority to private concerns were to be made.
The meeting was then adjourned.
We may next cite an unofficial statement:
STATEMENT RESPECTING CONDITIONS AT RUHLEBEN COMMUNICATED TO HOME
OFFICE BY TWO RELEASED CIVILIANS ON MARCH 18, 1915.
Mr. John P. Bradshaw, of Ballymoney, co. Antrim, and Mr. William
David Coyne, of Ballyhaunis, co. Mayo, both British subjects,
arrived in England on the March 15, having just been released
from detention at Ruhleben on account of their unfitness for
military service.
The following statement has been made by them to the Home
Office:
They were examined by the Camp Doctor, and released as unfit for
military service.
A fortnight ago all who considered themselves unfit were invited
to send their names in with a statement of the grounds of
unfitness.
A week later all were asked to state where they would go if
released from Ruhleben, but few of the real British subjects
were anxious to be released now unless they can leave Germany
because of the bitterness against England.[21]
Since March 7 a very important change has taken place in the
food supply to the prisoners; thanks to investigations by
Rittmeister von Müller, the caterer has been dispensed with. It
is believed in the camp that the United States authorities
prompted these investigations.
The German authorities provide bread which is of better quality
than formerly. The allowance is over half a pound per man per
day, i.e., more than the civilian population is allowed, but it
is believed that a regulation has been made, though not yet
brought into force, to reduce the bread allowance to correspond
with that allowed to persons outside the camp. Bread is no
longer purchaseable at the canteen.
The Government allows 60 pfennige (just over 7d.) per head for
the rest of the food. The canteen committee buys 100 grammes of
meat (gristle, bone, etc., included) per man per day. Pork is
much used, then comes mutton, and, more rarely, beef.
The meat is cooked in the soup and each man is given a piece
about the size of a cutlet with his soup at midday. The spare
pieces are divided amongst the men from the last barracks to be
served; the barracks take it in turn to be last.
On one day a week dinner consists of a piece of sausage and rice
and prunes.
A piece of sausage is now served with the evening tea or coffee.
This sausage is bought out of the savings under the new system.
The rest of the savings on the catering and the profit on the
sales at the canteen go towards providing clothes, etc., for the
poorest men in the camp.
The meat is inspected by two of the prisoners, one a veterinary
surgeon and the other a butcher; it is cooked by ships' cooks
who are interned, and served by men chosen from among the
prisoners. The food is said to be well cooked and the meals
quite appetising, at any rate when compared with the previous
régime.
The two men named above received all parcels sent to them.
Formerly parcels took about four weeks to reach the camp from
England, but now they arrive in ten to twelve days.
The officials are scrupulously honest as regards money owned by
or sent to the prisoners, except that they pay out in paper or
silver, whereas they took in gold. Money is paid out to those
prisoners who have an account at the rate of 20M. per fortnight,
but an extra 20M. can be obtained for the purchase of boots,
clothes, etc., if shown to be necessary.
The correspondence regulations are now that one postcard with
nine lines of writing may be sent each week, and two letters,
each of four pages of notepaper may be sent per month. In
addition, business letters may be sent to any reasonable extent.
A dramatic society has been started and recently gave its first
performance, Shaw's "Androcles and the Lion." Admission was
free, but seats cost from 20 to 40 pfennigs, not according to
the position of the seat, but according to the means of the
purchaser.
Baron von Taube and Graf von Schwerin make a point of being
present at all entertainments organised by the prisoners, and
make a short speech of thanks at the end. Since the trouble over
the food has been settled the relations between the officials
and the prisoners have greatly improved.
A month ago all British colonial subjects were re-arrested and
interned. [Miscel. No. 7. (1915). P. 81.]
We now come to the official U.S. report of June 8, 1915, with
accompanying letters. [Miscel. No. 13 (1915)]
_Mr. Page, United States Ambassador at London, to Sir Edward
Grey._ (Received June 15.)
The American Ambassador presents his compliments to His
Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the
honour to transmit, herewith enclosed, a copy of a letter he has
received from the Embassy at Berlin, dated the 8th inst.,
enclosing a report made by Mr. G. W. Minot upon the conditions
at present existing in the British civil internment camp at
Ruhleben.
Mr. Gerard has added a postscript expressing the hope that this
report may be published together with his covering letter.
American Embassy, London,
June 14, 1915.
The need for publication was obvious in view of the character of the
rumours circulated in this country, but, unfortunately, when published
as a Government White Paper, such a report falls into but few hands,
while newspaper extracts from the White Papers can, in general, scarcely
be described as selected without bias.
ENCLOSURE 1.
_Mr. Gerard to Mr. Page._
American Embassy,
Berlin, June 8, 1915.
Sir,--I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a triplicate
copy of a report made by Mr. G. W. Minot upon conditions at
present existing in the British civil internment camp at
Ruhleben, Spandau. In connection with this I beg to say that the
devotion to duty and uniform kindness of all the camp
authorities has been wonderful and the relations of our Embassy
with them always most agreeable. It is impossible to conceive of
better camp commanders than Graf Schwerin and Baron Taube.--I
have, etc.,
JAMES W. GERARD.
The last sentence is noteworthy. Commendation of the Camp Commanders
could not be more emphatic.
ENCLOSURE 2.
_Mr. Minot to Mr. Gerard._
June 3, 1915.
Sir,--I have the honour to submit to you the following report
upon various improvements which have taken place in the civil
internment camp for British prisoners at Ruhleben-bei-Spandau
since the month of November, 1914:
Of the 4,500 British civil prisoners interned in Germany,
approximately 4,000 are at this date held at Ruhleben, the
remaining 500 being scattered in small detachments in various
other internment camps. The German Government have arranged
that these detachments shall be absorbed by Ruhleben, so that
within a few months all the British civil prisoners interned in
Germany will be in Ruhleben. The difficulty of enlarging the
facilities of Ruhleben and the necessary precautionary measures
of quarantining have made the process of combination a long one,
but there is every reason to believe that it will soon be
completed.
The increase in the number of prisoners at Ruhleben has
necessitated substantial additions to the barracks, most of
which were overcrowded at the beginning of the war. Eight new
barracks of one storey have been erected (four being already
occupied), affording accommodation for 120 men each. These
barracks are substantially built of wood, with well-set floors
and large windows. The roofs have been waterproofed with tarred
paper, and the walls stained to resist the rain.[22] In the four
new barracks which are now occupied a small room for the guard
has been added, but in the new barracks this has been considered
unnecessary, as it is hoped that the guards in the barracks at
night may shortly be dispensed with. The last new barracks has
been built with a special view towards housing convalescent or
delicate persons. Partitions have been erected so as to cut up
the barrack into small divisions, and two water-closets have
been installed. A new washhouse for these barracks has been
erected, with shower baths and washing troughs.
The construction of the new barracks, the transfer of some
hundred persons to Dr. Weiler's sanatorium, and the release of
about a hundred persons have made it possible largely to reduce
the crowded conditions of the "obens," or lofts, of the old
barracks. Twenty per cent. of the occupants of these "obens"
have been removed, and it is estimated that when the new
barracks are fully occupied another 55 per cent. will be removed
from the obens, so that only a quarter of the original occupants
will be left there.
The most signal improvement which has been effected in the last
two months has been the permission afforded the prisoners to use
the ground encircled by the race-track for the hours from 8 a.m.
to 12 noon and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The space thus gained is
approximately 200 yards by 150 yards, and affords a splendid
field for all kinds of games. Materials for the various sports
have been provided by the camp, including the laying out of a
football field and a small golf course. This ground has provided
a chance for every interned prisoner to take part in some form
of good out-of-door exercise or for those who so desire to move
out their chairs to the field to watch the games. Permission to
use the grandstands from 8 a.m. to 8-30 p.m. has further been
obtained. As the stands are of modern brick and cement
construction, a large enclosed hall is formed underneath the
tiers of seats. In this hall a stage has been erected and a
complete theatre installed with scenery, dressing-rooms,
orchestra, etc. Performances, varying from Shakespeare to
musical shows, are given practically every night. The betting
boxes have been boarded up to afford small rooms for study,
musical practice, etc. In other parts of this building space has
been allotted for a carpenter's shop, a tailor's shop, barber
and cobbler's shop. The grandstand tiers have been turned over
to the educational department for schools and lectures, which
are systematically conducted. Black-boards and other materials
have been provided for the department.
A favourable account of Dr. Weiler's sanatorium follows. About this
sanatorium individual expressions of opinion have varied.
Mr. Minot's report next gives a list of improvements effected at
Ruhleben, under such headings as _Laundry_, _Whitewashing_, _Beds_,
_Dentist_, _Business Post_, etc. The report then proceeds:
It can be seen from the above that very considerable
improvements have been effected at Ruhleben. Graf Schwerin,
Baron Taube, and the other camp authorities have done everything
in their power to bring about these improvements, and have been
materially helped throughout by the camp captains.
The effect produced has been a general improvement in the
physical and moral condition of the camp. In general the health
of the prisoners can be said to be excellent, practically no
cases of contagious or infectious diseases, barring a mild
epidemic of German measles, having occurred. The improvement in
the food and the increased possibilities of the purchase of
additional nourishment from the outside, have nearly silenced
all complaints.
The work is still constantly progressing, and it is fair to
state that the conditions are steadily, if slowly, improving.
I am submitting to you, herewith, a plan of Ruhleben, upon which
are marked the various buildings and locations mentioned in this
report. I have further included a selection of programmes of the
various entertainments, sports, etc., which have taken place in
the camp.--I have, etc.,
G. W. MINOT.
The following two extracts are also of some significance. The first is
from the _Times_, the second is from the _Daily Telegraph_ of June 18,
1915. The suspension of correspondence was due to some demonstration on
the part of the prisoners.
Sir,--It may perhaps interest some of those who are feeling
anxious about the treatment of their relatives at Ruhleben to
hear that we have direct evidence of kindly action and
consideration for the prisoners on the part of the German
authorities at a date later than that at which the regular
postal communication was suspended.--I am faithfully yours,
A PARENT OF A PRISONER.
February 17.
We received the following from the Press Bureau last night:
"A statement recently appeared in a letter to an organ of the
Press to the effect that it was inadvisable to send parcels to
civilian prisoners interned at Ruhleben in view of the heavy
charges made on delivery.
"Information has now been received from the United States
Ambassador at Berlin that no such charges have been made for the
delivery of parcels at Ruhleben, but for a short time certain
prisoners who had been temporarily released and sent to a
sanatorium were charged duty on parcels sent to them there. This
matter was, however, satisfactorily adjusted in a very short
time, and duty is no longer charged on parcels to such
prisoners."
In the early autumn of 1915 civilian self-government was fully
established at Ruhleben. Writing on October 16, Mr. Page remarks: "The
administration of the camp to-day is entirely in the hands of the
prisoners themselves. There are no guards in the barracks, and all
internal arrangements, including discipline, are in the hands of the
camp and barrack captains." [Miscel. No. 3 (1916), p. 4.]
A CONTROVERSY.
White Paper Miscel. No. 3 (1916) is in many ways rather important to the
student of internment. It affords some evidence of the kind of mental
friction developing in all internment camps, and it makes clear that
prisoners' statements often need to be subjected to impartial outside
investigation. There is not space, however, to enter fully into details
here. The paper opens with a report on Ruhleben camp "compiled by a
British subject recently released," and forwarded by Sir Edward Grey to
Mr. Gerard through Mr. Page. It is complained that the distance from the
new barracks to the wash-houses is "in some cases over 200 yards." Mr.
Page points out by reference to a scale map that "in every case the
wash-houses are nearer than 60 yards from the barracks, and not at a
distance of 200 yards, as stated. The barracks which are not diagrammed
on this map have their own washing appliances." Mr. Page writes further:
"The open space beneath the central tribune has not been, as stated in
the report transmitted by the British Foreign Office, used for every
conceivable purpose, but has been enclosed entirely for recreation
purposes, religious services, lectures, debates, etc.... I cannot see
how the introduction of [the] cinema show has in the least affected the
comfort of the hall." "With regard to whitewashing, this was done in all
of the barracks at the expense of the camp fund, and not, as stated, at
the cost of those interned at the barracks. Extra whitewashing, borders,
etc., were naturally paid for at the private expense. No measures were
taken for exterminating mosquitoes for the reason that it has been found
impossible to procure petroleum in Germany for the purpose." Three
internees who tried to escape were in consequence imprisoned, and are
stated in the report transmitted by the British Foreign Office to be
starving. Mr. Gerard writes: "I visited Messrs. Ettlinger, Ellison and
Kirkpatrick at the Stadtvogtei-Gefängnis about three weeks ago, and
heard from them that they had no complaint to make about the food. They
are now allowed to receive parcels and money from the outside, and are
no longer in solitary confinement. The limitation of exercise to half
an hour seems regrettable, but owing to their attempt to escape, I fear
that it will be impossible to obtain a change until their sentence
expires."
The report forwarded to Mr. Gerard says:
It would be of material benefit to the interned if a
representative of the United States Embassy could call at the
Camp fortnightly, and receive complaints direct from prisoners,
without the inevitable presence of the captains [i.e., the
internees' own captains] in the room.
Mr. Gerard replies:
A representative of this Embassy has visited the camp at
Ruhleben (with the exception of the time when the camp was first
formed) certainly on an average of more than once a fortnight,
and it has been possible for any prisoners to speak to him
without the presence of the captains. For the past few months
the camp has been visited once a week if not more often. In
addition to this Mr. Powell, sometimes accompanied by other
captains of the camp, has visited this Embassy regularly once a
week for consultation with me.
"I wish again to reiterate," says Mr. Page, "that Count Schwerin, Baron
Taube and the other officers in charge of the camp, are all kindly and
considerate gentlemen, who do everything within their power to help the
prisoners."
But the real quarrel was not with Count Schwerin or Baron Taube (of whom
all seem to speak well), but with the English captains and their
management. The financial statements and the distributions effected by
the captains are adversely criticised by the released British subject.
He adds, somewhat acidly:
It would be a kindness to the captains and to the camp if the
Government could convey to them a message informing them that
they are public men holding important and responsible positions,
and that public men must allow criticism and seek to profit by
it.
Here we get to the root of the matter. The original "Camp Committee"
was (to quote Mr. Gerard's words) "disbanded by the order of the
military authorities in February last (1915), because of its refusal to
co-operate with the captains and its insistence upon publishing notices
and minutes of its meetings after it had been forbidden to do so."[23]
This "Camp Committee" continued to object to the financial arrangement
and the general administration of Mr. Powell and the other captains, and
pressed their objections upon the Ambassador on August 23, 1915. "I
thereupon suggested that perhaps the best way would be to refer the
matter to a general election. To this the 'Camp Committee' demurred, and
upon my asking what suggestion they had to proffer appeared to consider
that they, a self-constituted body, should be given charge of the camp
by me. This proposition I naturally rejected, especially as the members
of this self-appointed committee were, although very estimable
gentlemen, _personæ non gratæ_ both to the majority of the prisoners and
to the military authorities.... A final decision of the question as to
whether the present government of Ruhleben is representative or not is
to be found in the election of September 15, 1915, when every one of the
captains at that time in authority was re-elected. The occasion was
caused by the decision of the military authorities to withdraw the
soldiers from the camp, and the captains therefore considered it
desirable that they should appeal to the camp for decision as to whether
it was wished that they should continue the government or not. I cannot
see that any further proof is required as to whether the captains
represent the feelings of the majority of the camp."