parts have also sent Christmas gifts to the camps nearest them.
I enclose extracts from letters from Fräulein Jens, of Hamburg,
and Frau Kirchhoff, of Bremen, which I put at your disposal. The
Berlin Committee of the Women's Suffrage Union has done the same
for Döberitz, and other Committees in South and West Germany
have also carried out similar work. It is of particular interest
to note that the request that German women might remember the
prisoners of war in such a way came from a German soldier at the
front. The ladies were already planning something of the sort,
and would certainly have done it; but still, such a request, so
heartily and earnestly expressed, is remarkable.
From Frau Senator Kirchhoff, December 28, 1915:
The camp at Achim, near Bremen, in the province of Hanover, is
called Etelsen Moor. Frau Schmitt and I finished off everything
in one day, and early on the 23rd we drove out with two large
trunks and three cardboard boxes. Altogether we had collected
536 marks; 190 went to Frau Feist, 100 marks cash went to the
camp at Etelsen. Our trunks contained 40 flannel shirts and 40
pairs of pants, 40 pairs of slippers, 32 pairs of socks,
mittens, helmets, scarves, 1,000 cigars, 100 cakes of chocolate,
25 note-books, 50 pencils, 50 blotters, drawing paper, india
rubber, calendars, etc. Three prisoners--two Belgian and one
Frenchman--came with two wheelbarrows; they were accompanied by
two German non-commissioned officers. The men were exceedingly
pleased: the German soldier said they had long been wishing to
give the men presents and were happy that we had made it
possible for them to do so. Afterwards I received two charming
letters; one from the Commandant, who thanked me very heartily.
They had been able to give every prisoner--chiefly Belgians and
French, but also Russians and one Englishman--a present. He
enclosed a touching, grateful letter from a Belgian prisoner, an
adjutant, and a programme of their Christmas theatricals. I have
seldom been so glad about anything as I am that this has been a
success.
From Fräulein Jens, December 30, 1915. Work at Hamburg.
We had altogether about 400 marks, and out of this fund 100
parcels containing each about 3 marks worth of goods were
purchased and handed over with 100 marks in money--for sick and
needy prisoners--into the care of the camp chaplain. He took the
opportunity of explaining in our presence to three of the camp
"Captains," an Englishman, a Frenchman and a Russian, the object
of the gift. They were greatly touched and most grateful. The
Englishman thanked us in the name of his country. We were only
sorry that we could not do far, far more, but if even this
little is a seed of corn which may in the future bring forth
thoughts of reconciliation between the nations we shall be
happy. Our presents were given for the New Year, as it is the
custom for English and French to make presents then....
SOME THANKS ON BOTH SIDES.
The following is from the Prisoners' Aid Society of the German civilians
interned in Camp III., Knockaloe, Isle of Man. If the English shows
signs of effort, it is an effort of sincerity:--
To the Emergency Committee for the Assistance of Germans,
Austrians and Hungarians in Distress.
Dear Madam,--We do not wish to fail to remember at the beginning
of the New Year with gratitude those who, during the past
difficult year, have made it their task to alleviate, wherever
possible, the misery and the most pressing sorrows of such
families who, by their internment as prisoners of war, were
deprived of their bread-winners. When assembled in silent prayer
during the last festive season--the season of Peace and Goodwill
to all mankind--our hearts felt the particular necessity of
expressing our innermost thanks to your Committee for all the
magnanimous acts of brotherly love and relief shown and granted
to the dependents of the interned.
Whilst we venture to ask you to see in these few lines the
unanimous vote of thanks of all the prisoners of war at
Knockaloe Camp III., and kindly bring it to the notice of those
who in a self-sacrificing manner generously assisted your work
of love, we, the undersigned, respectfully offer our heartfelt
wishes for the New Year.
P. H. Bernhard, Chairman; Carl Glock, Deputy Chairman; C. P.
Toellner, Treasurer; B. Pflug, Hospital.
And here we have an extract from a letter of gratitude from some Serbian
prisoners to one of the German Committees. It was despatched by the
Serbian Aid Committee at the camp Frankfurt-am-Oder, on February 22,
1917. "The hundred or so parcels for Serbian Prisoners of War mentioned
in your kind letter of December 20, 1916, came to hand in good time and
in good condition from Switzerland, and were distributed to those who
were in the weakest condition, and those who were most needy. In all
there were 94 parcels, and you have the blessing of 94 human beings,
ill, weak, and altogether deserted by the world. As our former camp
(Halbe b. Berlin) was broken up just at that time and distributed
amongst four other camps, we have only just learned who it was who had
given us such kindly and noble thoughts. We thank you therefore once
more with our whole heart for your great goodness and charity--God will
repay it to you.
"The gifts (the many good and beautiful things) reached us here in good
time, and were divided amongst Serbians who [were in various camps] and
the remainder we distributed here on Christmas Eve in the camp. You
should have seen the joy of these poor men!... May God only grant a
speedy peace!... While thanking you heartily once again, we beg you to
think of us in the future also.... P.S.--In all the camps belonging to
our group we have a total of 30-40 sick men."
"JOINING HANDS WITH THE ENEMY."
The spirit produced by reprisals of good is well shown in the following
extracts from an article in _The Friend_. (April 20, 1917):--
There have been fresh evidences lately of the response from
Germany to our efforts here, and of the likeness between our
work and that of the Berlin Committee. The animating spirit is
evidently so much the same that a wife left behind in England
wrote to her repatriated husband in Germany, "Just write your
letter and send it to _St. Stephen's House_ at Berlin, and
they'll send it for you." The italics are ours.
Dr. Rotten wrote March 8:
"Just a few lines to tell you that a second parcel from Berne
arrived to-day, containing the remainder of the reports about
your work, namely, 25 copies of your Fourth Report and 100
copies of "A Day at St. Stephen's House." We are much pleased to
make these vivid descriptions of your assistance to the Germans
in England accessible to so many, as our experience has taught
us that direct information has a much greater effect than our
own full or abbreviated translations. But we try again and again
with the latter, and at the present moment two different
sketches of our endeavours in England and Germany for mutual
help have been accepted by various papers, so we may hope to be
able to send you a copy before long. Grateful as ever, with
kindest greetings in the name of all."
The same idea is carried further in a letter received by one of
our helpers from a personal friend in Germany:
"Your printed report which came into my hands a few days ago
has made me very happy. I was not surprised, but it only
strengthened my belief in you and in the good of humanity. What
you have done and are still doing brings nearer the goal that
now seems so far off--everlasting peace grounded in respect and
mutual understanding."
From Dr. Rotten:
THE RELATIVES OF MEN IN RUHLEBEN.
When in April of last year, after repeated applications by us,
regular visits by the wives and children were at last permitted,
the regulations were at first rather strict. The separation of
husband and wife by a table was felt to be a special
hardship.[39] The visits taking a satisfactory course, however,
this was altered in a few weeks, and since then visitors have
been allowed in the camp itself and may walk around and converse
freely with their relatives. Permission was, indeed, soon
extended to mothers and sisters, and also fiancées of those
interned, provided the engagement had taken place before
internment. At the present time wives living in and around
Berlin are allowed to visit once a month, the time permitted
being nominally one hour, but this is fortunately not
interpreted very strictly, so that in actual practice two hours
are often allowed. Wives coming from a distance receive
permission every three months; and it was for a long time a
concern of these women and of their husbands--a concern shared
by us--that these visits had to be made in a single period of
two hours. Over and over again one found that the joy of reunion
after so long a separation was so unnerving that they could
scarcely unburden themselves on a single occasion of all the
important matters reserved for discussion, and that only
afterwards did they remember all that they had intended to say.
We repeatedly made representations on this score in the proper
quarter, appealing for a change in the regulation, and in
December last we had the joy of obtaining permission for the
wives from outside to stay in Berlin for a week and to make two
visits of two hours during this period. In special cases a third
visit might be allowed. All wives coming from a distance, at the
same time as they receive the permit, are instructed by the
Commandant to apply to us in the event of their needing any
advice in respect of accommodation in Berlin. And so we are
visited by many, whose reception in Berlin we either arrange for
at their request in advance, or who, though acquainted with
Berlin, yet come for information. They are so well satisfied
with the conditions of their visits that at the present time
there is no occasion to ask for further concessions.
GETTING MEN OUT OF RUHLEBEN.
Apart from our interest in the repatriation of the "over
forty-fivers," our principal concern for Ruhleben consists for
the present in finding work outside the camp for the younger
prisoners, for, thanks to the recent decision of the Commandant,
resulting from our repeated applications, such prisoners may
obtain leave of absence provided they find situations. It is, of
course, very difficult for those in the camp to seek situations,
and we are therefore making special efforts to find
opportunities for work, induce employers to engage an alien, and
then conduct negotiations. There are among those desiring to
exchange their forced idleness at Ruhleben for productive work
many who are concerned to remain loyal British subjects.
The following quotation from Dr. Rotten refers to a specially
interesting intercommunication:
We are delighted and thankful to see from your letter of January
31 that an unnamed gentleman in America has sent you the sum of
£400 with instructions to assign half of it to our work for
foreigners in Germany, and saying that the British Government at
once gave their consent to the payment of the amount to us. It
will be a great help to our work and will be conscientiously
used for British subjects and for the subjects of nations allied
with England. For a considerable time our work has been such
that we can take advantage of the relief agencies of other
countries for the assistance of Germans abroad, and for that
reason can apply the means placed at our disposal for the
support of foreigners in Germany only. So our help is now
practically confined to "alien enemies," because the subjects of
neutral States, should they be in need, can obtain other
assistance, and it is our uppermost wish to relieve those who,
but for us, would perhaps be utterly friendless. It is,
moreover, a great satisfaction and encouragement to us that
outside your and our spheres the community of our work is so
strongly felt that people desire to further the efforts of the
two societies simultaneously. The confidence so kindly felt in
our efforts even abroad incites us to an ever increasing
devotion to our work, to the undertaking of new tasks, and to
the fulfilling of the old ones with more and more care in every
detail.
THE SPECTROSCOPE STORY.
The spectroscope story is a particularly good example of the way
reprisals of good work out. I take the following account from a leaflet
signed W.R.H., and already known to many workers in the cause of
fellowship.
A spectroscope, I believe, is an instrument which takes a ray of
light and proceeds to spread it abroad. At all events, the
description seems to suit in this case.
The spectroscope game was started by Bishop Bury. After his
return from his visit to Ruhleben Camp he mentioned in a lecture
that some of the science students interned there were very
anxious to obtain the use of a spectroscope. The report of this
lecture was read by one of the camp visitors of the Friends'
Emergency Committee, who was a schoolmaster and a scientist.
Moreover, he possessed a spectroscope. So he joined in the game
and played his piece. But instead of trying to send the
instrument to Germany, he wrote to St. Stephen's House and
suggested that inquiries should be made as to whether any of the
schools in the internment camps in England were in need of such
an apparatus. If so, he would lend his, and ask our friends of
the Berlin Committee for assisting alien enemies to try to do
the same for Ruhleben. It was soon discovered that a group of
men in Douglas Camp would welcome the spectroscope, which was at
once sent them, and the corresponding message written to Berlin.
It was not long before a reply was received telling us, as we
expected, that every effort would be made, as usual, to carry
out such a proposal for reciprocal service to prisoners.
A little later another player came into the game in the shape of
the German War Office. (There seems to be a War Office player in
every game that takes place in these days.) The German War
Office was reluctant to permit valuable lenses to enter the
internment camp without being quite sure first of all that the
corresponding privilege had been allowed in England. Would we,
therefore, obtain and forward a written certificate from the
Commandant of the camp to say that the instrument had been
allowed. This was soon done, and we next hear that the Berlin
Committee, being unable to find a spectroscope themselves, had
collected the sum of 900 marks for the purchase of one, and has
asked permission for two of the leaders of the "University" of
Ruhleben to be allowed out of camp to inspect instruments before
purchase. This permission seems to have been readily granted,
and Dr. Higgins and Mr. Chadwick met Dr. Rotten, the secretary
of the Berlin Committee, in order to choose the most suitable
apparatus. They finally decided upon one offered by Herr H., the
head of an optical instrument firm.
At this point the game became specially interesting. Dr. Rotten
was aware that Herr H.'s brother and his family had been closely
in touch with the Emergency Committee, and had received
considerable help in difficult and distressing circumstances. In
recognition of the assistance given to his brother, he at once
offered to lend to the camp, for the period of the war, a
spectrometer and prisms valued together at 1,650 marks. The 900
marks collected were thus released to be used for other
enterprises. Herr H. also sent a warm message offering to
receive his brother's children, who had lost their mother during
the war, and to welcome his brother as soon as he was free to
cross to Germany. He also offered to provide him with anything
he might desire to help him pass away the weary hours in camp.
We learnt that the brother had been studying French, and now
wish to take up Spanish, and he has therefore chosen a set of
Spanish instruction books as what he would like best.
The game still continues. Other well-known scientific firms in
Berlin have been approached and interested in an effort to
provide material for scientific work in Ruhleben, and we have
received a request from Dr. Higgins to follow up an effort he is
making to provide similar assistance for some men at Knockaloe,
about whom he has written to various University professors and
business friends in England. Herr H. has also sent us a list of
nine firms whose principals he is acquainted with, to see if
they also will help in like manner.
A spectroscope I believe, is an instrument which takes a ray of
light and proceeds to spread it abroad. A fine instrument!
W.R.H.
The ray of light is spread by reprisals of good. When the nephew of a
friend of mine was let out from Ruhleben on a fortnight's leave, and
received "overwhelming kindness" from his German hosts, what was it that
so specially drew out their kindness? The fact that their own son,
interned in this country, has been befriended here. (P. 105.)
A BABY CASE VISITOR.
Yet, in spite of all the efforts of sympathy, suffering, in camp and
out, grows ever greater as the war continues. Here are two short stories
of February, 1915, as reported to the Committee on this side. If, for a
moment we can forget our passions, the sufferings of these, our
fellows, must touch our hearts. Nearly four more years have passed and
we know that greater loneliness and sorrow must have come to these
hearts, as to so many more.
Our first call is in a horrid little street off Tottenham Court
Road. Four knocks on a very shaky door brings Bertha, the wife
of a German, a ships' cook, who has never been long enough on
shore to become a naturalised Englishman. Bertha was a servant
for many years before she married, and had collected many
precious possessions, and she and Friedrich had a comfortable
home with plenty of furniture and full of all the useless and
hideous knicknack which apparently make so many people happy.
Only a few remain, for nearly all have "had to go"--the term we
know so well to mean that they are now in pawn, and that it will
probably never be possible to redeem them. When first we visited
them they were living in a basement room where rats made it
difficult for them to sleep, and where, on the many unexpected
calls I paid, I never once found a fire.
"We are not people wot feel the cold like some, Miss," they told
me; "and the room's so small it likely wouldn't be 'ealthy to
have a fire all day" so the "bit of washing" used to hang on a
string for days and days before it dried, and they did their
"bit of cooking" on a small gas ring. One day I called and found
Friedrich still in bed; he was quite well, he said, "but we take
turns to stay in bed, Miss, for it's warmer there and you don't
seem to feel so hungry in bed as when you're up."
They were trying to save something out of a weekly 12s. 6d.,
after 6s. had been paid for rent, for the time when Bertha would
have to go into hospital, and to buy some clothes that her
little babe would need. Then _you sent me_, and let me tell her
you would remember her when that time came, and you sent her
flannel and wool to make the little clothes: after that a
shilling a week could be spent on coals, and each time I went
they sent you thanks and blessed you for your love.
We say good-bye here and go north to Camden Town where we call
on Ludwig and Marie and their five children, the eldest of whom
is six. He is Austrian and she is Irish, and they live in two
rooms for which they pay 8s. 6d. a week. He was a waiter for
thirteen years in a well known London restaurant, and his master
has told him many times he would take him back if only the
public or the newspapers would let him. But _they won't_. So
Ludwig had nothing to do, and tells me he thinks he shall go
out of his mind sitting in idleness in his miserable
surroundings. Marie has been in hospital, too, and then Ludwig
_had_ plenty to do looking after his four little children alone
for two weeks, and says it was the hardest work he ever had to
do, and is glad his lot in life is not to be a woman!
The doctor in the hospital told Marie she must have plenty of
milk every day, and we smiled together, for we knew their weekly
income left no margin for milk for her--the children must be fed
first. So _you_ are helping, and Marie has her milk each day,
and she and her babe are growing strong and well again.
The work done by the Friends' Emergency Committee, Dr. K. E. Markel and
others on this side, and by Dr. Rotten, Siegmund Schulze, Prof. Stange
and their fellows on the other, is indeed as "a clear flame of truth in
a dark and haunted night."
PROF. STANGE.
To the great work of Prof. Stange, of Göttingen, I have once or twice
alluded. He directs all the instruction given in the Göttingen camp,
attends daily, gives lectures and superintends the library. He
experienced the usual difficulties of any civilian who tries to practice
Christianity in war-time. "One great German newspaper wrote with
indignation that the prisoners in the Göttingen Camp had as good a time
as if they were at a health resort." Doubtless this paper, like some
others, contrasted the (rumoured) abominable treatment of German
prisoners by their enemies with the too great indulgence shown to
prisoners in Germany. But Prof. Stange is not abashed. "No internment
camp," he writes, "can be compared with a 'holiday resort.' In spite of
everything that may be done for the prisoners, internment is and remains
always a very hard lot. In the Göttingen camp, too, many a prisoner
needs not only the exertion of his whole strength, but help as well to
make the endurance of his lot physically and spiritually possible."
Stange is one of those who have learned to envisage the anxieties, the
loneliness, the uncertainty, the ennui of the prisoner, and the terrible
enervation of long months, and, alas, years of confinement. In this, as
in so many circumstances of the war, it is the more sensitive and
developed minds that suffer most, and are most easily destroyed, those
minds that are indispensable in the building of any worthy future.
Prof. Stange quite frankly acknowledges to a war prejudice against the
English. But when he found their great need of help, his prejudices
melted away, and he soon engaged in helping them too with books classes,
and other means of activity.
Prof. Stange recognises that such work for enemy prisoners helps towards
better treatment of their own prisoners abroad, but, he adds, "It must
certainly be emphatically stated that we in Göttingen never took up our
work for the prisoners with this object. What compelled us to work was
simply and entirely the great distress and need of the prisoners
themselves." (P. 36. The extracts are from Prof. Stange's pamphlet on
Göttingen Camp.)
THE LAST RESTING PLACE.
At last, rest. To many weary hearts it must have become a pitiful
consolation that this at least is sure. "After life's fitful fever he
sleeps well." And in that sleep no fevered passion can even "ruffle one
corner of the folded shroud." At last, rest; where the enmities and the
ambitions are forgotten. In the presence of this stillness of death,
even to the living their disputes seem small. If the mood could endure,
death might not be needed to bring peace.
I.--ENGLAND.
"In a corner of the bonny little churchyard of Frongoch, adjoining the
extended camp, there are two solitary graves. Here, in a strange land,
the land of their captivity, two German prisoner soldiers lie at rest,
as in many a plot of ground in France and Flanders, German and British
lie together, strife hushed in the last sleep. Here there are no grim
sounds and sights of battle, but instead there is all the peace and
beauty of a lovely spring. Immediately beyond the graves a wooded bank
descends to the stream, and over and through the fresh green foliage,
amidst which the birds are happily melodious this bright April morning,
and all around can be seen the mountains of Wales, the 'land of
freedom.' Over the grave of one of these liberated captives is a
tombstone erected at the expense of, and engraved by, his fellow
prisoners. It marks the place where Hugo Schröter, Under-Officer of one
of the Crown Prince's Infantry Regiments, who died on April 9, 1915, as
the result of wounds received in the cause of his country, was laid to
rest by his grateful comrades.