[From TNA FO 383/114/20755]

WW1 Internee - Charles Szlavek

January 11th 1916
Sir,

It is with great satisfaction I notice from your valuable letter addreseet to Dr Karl Kottas that you now give us a chance to put before you our grievances and I beg to avail myself of this opportunity, in submitting my case which is as follows:
I left New York on August 15th 1914 on board the Dutch S.S. Potsdam for Rotterdam, but not before receiving from "Holland America Line" the most definite and formal assurance that no German, or Austro-Hungarian passenger would be interfered with on the high seas, as they were with them on neutral ground. So I went from a neutral state by neutral steamer to a neutral State, my intention being to go to Switzerland was dictated by the necessity of undergoing an operation and for reasons of health and business. I am holder of the ticket B 2061.

Besides these most definite and formal assurances on the part of the Holland America Line who largely advertised for safe conduct of German and Austro-Hungarian people to Holland, the S.S."Potsdam"` was stopped and inspected in American waters to two U.S. men-of-war and both these ships, knowing the full details of passengers and cargo by the Passenger List and Manifest allowed the "Potsdam" to pass as "Non Contraband" - I was not little astonished when on August 24th 1914 we were visited by a British man-of-war who enforced the removal of the German and Austro-Hungarian subjects thus violating the neutral character of the Dutch .S.S. Potsdam. This act was procided[sic proceeded]with in spite the two Non Contraband passings by the US.Authorities and same constitutes an interference with Dutch rights in as the Dutch Shipping Line was prevented from fullfilling their contracts and pledges. A thing I have never understood and I cannot comprehend up to now is, why the respective two neutral
to now is why the respective neutral governments have never undertaken any effective steps to help to our rights and I should thank you very much, Sir, to [] put the question to them.

Now that an opportunity is afforded to put claims before you, Sir, I like to make it clear that I consider myself heavily prepidiced (? prejudiced) by the Holland America Line and I hold same responsible not alone for the passage money but for all and every consequences which have been caused me on account of their breach of contract, for items and profits lost, for deterioration of health, deprivation of liberty, for deterioration of health and all other consequences. The claim is naturally increasing daily and it is up to the Holland American Line and in their interest to undertake as soon as possible adequate steps to obtain my release, if necessary through the diplomatic channel. The Captain and the Steamship Company might have done this long ago, thus saving themselves great expenses.

I may add that I have numerous witnesses of the formal undertaking the Holland America Line have given and these alike myself are prepared to make oath to this effect.

Not only am I no soldier, but I have never served at all, and even possess documents to the effect that I have been declared permanently unfit for any military service.

Separated by force without any real reason from wife and children one would expect that letters from them would go through without serious delay, but in reality they are taking an awful time before they reach me, if at all, and as to parcels it is really pityful.

From the beginning of March last I have advices of at least a dozen parcels forwarded by my wife from Vienna and I have not the slightest doubt that they were punctually despatched. If I tell you on my word, Sir, that I have only received ½ of one of these parcels (say one half), I feel sure you will agree that conditions are most pityful. I say one half parcel because the other half was empty.

The last parcels advised from Viena are from the following dates: Oktober 27th, November 7th, December 10th, December 17th, none here arrived.

I appeal to you, Sir, to kindly take the necessary steps which the circumstances require and await the favour of your news as early as possible.

With this expectation believe me to be
Most respecfully yours
Charles Szlávek. No 4150.

Background

This is one of many such complaints about removal by force from Neutral vessels of German and Austro-Hungarian subjects; Dr Karl Kottas was chairman of the Camp 1 Austrian-Hungarian Relief Committee.

		see other Austro-Hungarians
Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020