HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2019
Committee of the Austrian and Hungarians interned in Knockaloe Aliens Camp.
Selected Representatives J Wisser 1536
F Effenberg 1502 Camp1 Comp 2
December 1915
General Complaints
Letters from Austria and statements in the "Times" of which we possess copies, it would appear that only destitute British Subjects are interned in Austria and none in Hungary. The remainder, that is to say, those who are not destitute and not likely to become a charge upon the Austrian - and Hungarian states, are enjoying full liberty. That is to say, they are attending to their business, can go to theatres and attend other amusements without being molested or interfered with - just like in peace time. Those interned we referred to are receiving excellent treatment, as per letters and in the statement of the Times of which we possess issues. We don't possess any priviliges.
The huts we live in are very badly built indeed, the roofs and walls not being wind and watertight, and are by no means sufficiently heated. A hut of length of 130 feet has only got one small stove, and then only those living in the immediate vicinity of this stove are enjoying the warth therefrom, while near 70.5 per cent are constantly complaining of cold feet. The roofs are all leaking, a fact most unpleasantly felt by those living in the huts, especially now in the wet and cold season when it is raining practically every day and night and the consequences of living in such a damp and cold place must now? make itself felt. During the nights those who are unfortunate enough not to possess overcoats have to suffer bitterly from the cold and the three blankets supplied by the British Authorities are by no means adequate to keep them warm.
2 Passes and Letters: There appear to be some towns in Austria and Hungary which refuse to accept money and parcels to be sent to interned Aliens, while there seem to be other means that do forward them but only at a great length of time. Everyone in Hungary wishes to send a parcel, he has first to send it to some friend in Vienna, from where it will then be sent on to him to this Camp. Letters generally take from 5-6 weeks before reaching us. Letters sent from here, the majority of which don't seem to arrive at all, while others take 5-6 weeks before they reach their destination.
In Compound 2, our Compound there are three boys noy yet having reached the age of 18 years and though having applied for repatriation, no attention seems to have been paid to their education.
The majority of the detained Austrian and Hungarian Civilians are suffering from want of underclothing, overcoats and shoes. There are always great difficulties in getting these necesities. Five overcoats have only been given out by the British Authorities for a hundred men. Regarding underclothing, this can only be obtained by sanction of the Medical Officer of this camp.
In one of the huts of our Compound there are elderly people suffering from consumption and it would be advisable to have same removed to hospital for appropriate treatment and not left with us as it may cause infection. A great number of Austrian-Hungarian detained Civilians are complaining of this strong and unhealthy climate of this island. Could these not be sent to some other camp with a milder and healthier climate.
There are 14 Austrian-Hungarian detained Civilians in this Camp, who had their tickets to Austria paid for them, taken from them at Queenstown Queensborough. These 14 men insist upon getting their money refunded.
Our Compound is the smallest in the whole camp and does not permit one to take physical exercise a necessity of paramount importance. It would indeed be desirable to have our compound enlarged, for there is ample space for carrying out such a project, in the north and east of our compound.
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