Text + Transcription © F.Coakley , 2021
After the USA joined the war against Germany in 1917, the interests of the German Government in the UK were handled by the Swiss and those of the Austro-Hungarian Government by the Swedes. In both case the British Government found these legations to be much more critical and demanding in their requests as well as in many case more open towards those whose interests they represented - so much so that some members of the legations were strongly criticised for bias.
Repatriation had effectively ceased by February 1917 due to the cessation of the Dutch ferry service; in 1917 after considerable negotiation a replacement repatriation mechanism using Dutch vessels from Boston was agreed which first transport was in January 1918.
The Austro-Hungarians had long complained that whereas in Austria relatively few British civilians were interned, most being confined within a certain vicinity of their home and in some cases allowed to carry on with their businesses, whereas in the UK all Austro-Hungarians had been interned in camps and businesses confiscated by the British Government. They were also subject to the same tit-for-tat restrictions played out between the UK and Germany re treatment in their respective internment camps.
Chairman Ing. F. Nettel February 6th 1918. Camp II/4,
To the Swedish Legation, Austro-Hungarian Division, LONDON, S.W.1.Gentlemen,
re; Your letter F.23810 of Oct. 2nd 1917 and General Matters. (also our letter Dec 17th)-----
On behalf of the Austrians and Hungarians interned in the four local Camps, their representatives take leave to submit the following matters for your consideration and would feel obliged if you would bring these facts to the knowledge of the Austro-Hungarian and British Government respectively together with your recommendations:
1.) The agreement dealing with the repatriation of Austrians and Hungarians over 51 years of age as also those over 45, who are unfit for field service, is now about nine months old without any attempts having been made by the British Authorities to carry it out. This failure has a most unfortunate effect on our men who are witnessing the departure of their German fellow prisoners of even lower age, while they themselves apparently for the very reason that the Home Office "recognizes and appreciates the treatment of British subjects in Austria-Hungary" are left to rot on this Island.
2.) The same applies to the invalids of all ages none of whom have been repatriated for many months past.-- Urgent representations to the British Authorities, emphasizing the necessity of immediately giving effect to the agreement, appear highly desirable.
3.) All men were most interested to hear that the negotiations regarding the internment of civilians in neutral countries are being continued, but we most earnestly apply to you to use your influence in speeding up these negotiations which tend to drag on indefinitely. While not wishing to tender advice to any of the parties concerned would it not be possible for you to suggest a conference, following the Anglo-German and Anglo-Turkish precedents, at the Hague or any other place?
4.) We should further be indebted for your information, whether there exists any official body in Austria-Hungary where claims regarding losses through the war, by A.-H, subjects formerly resident within the British Empire, can be filed for consideration after the war,
5.) The committee was also asked to approach you to bring the following facts to the knowledge of the R.and I foreign Office in Vienna: Several prisoners of war have received letters from home by which they are informed that their relatives had posted parcels for them. These were accepted by the respective Post Offices but returned to the sender after a few days, broken and nearly totally robbed of their contents. As the thefts were evidently committed in Austria-Hungary, these P.s.o.W. would be thankful if proper steps would be taken to prevent a repetition.
6.) Reverting once more to the statement handed to Captain Unander on Nov. 9th 1917, in reply to certain questions put to us, we beg to say that no change for the letter has been effected since the last inspection Visit either in the way of accommodation, diet or general conditions of internment which fact we would like to be brought to the notice of the Austro-Hungarian Government.
The long internment is telling very physically, mentally as also morally on the whole of the men and a radical change for the better, or rather the shifting of all Civ P.o.W. of Austrian and Hungarian Nationality to a neutral country is sorely needed if lasting infirmity is still to be avoided. It ought to be pointed out that if 18 months of captivity in an enemy country is regarded as be limit for soldiers, it ought also to be the limit for civilians who have certainly not forfeited their human right just for the reason that they do not happen to wear uniforms.
Trusting to hear from you whether you are in a position to support our applications, I sign, on behalf of the Committee.
Gentlemen, Yours most respectfully
Ing. F. Nettel, Chairman.
[dated Home Office 4th March 1918]
In reply to your Note of the 18th February by Secretary Sir George Cave I am directed to say that he has no objection to the communication covered by the Swedish Note of the 13th February being transmitted to the Austro-Hungarian Government provided it is accompanied by observations to the following effect regarding complaints 1, 2 and 3 ..
(1) The first complaint is mistaken, as the H M government has never stopped the repatriation of Austrians and Hungarians except in so far as they were compelled to do so during the greater part of 1917 owing to the suspension of the Dutch steamship Service to Holland. As soon as it became possible again, viz, in October 1917, their repatriation was resumed, and since that month up to the present date, 68 Austrians and Hungarians have been repatriated, viz. 22 elderly men and 46 invalids. It has to be borne in mind that the sailings of these vessels are infrequent and that much of the accommodation in them, which is limited, is required for other passengers than Austrians and Hungarians.
(2) The complaint that no invalids have been repatriated for many months past is, as shown above, incorrect. It is true that certain prisoners of war who were severely ill have not been sent but this was in their own interest as the arrangements in the vessels are not suitable for"cot" cases. It is further true that in the matter of repatriation, preference has been given to German subjects over Austrians and Hungarians but this was due to the fact that the German Government made a a special arrangement with the British and Dutch Governments and no doubt the A-H Govt could do the same if it thought fit
(3)The British Authorities are doing their utmost to bring the negotiations as to the internment of civilians in neutral countries to a successful conclusion. (As this question is one which concerns Lord Newton's Department, he may desire to add his own observations on the point.).
H.M.G. desire to add that if any Austrian or Hungarian prisoner of war over 51 years of age thinks his claim to repatriation has been overlooked, he would be advised to apply through the Commandant of his camp for consideration of his case.
Friedrich Nettel was a Univerity trained Engineer (hence the title Ing) from the Technische Hochschule Vienna - he is also known for the many cartoons he drew for the camp newspapers. His reward for this letter was to be transferred against his wishes to Douglas Camp on the 9th March 1918 which caused considerable agitation in the camp. He had complained about the treatment of Austro-Hungarians from his first arrival at Knockaloe.
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Editor Text + Transcription © F.Coakley , 2021 |
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