[From TNA FO 381/162 ]

Improvements in 1916

Introduction

Up to the entry of the USA into the war the Americans looked after the interests of the German and Austro-Hungarian Governments - one of their duties was to inspect and report on the various internment camps - hence the requests channelled to the American Ambassador.

Text

The American Ambassador presents his compliments to His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and, with reference to Mr. Page's note of January 14th last, transmitting a copy of report by Mr Littlefield and Mr Buckler of their visit in December last to the camps for prisoners of war at Knockaloe has the honour to enclose herewith copy of a supplementary report, dated the 6th instant[March 1916] in which they summarise the improvements, which according to official information., have taken place at Knockaloe since their last visit to the Camps.

LONDON, March 8th 1916.

Sir,
With to your inquiry respecting the note verbale of the Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs relative to the Knockaloe Camps, we have the honor to inform you that according to official information furnished by the Home Office the following improvements have taken place at Knockaloe since our visit of December 17-20,1915.
The Destitute Aliens Committee sent one of the principal architects of H.M.Office of Works to advise on Improvements and additions to the Camp. Acting an his recommendations, and subsequently on those of the new Commandant, various matters appear to have been energetically dealt with,

HUTS
The felt roofs of the huts have been provided with a good coating of tar and the work of tarring is proceeding whenever weather conditions allow this to be done. The walls are also being tarred to prevent the percolation of rain.
Steps are being taken to prevent the ingress of driving rain at the sides of and beneath the windows.
The ends of huts in exposed positions are being well tarred.
The doors of the huts have been provided with weather boards to obviate draught, etc.
The work of repairing huts has been organized on lines laid down in the circular of January 18, copy of which is hereto attached.
STOVES
The additional stoves in the huts have now been fixed.
BLANKETS
Three per man when required. The blanket question is being solved by the better heating of the huts.
LATRINES
The latrines have now been provided with screens at each end, but the roofs over the central passage recommended in the Embassy's Report have not been fixed. One such roof was erected as a type of what was proposed, but for sanitary reasons it was deemed not advisable to let it remain. The circulation of air would be inadequate and during the summer months it is considered that the latrines would become foul and offensive.
The Doctors strongly advise the retention of the open roof upon sanitary grounds, a practice which has been observed at other camps,
DRYING ROOMS
A second stove has now been fixed in the drying rooms, The drying of clothes should now be an easy matter.
WASHING ARRANGEMENTS:
There are now ten shower baths in a wash house and four or five spigots. The whole of the wooden grids for the floor have been supplied.
WASH-HOUSES
The additional wash-houses have been completed and extra accommodation has been provided with from 30 to 40 enamel basins.
CANTEEN & PAY BOX
A small pent roof has been fixed at the latter, but it will be impossible to fix a roof to the former owing to the proximity of the barbed wire fence.

HOSPITALS
The baths for hospitals have now been delivered:
1 Sheets, pillow-cases etc. These had not been requisitioned previously, but have since been supplied.
2. A disinfecting apparatus has been introduced at the hospitals, which should add to the comfort of the prisoners.
3 Wash-houses for hospitals have been recommended and will be supplied in due course.

PATHS
A further large supply of sleepers have been laid and a quantity of shingle has been beaten in between the sleeper tracks, which it is hoped will improve the condition of the paths,

SUPPLY OF CLOTHING
The Commandant is endeavoring to facilitate the issue of clothing to destitute aliens, of which there is a plentiful supply in store, In order, however, to prevent the abuse of the privilege of free grants of clothing, it is necessary to investigate cases, and further, on account of prisoners having been found trading with such articles, it is considered, advisable to insist on the return of the worn-out garments.

NEW COMMANDANT:
The most important administrative change at these camps, since we visited then, is the appointment as Commandant of Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. Panzera, C,M. G., late Resident Commissioner of Bechuanaland Protectorate, who took charge of his new post on the 15th ultimo[February 1916]. It is believed that this very experienced administrator will have an excellent effect upon the welfare of the prisoners of war under his charge.

REPATRIATION:
The Home Office Medical Referee is going to the Isle of Man next week to report on repatriation.

Government Circular No 175
REPAIRS TO HUTS.

1. In order that repairs to huts in the compounds may be carried out expeditiously, arrangements have been made for two alien joiners to be appointed permanently in each Compound by the Sub-Commandant in consultation with the Construction Officer.
2. It will be the duty of the prisoners of the compound to bring to the notice of the senior of the two alien joiners any defects which may occur in their hut.
3. A British Carpenter has been appointed to each Camp to carry out, under the direction of the Construction officer, all constriction work and repairs in the Camp.
4. The senior compound alien joiner will enter in a book provided for the purpose particulars of all defects in the sleeping huts, kitchens, lavatories, or latrines, which are reported to him as requiring attention, together with the date of the entry, and will send a requisition on the prescribed form to the Construction Officer, through the Camp Carpenter,
5. It will be the duty of the Construction Officer so see that repairs are effected expeditiously. Where necessary he may employ additional alien Joiners at the scheduled rate of labour to assist the Compound joiners.
6. Alien joiners may be employed in any Compound of their Camp, but not outside their own camp.
7. Sub-Commandants should inspect and sign the "Repairs to Huts Complaint Book" daily to see what defects are recorded and remedied, They should not submit requisitions to the Construction Officer themselves, the onus of doing so must rest on the prisoners.
8. Only the Official Complaint Book and Requisition Forms are to be used.
BY ORDER,
B. E. Sargeaunt Government Secretary
18th January, 1916

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2019