HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020
Up to the entry of the USA into the war the Americans looked after the interests of the German Government - one of their duties was to inspect and report on the various internment camps - one such report is given here reformatted from the original 14 page typescript but otherwise unchanged. Note none of the mentioned attachments were included in the file.
(German Division) 9, Carlton House Terrace, London, S.W. 5th December, 1916.
We have the honor to report that on November 28 and 29, 1916 we visited the
place of internment for alien civilians at Knockaloe, Isle of Man, for the purposes
of general inspection and also in connection with the following Notes Verbales
of the German Foreign Office:-
No III b 38032 of October 16 last.
No III b 38802 of October 24 last.
No III b 39792 of November 3 last.
No III b 41739 of November 10 last.
Throughout our inspection as well as during the conversations which we had with the interned men we were alone with the latter, unaccompanied by any of the British command, officers or privates, except only when three of us visited the Isolation Hospital. We then invited the chief Medical Officer and the construction officer to accompany us and point out the improvements made since the last inspection.
The last visit of general inspection was made in August and is covered by a report dated August 22. last. The commandant and sub-commandants are the same now as they were then, and the general conditions are also the same except hereinafter specifically noted. It will be remarked that there have been a number of improvements.
The interned civilians at present at Knockaloe number 22080. They comprise 18470 Germans, 3299 Austro-Hungarians, 102 Turks, 17 Bulgars, and 192 of other nationalities.
As to the dimensions of the huts there appears to be an error in the deposition of Wilhelm Schurn referred to in the Note Verbale III b 38032.The actual dimensions are 60ft. long and 15 ft. wide, with a height of 12 ft 6in. or else muliples of those dimensions as to length and width, e.g. 120 ft. long and 30 ft. wide. The smaller, or regulation army hut, accommodates 30 man and the larger a proportionate number. We saw no evidence of over-crowding in the huts visited haphazard, and was brought to our notice.All the huts received not long since complete fresh coats of tar and pitch, and still another coat is now being applied. In the most exposed part of the camp the weather side of the huts has been covered with felt.
Weather-porches protecting the interior of the huts from heavy wind and driving rain have been added to the doors facing south-west, that being the direction whence the greated storms come, and authority to build like porches to the other doors has been applied for by the construction officer.
Two carpenters are employed permanently in each compound to keep the huts in repair, and others are called upon when required. Very wet weather prevailed during our visit but we saw no evidence that the huts were not windproof and rainproof and none was offered us.
The windows and ventilators in the huts visited were found to be ample for good ventilation. but in some cases the men themselves had impeded free ventilation by stuffing clothing and other material into the air passages.
The huts visited were well heated by slow combustion coal-stoves, - in some instances to our sensation overheated. It is to be noted that the climate of Man is mild, the araucaria and a species of palm thriving in the open air and the genesta still blooming in spots in the hedges between Douglas and Knockaloe. A stove is provided for every 30 men, and each compound-captain has a stove of his own. Altogether 1127 fires are kept going exclusively for the interned men.
Each man has three blankets to his bed and an extra blanket is provided when recommended by the medical officer. Some men complained that the blankets had become thin from long use and hoped that they might be replaced by new ones, or else that extra blankets might be given them apart from the doctor's sanction. This complaint was brought to the notice of the camp authorities.
Screens have been added to both ends of the latrines and the roof openings have been provided with lean-to roofs. The urinals have been covered over and provided with electric lights.
All the sanitary arrangements visited were clean, disinfected and free from unpleasant odour, and the hygenic conditions of the camp generally are good.
The roads are kept in repair by the frequent laying of fresh gravel, about 100 tons being used for the purpose every three months. Drains have been built under the main roads. Notwithstanding the heavy rains prevalent for some time prior to our visit the absence of mud in the compounds was noticeable.
Besides the chief medical officer in charge of the entire camp, two medical officers have charge of the hospitals in each of the four component camps with staffs of German attendants varying in number from 6 to 10. In all there are 9 doctors and 40 attendants.
On November 28. the number of in-patients and of out-patients in Camp I was respectively 39 and 76 in Camp II, 21 and 20; in Camp III, 35 and 45; in Camp IV, 59 and 100. The ailments were of the multifarious character common in everyday life, such as colds, catarrh, bronchitis, rheumatism, neuasthenic afflictions and troubles of digestion.
The number of patients in the Isolation Hospital was 53, the diseases being venereal and tubercular for the most part. There were several observation cases and one case of Trachoma.
Attached to the Isolation Hospital a new bath house is building to contain ten shower baths and a dressing-room, the showers provided with hot and cold water. Two boilers, each with a capacity of 30 gallons, are now being put in place. A second water tap recommended in August has been supplied, and a third one will be installed in the near future.
A further ward some 200 ft. distant from the Isolation Hospital is being erected with all necessary appurtenances to serve as a quarantine hospital in case of sudden emergency. It will be of a size sufficient to house comfortably all the occupants of a regulation army hut should necessity arise of removing them from their habitual quarters while the latter are bein disinfected, It will be of wood with foundations of brick.
Asked as to the hospital conditions generally the chief German attendant, who in August had mentioned matters he considered required attention, replied that now everything was satisfactory and he had no objection or criticism to make. He made no complaint as to any lack of medicaments and he said he knew of none.
There was no complaint that the hospitals were subject to draughts and dampness or generally not weathertight, and we saw no evidence of such conditions.
The general health of the camp is good, the death rate being 2.5 in 1000.
Since the last report there have been no deaths in Camp I. In Camp II there have been 2 deaths, in Camp III (including the Isolation Hospital) 4 deaths, in Camp IV, 8 deaths. All but one, which was the result of an accident in the gymnasium, were due to heart failure or other natural causes.
Just as we arrived at the camp a funeral was passing to the cemetery. It was well ordered and impressive.A band of music composed of interned men and playing a funeral march preceded the coffin which was of polished wood, and on its lid were flowers. A large number of the deceased's comrades followed the coffin
The kitchens visited were clean both generally and in respect of utensils. The dixies seen showed evidence of long use, but they were well scoured and free from all odour. The wish was expressed by the Central Committee of Camp IV that the dixies in their camp having been in constant use for two years might be replaced or retinned. The latter process they said, they would be glad to do themselves if the needful plant were provided. The matter was mentioned to the authorities.
The food being prepared in the kitchens looked appetising. No complaint was made with regard to it and we were told by the interned men that it had improved in quantity of late and was now satisfactory. A copy of the dietary is appended. Since November 13. it includes a certain quantity of oatmeal and syrup, which formerly had to be paid for.
The Canteen appears also to be satisfactory. The only complaints in connection with it which came to our notice were that only white cheese was available, that no fresh butter was to be had and that eggs were scarce and dear. A list of canteen prices is appended together with a supplementary list for Christmas in which appears Cheddar cheese.
The former complaints about the drinking water were pronounced upon examination to be unfounded and no ojections to it were raised before us. It is good conduit water brought in pipes from the hills, and drunk by the inhabitants of the island and the officers and men of the British Guard. We drank of it and found it clear to the sight and good to the taste.
The accompanying schedule of occupations and pastimes in Camp II will give a partial idea of the activities of camp life.A large number of men in in the four camps are engaged in all sorts of trades and handicrafts of their choice and in gardening. Exhibitions of their handiwork are held from time to time, the last one six weeks ago. Their workshops are well heated.
180 acres of land are under cultivation for vegetables.
Recently a quantity of old boats has been acquired by the camp authorities and a number of men are employed in breaking them up for fire wood.
From 150 to 160 men are busy with the sewage system. From 300 to 400 work daily on construction alone. About 140 work for the caterer.
295 is the daily average number of men employed in the four quarries near the camp. 187 on average work on the bed of the Sulby
About 61 men are employed on farms. They breakfast in camp, take their midday meal with them with apparatus to heat it on the spot and return to camp for supper. At this season they leave camp at dawn and return at dusk. In summer they leave at 7 a.m. and return between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. They are frequently given extra food by the farmer employing them.
Wages vary from 3d to 1/- a day, except in the case of the caterer's men who are paid from 1/6 to 10/- a week.
The circulars concerning Reclamation of Waste Land and Quarrying and Roadmaking are appended.
There has been since August a very marked improvement in the mental atmosphere of the camp and we noticed almost none of the discontent, depression, nervousness and irritability prevailing at that time. There were hardly any real complaints, the men realising that efforts are constantly made to ease their lot as far as may be, and the matters discussed with committees and individuals were for the most part of the character of requests for advice and information, and of wishes they would like granted. A member of the Central Committee of Camp IV remarked voluntarily, with a smile, "Things are now going on all right".
The following are the chief subjects laid before us to the camp authorities :-
1. The request that the electric lights in the huts might be improved. There were three bulbs for every thirty men but the bulbs the men said, were growing blurred and the light emitted had become to faint for reading and writing without hurting the eyes. Some alledged that the current was too weak. It is the same current that lights the quarters of the officers and privates of the British Guard.
2. The request that with the beginning of repatriation there might be a progressive redistrubution of the occupants of the huts so that the average number in each hut might be fewer than the present number of thirty.
3. The wish that letters and parcels might be delivered more quickly, particularly
in the remittances ot money from London.
Note: The incoming mall in Camp II alone averages 11500 letters and parcels
per week
4. The wish on the part of married men who have wives in various parts of England
that they might be transferred to camps nearer their wives
as had been the case with husbands who had wives in the London area.
5. Whether it would not be possible for alien civilians to aid in the Alien Bank because of their greater facility in reading German names.
6. The wish that more boots might be available,
7. The request that more land might be allotted them to grow vegetables and that opportunities for basket-making might be afforded
We received individuals and committees who wished to speak with us in a private room. For convenience of conversation we had ruled to receive but one man at a time, and in the case of committees, either a delegation from each of four men or else the entire committee in batches of four. The rule was accepted and followed without comment save by the Welfare Committee of Camp I, with whom for this reason we did not confer.
There were 12 men in cells; one for disobedience of camp orders, one for being in possession of two bottles of whiskey, one for stealing government property, two for assaulting fellow aliens, one under remand for escaping from the custody of his escort in charge of a working party, some awaiting trial in connection with a cheque, and five for minor offences.
The place of internment for alien civilians
at Douglas, Isle of Man was also visited on November 28. and 29. The physical
conditions of the Camp are the same as when last visited in August (Report dated
August 25.) except that a large building has been obtained for a new brush factory
which now furnishes employment for 325 men, a nunber which it is hoped will
be increased to 500 by Christmas. The building is well-adapted
for the purpose with good light, good ventilation and fittingly heated. The
former brush factory is now used for the making of pipes and pipe cases.
The present number of interned men at Douglas is 3720, of whom 1973 are German, 734 Austro-Hungariansm 11 Turks and 3 of other nationalities.
There were 5 in-patients and 25 outt-patients, all with but minor ailments such as indigestion, colds, slight rheumatism and bronchial catarrhs. There has been one death since the last visit, the cause being heart failures.
Three men were in cells, all for trivial offences.
The health of the camp is good and there were no complaints of moment.
Two copies of the fortnightly journal published by the interned men are appended.
We inspected the Isle of Man Insane Asylum, where normally only civilians in the Isle of Man who have become insane are cared for. We saw there four insane Germans who had been sent there from the internment camps on this island. They were in every respect given the same treatment and care that the English patients receive. The buildings were reasonably modern and provided satisfactory shelter and accommodation for this class of patients. The food was ample and of good quality, the medical staff, including the nurses, was skilled and experienced in handling insane cases. The care of these people was entirely humane and along modern medical lines.
At this very modern and well-appointed buildings were cared for normally the civilians seeking hospital treatment. Part of the institution was for pay cases and a limited number of beds for the accommodation of charity cases, it being supported by private contributions.
We saw one ward entirely devoted to surgical cases, from the aliens interned
at the prison camps. Some of these cases were recovering
from attacks of appendicitis. All of them were apparently well cared for and
had received excellent surgical attention as far as could be judged. No operations
were being performed at the time we inspected the hospital. The ward we saw
accommodated ten and was very modern in its appointments, with an unusually
large allowance of cubic space per capita. Two other alien patients were stated
to be in another ward similar to the one that we inspected. We were informed
that that there were on average 10-14 cases, mostly surgical in character due
to slight accidents or injuries, from among the aliens at the internment cases.
The patients in this ward, on being questioned, all professed to be entirely
satisfied with their treatment and surroundings.
Colonel King, Indian Mdeical Services, has been appointed Assistant-Director of Medical Services in charge of hospitals and all matters of Sanitation etc., for the Prisoners of War Camps at Knockaloe, Douglas and the Working Camps in the Isle of Man.
The Notes Verbales were questions raised, sometimes with threatened reprisals against German held British civilians if a satisfactory answer was not forthcoming from the British Authorities. The first note mentioned would appear to have been based on an account by a Wilhelm Schurn, so far not found in ICRC records, who was probably repatriated on grounds of poor health via Holland, the German authorities would take sworn testimony from those returning and use their comments to to attempt to change conditions. In this case I suspect Schurn had been held in Camp I whose huts differed considerably from those of other camps.
The funeral mentioned would probably be that of Albert Petter who died on the 25th November 1916 from liver cancer.
The beginning of repatriation seen at the end of 1916 would be shortlived - one party left for repatriation on the 1st February 1917 but shortly afterwards the Dutch Steamship service to Holland ceased and repatriations did not restart under new arrangements until late 1917 or early 1918.
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