HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2021
There had been repatriation schemes for those too old or too young to be put into the armed services as well as the sick for whom no recovery was foreseen from 1915 onwards. Agreement between Britain and Germany allowed for the exchange of seriously injured combatants, and sick civilians could be included in such arrangements - see for example the badly organised exchange of December 1916 reported by Capt Clarke.
Lord Newton produced a memo in May 1916 on the desirability of a general exchange of those held in Germany and Britain - it succinctly summarises the then current state:
Taken from FO 383/190/94662
I circulate to the Cabinet a memorandum on the exchange of interned civilians, which I recommend for consideration at the first opportunity
May 16, 1916 E.G. [E Grey]EXCHANGE of INTERNED CIVILIANS.
The case of the interned civilians at Ruhleben seems to deserve the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government.
They number about 4000 and consist partly of British subjects who were resident or travelling in Germany at the outbreak of the War, and partly of merchant seamen. There are about 1200 of the latter class.
Most of these interned civilians have therefore been already confined for nearly two years, and there appears to be little prospect, under present conditions, of any considerable proportion being released before the conclusion of the War.
It is submitted that it will be a great hardship if the bulk of these men are condemned to pass another winter in Ruhleben. Confinement is especially trying to the middle-aged and well educated, to which categories many of the interned belong, and it is stated on the authority of persons recently released that a considerable number of the prisoners are beginning to show signs of insanity.
Since the beginning of the war about 300 male British civilians have been repatriated from Ruhleben, but during the last few months the rate of repatriation has continually diminished.
On the other hand there are in the United Kingdom about 27,000 interned German male civilians, and this figure tends to remain constant, because the number of Germans repatriated is practically balanced by fresh internments and by captures at sea.
About 1,500 German male civilians have been repatriated since the outbreak of the war.
It will thus be seen that the number of Germans repatriated is not in proportion to the number of British repatriated, and although there are explanations to account for this discrepancy, it affords the German Government an excuse for retaining men who really ought to be released
Proposals have recently been put forward by His Majesty's Government that the age limit of fit civilians should be reduced from 55 to 50 , and that men of 45 unfit for service in the field should also be released, but so many conditions have been attached to these proposals at the instance of the Admiralty and War Office, that it is doubtful whether their adoption will produce much effect.
The great obstacle, in fact, to a wider exchange of civilians consists in these conditions, and in the stringent medical examination insisted upon by the naval and military authorities here. This action is of course reciprocated by the German authorities.
From information recently received, it appears that the German Government would be glad to get rid of as many British civilians as is possible, since it is believed that they desire to utilise Ruhleben for other purposes and that they would therefore probably be willing to entertain proposals for an exchange upon a much wider basis.
The objections to a wider exchange from the British point of view are not applicable to the same extent as formerly, because, whereas before the introduction of compulsion, our Naval and Military authorities could have contended that they had no claim upon the British civilians at Ruhleben, these are now available for service, and one country would not therefore appreciably benefit more than the other.
Apart however from humanitarian considerations, it is submitted that there would be considerable advantage in getting rid, as quickly as possible, of a large proportion of the 27,000 Germans now interned here.
At present they represent a cost to the country of £50,000 or £60,000 monthly .
Owing to the natural antipathy with which they are now regarded, it is extremely difficult to employ them in any useful work, as in the case of Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman subjects of whom there are about 5000 interned.
Amongst the Germans interned are boys of under 18, and men above the military age; others who are detained because they are considered to possess certain qualifications which may be of assistance to the enemy, such as a knowledge of chemistry or engineering; men of indifferent health and physique who have never performed any military service and men who have married English wives and have sons serving in the British army. There are also amongst the interned a considerable number of undesirables who are suffering from venereal diseases of a more or less malignant type; well-known agitators; and bad characters with the worst possible police record . In such cases the individual military value to the State must be infinitesimal and common sense suggests that to get rid of them permanently would not only be of great benefit to this country, but to the detriment of the enemy.
It should also be borne in mind that many of the interned, although previously well disposed, will emerge from their conferment, upon the conclusion of the war impoverished and animated with the bitterest hostility against this country. In addition to constituting a dangerous element in the population they will increase the social and economic difficulties which must inevitably follow the release of hundreds of thousands of men liberated from naval and military service.
It is obvious that the requirements of the Admiralty and War office must be paramount in this matter, but it seems open to question whether any potential military or naval gain to the enemy would not be amply compensated by the advantages which we should obtain by a much wider exchange of civilian prisoners, quite apart from humanitarian consideration .
The following two communications indicate the various reservations
[from FO 383/190/189306 - 7th Jun 1916 - Home Office]
Sir
I am directed by the Secretary of State to refer to the discussion which took place at the meeting of Lord Newton's Committee on May 30th on the question of offering to Germany a special exchange of invalid civilians, as being perhaps the best way of obtaining the return of British invalids from Ruhleben.
I am to acquaint you, for Sir Edward Grey's information, that Mr. Secretary Herbert Samuel understands from one of the Medical referees that 200 Germans could probably be found in the civilian internment camps who fall only a little below the present standard of disability for repatriation; and that, should Sir Edward Grey think it desirable to open negotiations of this kind, he would see no objection to sending these persons to Holland at the same time as the Germans send an equal number of British invalids from Ruhleben to the same country, with a view of course to the repatriation of both parties.
Should the German Government ask for a larger number of German invalids in return for the 200 British, the matter would require reconsideration; but it is possible that it might be worth while to effect a special exchange even on such terms if sufficient Germans could be found in the British camps of whom the Referees could say that there was little or no prospect of their being of any practical use to the enemy. [Signed N Waller][from FO 383/190/189482 - 7th Jun 1916 - Admiralty]
Sir,
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that they have had under their consideration the question of widening the basis of exchange of civilian prisoners of war who are interned in this country and in Germany. It appears to their Lordships that experience has shown that the existing arrangements for the reciprocal repatriation of various specified classes of civilian prisoners cannot be regarded as altogether satisfactory and have in some cases resulted in serious disadvantage to this country. Owing to the fact that there is as very much larger number of civilians interned in the United Kingdom than in Germany it follows as a natural result of any arrangement for the repatriation of classes of individuals that there must be a considerable greater number of Germans who comply with the necessary conditions and are consequently entitled to be released than there is of British subjects. It is moreover obvious that there is a considerable proportion of British civilian prisoners who are precluded altogether from the benefits of the existing agreements, owing to their limited applicability, and whose release it would be very desirable if possible to effect, if only on humanitarian grounds.
2. While therefore it appears to Their Lordships that a mere extension of the principle of repatriating classes of persons would not be likely to afford a satisfactory solution of this question, they are disposed to think that the disadvantages mentioned above would be very largely removed if arrangements could be instituted in agreement with the German Government for a man for man exchange of civilians detained in the two countries. It would presumably be necessary to stipulate that the persons exchanged should be of substantially similar ages, and also to reserve the right to detain a limited number of individuals on military grounds. It is hoped however, that such an arrangement would ensure the release of the greater part of the British civilian prisoners now in Germany, and effect a corresponding diminution in the number of German subjects whose continued detention involves this country in considerable expense.
3. At the same time it would leave this Country free subsequently to pursue the policy which has been laid down by H.M. Government of repatriating as many civilian enemy subjects as possible who are not likely to be of assistance to the enemy in the field.
4. I am accordingly to suggest, for Sir E. Grey's consideration, the desirability of approaching the German Government through the usual channels with a view to effecting a general man for man exchange of interned civilians on the lines indicated above.
The cover notes to the above memo are quite revealing stating that Admiralty do not understand that the great majority covered by the agreement are quite useless for military purposes except possibly for boys under 17 but it is difficult to attach serious military importance to at the most a few hundred boys of 16 [added note "about 100 are still in the U.K". - most of these would be ship's boys taken at sea by the Admiralty]. It continues "It is difficult to proceed with this proposal until the Germans have answered the proposal to reduce the age limit, a proposal which is of course numerically favourable to them."
Stratford was used as a transit camp for these repatriations which used the existing Dutch operated ferries from Tilbury and Gravesend. The cessation of these services at the end of January 1917 brought this agreed repatriation arrangements to a sudden stop, apart from a few small parties there was no significant repatriation transfers until new arrangements were in place in January 1918. Stratford camp having lost its raison d'être closed in May 1917 with staff and presumably remaining internees transferred to Alexandra Palace. A large transfer party to Dartford Hospital for repatriation in February 1917 had to be moved to Alexandra Palace when it became obvious that there would be no further Dutch ferry sailings for some time.
As mentioned there were some small parties transferred between October and December 1917 from Tilbury - a description of the second such transfer of six internees on the 9th November has been given by Otto Schimming, the first transfer involving just two internees took place on the 2nd October - the third, of 20 on the 27th November with two more small parties in December.
Schimming states the vessel was an English boat - it also conveyed some 50 women and children joining their repatriated husbands in Germany. This party may well have resulted from a Note Verbale sent via the Swiss Legation
[From FO 383/311/21529]
Note Verbale
The German Government learn that there are in England a number of German women and children who intend to return to Germany in order to join their relations already released from civilian internment camps in that country, but who wish to travel to Germany at the same time as the latter who expect to be exchanged shortly in virtue of the German-English agreement.
The Netherland Government have stated, in reply to an enquiry on the subject that they have no objection to the repatriation of these women and children taking place by means of the same steamers which carry the civilian prisoners from England to Holland.
The Foreign Office would be grateful if the Swiss Legation in London would, provided the British Government consent, notify the German families in England who are concerned, when the time comes, of the possibility of their returning home on board these steamers.
Berlin
19th October, 1917.
During 1917 there were meetings held between British and German representatives in The Hague in Holland to arrange some agreed mechanism to allow easier repatriation of civilians and military, as well as to allow the internment of such in neutral Holland and for smaller numbers in Switzerland. The Germans insisted that these exchanges take place using Boston as the departure port thus necessitating two new transfer camps at Spalding and Sleaford.
The first of these prisoner echanges took place in January 1918 - details are given with the discussion on the new transit camps. However some parties transited through Alexandra Palace presumably using Tilbury as a departure port - once the sea lines had been de-mined by early 1919 the prewar ferry services from Tilbury and Gravesend recommenced and Alexandra Palace acted as a significant transit camp in early 1919.
Internment in neutral Holland was agreed upon for a limited number of internees - the question soon arose as to whether wives and children could move to Holland to be with their menfolk.
[From FO 383/311/24232]
HOME OFFICE WHITEHALL
23rd November 1917
Sir, I am directed by Secretary Sir George Cave to refer to the agreement recently concluded between the British and German Governments with regard to the internment in Holland of prisoners of war from the two countries and to say, for the information of Mr. Secretary Balfour that the question has been raised as to whether the wives and families of the 1600 German civilian prisoners of war who are to be sent from this country to Holland under the agreement should be allowed to join them, if they desire to do so. Numbers of applications for permission are being received in this Department from or on behalf of their wives and families.
Sir George Cave understands that it is the view of the Admiralty and War Office that the wives of British subjects released from Germany for internment in Holland under the agreement should not be allowed to join their husbands and no permits will therefore be issued to them to leave the United Kingdom for the purpose. It may be thought that the same rule should apply to any German women residing here whose husbands are transferred to Holland; but on the other hand it is to the advantage of this country to get rid of as many German women as possible together with their children, except so far as the latter may be British born and wish to remain here; and Sir George Cave thinks, therefore, that, if it can be arranged, the German-born wives(and in some cases British-born wives) and children of civilian German prisoners of war sent to Holland should be allowed to follow them.
This Department has no precise information as to the numbers of such wives and children but they are probably too numerous to allow of their transport to Holland being effected by the steamship service now maintained with that country, and it would therefore be necessary to arrange for some special service e.g. by arranging for the Dutch steamers which are to carry the prisoners of war to take the wives and children as soon as possible afterwards.
As it is understood that the question whether wives and families were to be allowed to join prisoners interned in Holland was not raised at the Hague Conference, Sir George Cave suggests that, if Mr. Balfour concurs in the foregoing proposal, the Netherland Government should be approached with a view to ascertaining whether they are willing to extend the hospitality which is being given to the men to their wives and families and to make arrangements for their accommodation.
With regard to the question of expense it is presumed that if the Dutch Government are prepared to accommodate the wives and families, the German Government will undertake any expenses that may be incurred in the same way as they have undertaken the expenses in the case of the men. If any of the persons are in possession of money and property in this country no doubt arrangements could be made to allow remittances to Holland.
I am Sir,
Your obedient Servant
sd John Pedder
A much larger number of internees were to be repatriated under the Hague agreements - the Foreign Office raised the problems that could arise.
28th November, 1917
Sir, I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you herewith for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a note from the Swiss Minister enclosing a note from the German Government with reference to the repatriation of German women and children who wish to return to Germany in order to join the German prisoners of war who are shortly to be sent to Germany under the recent Agreement concluded at the Hague.
The number of German wives and families of released prisoners of war who will wish to accompany or follow the prisoners to Germany will be considerable. It seems necessary that some special arrangement should be made for their transportation as if they are left to travel by the service at present maintained between Tilbury and Rotterdam, it will take several months to dispose of them all. The German Government suggest that they should travel by means of the same steamers which will carry the prisoners and the Netherland Government apparently offer no objection to this Proposal. To allow them, however, to travel at the same time as the men, would, the Secretary of State thinks, cause much confusion and would interfere with the successful working of the arrangements which have been made to get the men on the tenders with the least possible delay. Sir George Cave desires therefore to suggest that the best plan would be to arrange that after the whole, or at any rate the majority of the men have gone, the steamers should make special voyages for the purpose of conveying the women and children, and he understands that the Netherland Government would be prepared to agree to this. He would be glad if Their Lordships would be good enough to take the matter into consideration with a view to such an arrangement being made.
If the arrangement is to be adopted, steps will require to be taken at once to advertise it, in order that the necessary applications for permit may be made to this department immediately ; until such applications have been made it will not be possible to know how many women and children desire to go to Germany and to make final arrangements accordingly.
this saw the following response from the Admiralty
10th December
Sir With reference to your letter of the 28th November No 35/258/2 relative to the repatriation of German women and children who desire to accompany their relatives when the latter are sent to Germany in pursuance of the Hague Agreement I am commanded by My Lords commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State, that they agree that the most convenient arrangement would be to send any such women and children by the ships which are to carry out the general exchange of prisoners of war between Boston and Rotterdam.
2. It is presumed that the German Government are prepared, if necessary, to extend their promise of immunity to the ships engaged on this service beyond the period of four months, in order to enable these women and children to be repatriated. As, however, it is possible that, at any time the German Government may consider it to be to their interest to suspend the sailings by withdrawing this promise, it is, in Their Lordships opinion, of great importance to secure without delay the return of as large a number of British prisoners as possible My Lords are in agreement, therefore, with the suggestion contained in your letter as to the desirability of effecting the exchange of male prisoners under the Hague Agreement, before the women and children are repatriated.
3. It also appears to Their Lordships desirable that the German Government should undertake to bear the expense of repatriating these women and children, since otherwise it might be necessary to recover the cost of their passages from each of the families concerned.
4, Copies of this letter are being sent to the War Office and Prisoners of War Department.
I am Sir Your obedient Servant,
(sd) O. Murrey
In practice the torpedoing and sinking in June 1918 of the Dutch hospital ship used in the transfers severely restricted the numbers such that the transport of women and children would not take place until 1919.
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