HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2022
Following the entry of the USA into the war in early 1917, the Swiss Legation had just taken over from the Americans the task of representing the German Government in inspecting the various Internment Camps. This was their first visit to Knockaloe - the inspector was Dr A.L. Vischer who had a particular interest in the mental health of the prisoners. The text is extracted, with some minor changes in the formatting, from FO 383/276.
I have the honour to submit a report covering a visit of inspection to the Aliens' Detention Camp at Douglas, Isle of Man, on May 2., 3., and 12. 1917. Douglas Camp is situated on a cliff 210 feet above the sea on the eastern coast of the Isle of Man; it is about twenty minutes walk north from Douglas, the capital of that Island.
Direction
The Commandant is Lieut. Colonel H.W. Madoc, and Captain F.C. Bland is Second in Command; Captain Robert Marshall, R.A.M.C., is the Medical Officer, and two interpreters are attached to the staff.
Numbers
At present 2,640 civilian prisoners of war are interned here. Of these 1,914 are German, 709 are Austrian, 10 are Turks and 7 are of other nationalities.
Description of Camp
The Camp consists of two parts, the so-called "Privilege" or Camp No. I, and the ordinary Camp, No. II. The "Privilege" Camp is reserved for such prisoners, numbering 464, as can afford to spend money for the rent of more comfortable huts, tents, etc. 102 stewards work for them and receive pay amounting to 3/- a week. The prisoners in this camp are charged according to the following scale :-
8/- per week for food
4/- " " the hut
3/- a tent for three inmates
4/6 a tent for two inmates
12/- a tent for one inmate.Building
The main building of the camp is the permanent building of a holiday camp which was run here before the war by the present contractor of the Camp, Mr. Cunningham. The visitors used to sleep in tents erected around the main building where Camp I is now situated. In the main building, as it was then, there were kitchens, storerooms, dining room and recreation hall. The present arrangement is as follows:-
The ground south of the main building is occupied by the huts and the tents of the "Privilege" Camp, or Camp I, and the ground adjoining on the north-west side, measuring 118 x 121m. is the site of Camp II, the main building thus standing between the two Camps. It has been divided into two parts, one for each camp, and now contains two large dining halls, one of which is also used for theatrical performances, the hospital, two kitchens, several workshops and baths and latrines; also some dormitories have recently been arranged in it for prisoners in Camp II.
The 566 inmates of Camp I sleep in huts or tents. The huts are divided into three sections each a square of 10½ feet (3.30 m). The height of these huts is 9 feet (2.80 m) at the side and over 10½feet (3.30 m) in the middle. Each section accommodates three to four men. These sleeping compartments are also used as sitting rooms. The huts have wooden floors and the walls and roofs are of asbestos composition; the heating is by coal stoves and kerosine stoves.
About two-thirds of the mumber of the prisoners live in huts, the stewards and the remainder of the prisoners in tents. The tents for the "Privileged" prisoners are small, each being meant to hold two to three men. About 84 men live in these tents, while a few occupy tents to themselves. The 102 stewards occupy larger tents, 5 to 6 together. We were told that many prefer tents to huts, especially in summer.
The majority of the men in Camp No. II are housed in huts, the rest in tents and in the rooms of the main building.
Each hut is divided by a partition into two sections, each section having the following measurements:-
Length 150 feet (45.6m)
Width 15ft (4.60 m)
Height in the middle 14½ft ( 4.45 m)
Height at the side 10ft (3.05 m).In each section a small compartment of 15 ft. x 13 ft (4.60 x 3.90 m) is cut off for the Captain. Each section is intended to hold 120 men, though the actual number at present is about 110. The wooden floors in some of the huts : are defective. Bunks are arranged along the walls, one above the other in tiers of three. The mattresses are filled with straw, and each man has three blankets. The men have no boxes for their belongings which, therefore, are scattered all over the place and give the hut a look of disorder. Lately the huts have been fitted with additional windows which are greatly appreciated; seats and tables have also been provided.
As stated before, a few weeks ago some rooms in the main building were set apart as dormitories for about 90 men, each holding between 10 and 20 occupants. These rooms are more comfortable than the big huts, therefore the men have to pay 1/- a week for their use. There are also about 30 tents where 100 men are housed.
Central heating is installed in the main building, and the camp is lighted by electricity. In Camp I the the expenses of all light as well of all fuel is paid by the prisoner,
Sanitary Arrangements
The garbage of the camp is carted off or burned in an incinerator and the sewage is drained into the sea. The water is excellent in quality.
Ten shower baths with hot and cold water are provided, and in addition 4 doulton ware (fayences) foot baths for Camp I. For the use of both camps there is a great swimming bath measuring 30 x 90 feet.
There are 87 water closets and a sufficient number of urinals. In Camp II the urinals have no roof, a nuisance in bad weather.
Kitchens
Three kitchens are provided in the camp, each with steam-boilers and gas Stoves. A special Kosher kitchen is reserved for the 440 orthodox Jews - the total number of Jews in both camps is over 500. In this latter kitchen there is one manager who spperintends the 5 cooks, 8 attendants, 2 butchers and 6 "Schomrim" or religious supervisors. Special meat storerooms are provided. The kitchen of the "Privilege" Camp has 1 manager, 4 cooks, 4 porters, and 3 attendants. In the ordinary camp kitchen there are 3 English cooks and 39 cooks working. All the kitchens are well-appointed and clean. The new dietary sheet is appended (EXHIBIT "A").
The camp has its own bakery, with modern baking machines and electric power.
The inmates ef the two camps take their meals separately. Those of Camp II in two shifts, in the afore mentioned dining halls in the main building. The men in Camp I have dining tables for 6 persons and are served by their stewards. The inmates of Camp II complain that the supply of knives and forks for table is insufficient.
The daily menues are as follows
Monday and Friday
Breakfast Porridge, Tea, 3 slices of bread, Margarine, Jam.
Midday Porridge, Tea, 8 slices of bread, Margarine, 1 herring for each man(smoked or pickled).
Evening soup, 1½ - 3 herrings, one slice of breadWednesday and Saturday as above, with corn beef instead of herrings.
Sunday,Tuesday, Thursday As above, with meat instead of herrings.We would add that when condensed milk as marked on the Dietary Sheet is not obtainable ¼ pint of ordinary milk is given instead.
The alcoholic drinks allowed to each man in Camp I amount to ½ bottle of wine or two bottles of beer per day. A bottle of beer costs only 3½d, a bottle of wine from 2/- to 2/9. In Camp II only the Captains are allowed alcoholic drinks.
There are three Canteens, a wine bar and two coffee bars in the camp.
The following articles of nutritious value are still sold at the Canteen:-
Rice, beans, peas, tinned vegetables and oat-cakes. At the coffee bars oat-cakes, and coffee and milk, at 1d. per cup, may be had, :The profits of the coffee bars and of the wine bar are turned over to the so-called "Camp Fund". This fund also receives the entrance fees to the Cinena performances (i.e. 1d, 2d, 6d), and the profits of the barber shops, tailor shops and watchmakers and shoemakers. The "Camp Fund" is used to pay the camp fatigue workers. It also pays for some Christmas presents and for an annual excess insurance premium of £250 for the Big Hall. We are told that at present the Camp Fund amounts to £700. It is a great complaint of the prisoner that they have, unlike some other camps no share in the administration of the "Camp Fund".
Medical Situation.
The hospital for the two Camps is situated, as stated above, in the main building. Captain Robert Marshall, R.A.M.C. is the Medical Officer. He is most efficiently assisted by a German Medical man, Dr. von Osten. Four German attendants work in the hospital, receiving a weekly pay of 2/4. The Medical Officer visits the hospital once a day, and Dr. von Osten the whole time. The hospital has two wards with altogether 24 beds. The measurements of the wards are as follows:- Length 13-15 m. Width 4m Height 2.2 to 2.4m.
The bedsteads are of iron. Each men has four blankets and the sheets are changed weekly. There is no special Isolation Hospital, one of the two wards would have to be used for infectious diseases, should any occur. The hospital has its own water Closets, and a tub bath, The outfit for special examinations and modern treatment is quite remarkable and much credit is due in this respect to Dr. von Osten and to the generosity of some of the Prisoners. We mention a bacteriological incubator, a complete outfit for chemical examinations of stomach contents, and electro-cardiagraph and electrical appliances, etc.
Cases requiring an operation are sent to Nobles hospital in Douglas, and mental cases to the Isle of Man Lunatic Asylum. An eye-specialist, Dr. Stevenson from Liverpool, comes over at certain intervals and is in attendance for such prisoners as require a special consultation, which is free of charge for the poor.
A British dentist attends at the Camp once a week, free of charge, while three German dentists work daily in the camp. On the day of inspection six men were in the hospital and 14 were under treatment as out-patients. The most serious case in the hospital was that of a man suffering from spondylitis.
Since the opening of the camp in 1914, 16 deaths have occurred, 3 having been recorded since January 1917 (one suicide, one phthisis of the lungs and one from accidentally eating Conium maculatum, which a man of the working party picked up in the fields). No infectious diseases have occurred since the opening of the camp. The number of lunacy cases which have had to be transferred to an Asylum is, since 1914, is 18: 3 of these have been transferred since January 1. 1917.
According to the opinion of both doctors, the general condition of the health of the prisoners is good, but the mentality is seriously affected in a great number of cases, and one almost feels entitied to speak of a "Camp" or "Barbed Wire" psychosis. We were told by the doctor, however, that conditions have somewhat improved since the Spring, since work on the field has been resumed on a large scale.
Prisoners' Life
The order of the day is as follows:-
Hour of Rising in Camp I 7.30a.m.
Hour of Rising in Camp II 7.30a.m.
Breakfast in Camp I 8.30a.m.
Breakfast in Camp II 8. a.m.
Midday Meal 1 p.m.
Evening Meal (Chief meal) 6 p.m.
"Lights Out" 10. p.m.Camp I has a hut which serves as common reading room and school room. Camp II has a recreation hut which serves as school and lecture room and where religious services are held; it also contains a coffee bar. Cinema and theatrical performances are given in the big dining hall, For the use of the hall, including electric light, on these occasions, the prisoners have to pay a rental of £1 10s per evening to the the contractor, out of the receipts collected by entrance fees. Several workshops have been installed in the gallery of the big hall.
The "Privilege" Camp has been allowed to rent a very good pleasure ground with fine trees, adjoining the camp, also six tennis courts. Camp II has a large grass field for sports and games which situated a few minutes from the camp. It is the general wish of the prisoners to use thie field more freely and not only at certain fixed hours. Escort marches are arranged daily in each camp, six men being recommended on fine mornings by the medical officer.
There is a good camp library containing 5,000 volumes A remarkable feature of this cmmp is the amount of work done in amd outside the camp. The approximate number of men working daily during the week ending April 8th, 1917, was 1,459; 450 are employed in a brush factory, 335 work in quarries and on roads, 677 are engaged in agriculture and 100 work in a carving school.
In the brush factory the men are paid by the piece and on Union Wages; the total of the wages paid during the week ending April 28th, 1917, amounted to £305. The workers in this factory complain that they are not insured, neither do they come under a Workmen's Compensation Act. The Isle of Man legislation includes no such Act. On expressing some doubts as to the safety of the men in case of fire, we were told that the installation has been passed by a government inspector, and that at a recent fire drill every man was out of the buildings within 45 seconds.
On May 13. I went to see a party of fifty prisoners who were just starting digging on the slopes of Mount Snaefell. I also inspected the house which serves as their quarters. It was once a tourist's restaurant, and is a solid wooden building in the chalet style, offering good accomodation for the men. The sanitary arrangements are satisfactory. This party will work on Snaefell during the summer months; the men are paid 1/- a day.
Punishments
There are 9 detention cells with satisfactory accomodation. At the time of our visit 5 of them were in use. 3 men were locked up for obtaining money under false pretences, 2 for breaking camp regulations and 1 for assault on another prisoner.
Prisoners' Association
In Camp I Mr. Schroeder is Captain; in Camp II Sea Captain G Schmidt is Captain, Mr. S. Helfert acts as deputy Captain and Dr. H. Siemer as Secretary. Each hut has a sub-captain. Since April 1917 the Captains and sub-captains have been elected by the prisoners. There is a Committee for Administration also a Kitchen Committee and a Jewish Committee.
Visiting
Relatives residing on the Island are allowed to see a prisoner once every fortnight for 1 hour. A relative visiting the Island is allowed 3 consecutive visits to a prisoner within one week.
Complaints
The prisoners expressed the wish that they might have a share in the administration of the Camp fund. They regard the food dietary as insufficient, although the complaints on this point were no so many as in Knockaloe, which I attribute to the fact that, in the first instance, a very large proportion of the prisoners in Douglas are working, and therefore receive the additional ration, and secondly to the fact that the Douglas canteen is much more efficient and is stocked according to the price list.
Taking Douglas Camp as a whole we should say it is well-managed. This is chiefly due to the great efforts of Lieut Colonel Madoc, who has, amongst other things, done much to develop the various pranches of work done in the Camp. We would emphasize also that, owing to the heteroganous composition of the prisoners as regards their creed, race, nationality and social standing, Lieut. Colonel Madoc's task is not an easy one.
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