HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2019
[TNA FO 383/162 dated 19.Jan 1916 - follow up to a letter from American Ambassador relying comments received on behalf of Germans brought to UK from Africa (mostly West Africa) and now interned at Knockaloe - this is the Foreign Office's comments on how Sir Edward Grey should reply. ]
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.
Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 3rd December (178448) forwarding; a copy
of a note from the American Ambassador relating to the treatment of Germans
brought to the United Kingdom from Africa, I am directed by Mr Secretary Herbert
Samuel to say, for the information of Secretary Sir Edward Grey that the climatic
conditions prevailing in the Isle of Man render the camps at
least as favourable as any other camp in the United Kingdom for persons
who have been affected by malaria or are particularly sensitive to cold and
wet on account of long residence in tropical climates, and the health of these
persons receives special care and attention. The climate of the Island, though
somewhat damp in winter like most parts of the British Islands, is not cold,
and the annual and diurnal variations of temperature are very moderate. The
huts are adequately warmed with stoves, and special measures have been and are
being taken to exclude wet and damp. The patients who suffer from malaria or
other tropical ailments have been provided with raised wooden beds, their needs
in the matter of clothing are specially considered and they are provided with
an extra (fourth) blanket: they have also the benefit of constant medical attention.
Signed Edward Troup?
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