HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2019
[Copy included in TNA file FO 383/162 ]
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.
3 (German Division)
9. Carlton House Terrace London
S. W. February 18.1916
Sir
We have the honor to supplement our report on the Prisoners
of War Internment Camp
at Knockaloe, Isle of Man dated January 8.1916 by the following account
of the objects of the Prisoners' Aid Society which has been formed at this Camp.
The Prisoners' Aid Society has an Organization in each Camp, composed of a Chairman, Deputy-Chairman, and Secretary, and a general committee comprising members from each Compound. These Committees give their services without fee or charge.
The functions of the Society are:-
1. The giving of experienced advice (and obtaining same where necessary) to
prisoners in the matter of difficult situations that may have arisen during
their internment, or in con-sequence of their absence from home, such as dis-putes
with landlords, or employers, letting of houses, sale of businesses and fixtures,
furnishing Powers of Attorney, etc.,etc.
2. Tracing and restoration of missing luggage, money, documents, books and other
personal belongings
3, Directing prisoners of war to the proper channels where application might
be made for the relief of their families when financial distress has been caused
through their internment.
4. Writing. letters for men who are un-educated, or who are unfamiliar with
the English language .
Reports of the work done have been received at this Embassy from the different Committees from time to time. We quote from two recently at hand, which may be of interest:-
During the first two months The Prisoners' Aid Society in Camp 1 report they
have dealt with 150 cases, the result being satisfactory in most instances.
The assistance rendered was various, but they specify
40 cases of missing luggage which had been traced.
45 cases of help obtained for families of interned men.
15 cases of obtaining from Germany and Switzerland necessary registration papers
etc . etc.
10 cases of redemption of valuables which had been pawned.
A classification of the work accomplished by the Prisoners' Aid Society in
Camp III for
somewhat longer period (August 22 - November 30 1915) reports that apart from
verbal advice given
288 Cases were attended to
465 letters written
278 answers received
The results obtained were
36 cases of luggage recovered.
42 cases of money recovered, total amount £343 : 2 :11
11 cases of documents, discharge books, etc. recovered.
19 cases of relief for wives and families procured.
6 cases of Powers of Attorney made out and sent away.
4 cases of Pawn-tickets redeemed,
1 case of release obtained on account of ill-health
17 cases of successful enquiries made with regard to relatives of prisoners
of war- in England and abroad.
6 cases of house-letting, sale of business and furniture.
3 cases of valuables recovered.
145 cases successfully dealt with.
We have the honor to be,
Sir
Your obedient Servants
LELAND H. LITTLEFIELD. (signed)
W. H, BUCKLER,
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