[17] “In this camp, as is usual where civilians are detained, the atmosphere is one of depression.”—Mr. Jackson on a civilian camp at Senne, Sept. 11, 1915.
[18] “Overseer” seems to be a translation of the German “Obermann,” and represents, I think, the captain of a barrack.
[19] The second list represents members of the Camp Committee (see further p. [99]).
[20] “Barrack” is no doubt meant.
[21] There are a large number of men interned at Ruhleben who are technically British subjects by reason of their having been born in British territory of naturalised British subjects, but who have spent practically all their lives in Germany.
[22] Cf. the report on Knockaloe (May, 1916) on p. [114].
[23] The original barrack captains were chosen, as an informant of mine writes, “in a hurry, when things were chaotic.” Dissatisfaction was felt with their action, or inaction, and a “Camp Committee” was formed of newly elected representatives of the different barracks, which was, as it were, to supervise the captains (overseers). The arrangement was scarcely likely to work, and did not. The election, moreover, seems to have been but partial.
[25] One of the difficulties at Newbury was the absence of light.
[26] A very useful account of Ruhleben is given by Israel Cohen in “The Ruhleben Prison Camp.” In reading such accounts one must always, however, remember that to complete the picture we ought to be able to read accounts written by interned German civilians of their experiences on this side. Such a consideration should be obvious, but in war the obvious and reasonable are too often vehemently rejected as “unpatriotic”!