The prisoners have formed an orchestra, and organised theatrical performances, for which they have painted pretty scenery.
There is a cinematograph performance every evening. There are a piano and harmonium. A photographer, who had an establishment in Cairo before the war, practises his art in the camp.
Discipline.—The very occasional cases of infraction of rules which entail one or more days' detention in the police cells, have a special diet prescribed for them. The military authorities find the general conduct of the civilians quite satisfactory.
Exercise and Sports.—The prisoners have at their own disposal that part of the grounds lying between the tents and the barracks, a broad space where they can amuse themselves all day long with football and other games.
They have also a tennis-court, of which the Austro-Germans make more use than the Orientals; a committee of the prisoners arrange the hours for each set of players. Skittles are very popular. Fencing is eagerly learned; the English officer who teaches it being delighted with his pupils' progress. Lessons in gymnastics, like those in other sports, are optional.
Periodically a gymkhana is got up, with donkey races, gymnastic competitions, and the distribution of prizes.
Work.—No work is demanded from the prisoners.
Correspondence, Money Orders and Parcels.—Very few money orders are received. The interned Turks are chiefly illiterate; those whose wives are interned at Cairo, and who are allowed to occasionally visit them, seldom write, as they know them to be well treated. Parcels are seldom sent to the camp, and hitherto no philanthropic society has busied itself over the necessitous.
Prisoners' Aid.—The only plea which has been addressed to us by means of the Ottoman interpreter, who speaks French and English extremely well, comes from a certain number of destitute prisoners. They wish to have, in addition to the complete outfit with woollen overcoat supplied by the English Government, a change of warm garments, which they have not the means to buy. Many find it difficult to wear the kind of foot-gear in ordinary use—the heelless leather Turkish slippers—and wish for laced shoes such as they wear at home. We asked the interpreter to make out a list of names of the needy; and after submitting it to the commandant of the camps for verification, we decided to send him from the Ottoman Red Cross Fund the sum of 2,000 francs, to provide these prisoners with the extra garments which they require, and with shoes and tobacco.