“Halbmondlager,
“Aug. 20th, 1915.“(SECRET)”
“To Murtagh Skeel, Colonel,
“Irish Exp. Force,
“N. Y.“REPORT
“On June 7, fifty Irishmen, with one German subaltern, were handed over to this camp, to be temporarily accommodated here. On June 16 five more Irishmen arrived, one of whom, having a broken leg, was sent to the camp hospital. There are, therefore, fifty-four Irishmen now here, one Sergeant Major, one Deputy Sergeant Major, three Sergeants, three Corporals, three Lance Corporals, and forty-three privates.
“They were accommodated as well as could be among the Indian battalion, an arrangement which gives rise to much trouble, which is inevitable, considering the tasks imposed upon Half Moon Camp.
“The Irish form an Irish brigade, which was constituted after negotiations between the Foreign Office and Sir Roger Casement, the champion of Irish independence.
“Enclosed is the Foreign Office communication of Dec. 28, 1914, confirming the conditions on which the Irish brigade was to be formed.
“The members of the Irish brigade are no longer German 276 prisoners of war, but receive an Irish uniform; and, according to orders, instructions are to be issued to treat the Irish as comrades in arms.
“The Irish are under the command of a German officer, First Lieut. Boehm, the representative of the Grand General Staff (Political Division) which is in direct communication with the subaltern in charge of the Irish. This subaltern has been receiving money direct, which he expends in the interests of the Irish; 250 marks were given him through the Commandant’s office, Zossen, and 250 marks by First Lieut. Boehm.
“Promotions, also, are made known by being directly communicated to the subaltern in question. As will appear from the enclosed copy, dated July 20, these promotions were as follows: (1) Sergeant Major, (2) Deputy Sergeant Major, and (3) Sergeants.
“The uniforms arrived between the end of July and the beginning of August. Their coming was announced in a letter dated July 20 (copy enclosed), and their distribution was ordered. The box of uniforms was addressed to Zossen, whence it was brought here. The uniforms consist of a jacket, trousers, and cap in Irish style, and are of huntsman’s green cloth. Altogether, uniforms arrived for fifty men, and they have since been given out. Three non-commissioned officers brought their uniforms with them from Limburg on July 16. Two photographs of the Irish are annexed.
“A few Irish are in correspondence with Sir Roger Casement, who, in a letter from Munich, dated Aug. 16, says that he hears that the Irish are shortly to be transferred from here to another place. In a letter dated July 17 he complains of his want of success, only fifty men having sent in their names as wishing to join the brigade.
“Six weeks ago Sir Roger Casement was here with First Lieutenant Boehm. Since then, however, neither of these gentlemen has personally visited the Irish.
“Since the 18th of June the commandant’s office has allowed every penniless Irishman two marks a week—a sum which is now being paid out to fifty-three men.
“On Aug. 6 the subaltern in charge of the Irish brigade was given a German soldier to help him.
“In this camp every possible endeavour is made to 277 help to attain the important objects in view, but owing to the Irish being accommodated with coloured races within the precincts of a closed camp, it is inevitable that serious dissensions and acts of violence should take place. Moreover, a German subaltern is not suited for dealing independently with Irishmen.
“(Sgd.) Hauptmann, d. R. a. D.,
“(Retired Captain on the Reserve List).”
The last paper read as follows:
“(COPY)
“(Wireless via Mexico)
“Berlin (no date).
“Ferez,
“N. Y.“Necessary close Nihla Quellen case immediately. Evidently useless expect her take service with us. Hold you responsible. Advise you take secret measures to end menace to our interests in Paris. D’Eblis urges instant action. Bolo under suspicion. Ex-minister also suspected. Only drastic and final action on your part can end danger. You know what to do. Do it.”
The telegram was signed with a string of letters and numerals.
Renoux glanced curiously at Barres, who had turned very red and was beginning to re-read the wireless.
When he finished, Renoux folded all the documents and placed them in the breast pocket of his coat.
“Mon ami, Barres,” he said pleasantly, “you and I have much yet to say to each other.”
“In the meanwhile, let us wash the stains of combat from our persons. What is the number of your collar?”
“Fifteen and a half.”
“I can fit you out. The bathroom is this way, old top!”