Turkish Prisoners in Egypt: A Report by the Delegates of the International Committee of the Red CrossInternational Committee of the Red Cross
History
Turkish Prisoners in Egypt: A Report by the Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross
World War, 1914-1918 -- Prisoners and prisons, British
_Games and Recreations._--As regards games and recreations, the
prisoners are interested only in wrestling, cards and dominoes. They
have been introduced to football without success. Some have shown great
skill in the manufacture of mandolines, guitars, and tambourines. All
materials as well as games are provided gratis by the British
Government. The camp commandant has bought the men some gramophones.
Many prisoners make articles of coloured beads--handbags, purses,
necklaces, bracelets, etc.--which show considerable artistic taste. We
bought one of these beautiful pieces of work as a specimen. The articles
sell readily in the curiosity shops at Cairo. One section of 1,200
prisoners netted from the sales a sum of 2,500 francs in a fortnight.
_Correspondence._--Most of the prisoners receive very few letters or
none. They are allowed to write in their language once a fortnight, but
take very little advantage of the permission. It seems that many letters
addressed to their families in Turkey come back again, as the addressee
has not been found. Some Turks captured near Bagdad and transported to
Burmah received their money from home, but have not received any more
during the one or two months that have elapsed since they were
transferred to Maadi. It is probable that the money was sent home again,
or forwarded officially to the new place of internment, and this takes a
long time. Several prisoners have taken advantage of their captivity to
learn reading and writing with their comrades' assistance. Many men had
money on them when they were taken. This money is lodged, and handed to
them at demand in monthly payments. Many soldiers have received money
orders from their families through the International Committee of the
Red Cross. Parcels, which are seldom received, are opened in the
presence of the addressee. Only knives are confiscated.
_Help for Prisoners._--Leaving out of consideration the wish expressed
by some men to have a little money for buying extra tobacco and coffee,
we are satisfied that there are no needy persons in the camp at Maadi.
_Mentality._--The many questions which we have asked show that there is
no dissatisfaction among the prisoners with regard to the treatment they
receive. Prisoners have mentioned to us chiefly their anxiety about
their families, of whom they have no news. The Armenian clergy at Cairo
look after their fellow-countrymen.
~4. The Egyptian Red Cross Hospital at Cairo~.
_(Visited on January 4, 1917.)_
The Egyptian Red Cross, under the presidency of His Highness Prince Fuad
Pasha, being anxious to help its co-religionists, founded in March,
1915, a hospital for sick and wounded prisoners of war. This hospital is
under the sole management of the Turkish Red Cross, which is in touch
with the British authorities through Dr. Keatinge, Professor of the
Faculty of Medicine at Cairo.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account