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
In any case, corporals and sergeants are not allowed to work.
_Religion and Recreation._--The prisoners are quite free to follow their
own religious practices, which are performed thrice a day ordinarily,
and six or seven times daily during Ramadan. Music and singing are
permitted; prisoners have manufactured several guitars and violins.
_Correspondence._--Most of the prisoners brought money with them; some
have received sums of money from their families through the Turkish Red
Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross. They receive the
amount in weekly instalments of 30 piastres (about 6 shillings) per
month. Each person has a separate current account with the camp
accountant.
Letters take from three weeks to three months to get from the sender to
the prisoner to whom they are addressed. Some of them are sent through
the American Consul at Cairo. Very few of the prisoners can write, but
these may do so as often and for as long as they wish. There is no
system of delaying correspondence after delivery or before despatch.
_Prisoners' Aid._--There is no relief committee in the camp; so far, no
general relief funds have been sent. Sergeant-Major Hussein Hissan, a
native of Constantinople, told us that, although there were many poor
prisoners in the camp, there was no need to send help, as all prisoners
are well fed, well clothed and supplied with tobacco.
_Prisoners' Behaviour._--What strikes one more than anything else on
entering the camp is the prevailing orderliness and cleanliness. A
Turkish sergeant-major commands each group of huts, and a Turkish
sergeant is responsible for each dormitory. The prisoners are smart,
give the military salute and come to attention at the orders of the
non-commissioned officers when those in command pass through the camp.
Sergeant-Major Hassar Mohammed, from Angora, and Hamid Abdallah, from
Koniah (Asia Minor), told us, on behalf of their fellow prisoners, that
they had no complaints to make, and assured us of the kind treatment
which they receive.
On their part, the English officers and non-commissioned officers
declared that the prisoners are well disciplined and very willing. In
short, we took away with us an excellent impression of Heliopolis Camp.
~2. Hospital No. 2, at Abbassiah, near Cairo.~
_(Visited on January 2, 1917.)_
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