Switzerland: Prisoners, including: Increase in capitation rate of British interned...

Switzerland: Prisoners, including:

Increase in capitation rate of British interned prisoners of war in Switzerland:

• French opposition to suggested 1 franc increase and proposal for a lesser increase of 25 centimes, to be raised in proportion to inflation.
• Memorandum by Major General Sir John Hanbury Williams on meeting dated 18 October 1918 relating to the proposed increase in capitation rate.
• Note outlining terms by which the French Government agree to the increase in capitation rate.
• Negotiations with French Government to accept that increased rate should apply from 1 January 1917.

Maintenance of British prisoners of war in Switzerland:

• Abstract of account showing maintenance costs for July 1918.
• Details of maintenance payments and advances to British prisoners.

Proposed visit of Miss Mary Chomley, Sir Timothy Coghlan and Lady Coghlan to visit Australian prisoners of war in Switzerland:

• Letter from Mr Fisher, the High Commissioner of Australia, requesting that passports be granted.
• Letter from N F Batterbee, Secretary of State for the Colonies, urging that Sir T Coghlan be allowed to visit Switzerland and stating that rumours of pro-German sympathies are inaccurate.
• Correspondence giving Sir H Rumbold's reasons for refusing permission for Sir Coghlan and his party to travel to Switzerland.

Proposed visit of Surgeon General R Fetherstone to Australian prisoners in Switzerland.

Employment of British Red Cross and YMCA workers in Switzerland:

• Correspondence relating to difficulties experienced by Red Cross personnel in attempting to enter or leave Switzerland.
• Proposed visit of Sir Richard Ewart.
• Proposed use of Paris Embassy for Red Cross workers travelling to Switzerland.
• Authorisation sought for Reverend Travers H Falkiner to visit Switzerland in connection with YMCA work.
• Permission requested by Miss Evelyn Ewart to cross French border to Switzerland.
• Correspondence on question of providing civilian clothing for military prisoners of war working in civil life in Switzerland.

Repatriation of British prisoners from Switzerland:

• Telegram providing details of the number of prisoners released on 28 February 1918 for Creil Rouen and Havre, France.
• Letter from General Edward Vicars complaining of unsatisfactory conditions attending the repatriation from Switzerland via Lyons of British prisoners of war.
• Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Picot giving his views on the issues raised by General Edward Vicars.
• List of members of the mercantile marines repatriated from Switzerland and leaving for England on 27 February 1918.
• Transport arrangements including provision of ambulance trains for repatriation of British prisoners.
• Letter from Major de la Harpe concerning the arrival of British prisoners in Switzerland from Germany.

Appointment of Major General Sir J Hanbury Williams to replace Lieutenant Colonel Picot as officer in charge of British prisoners of war.

Administration of Central Prisoner of War Committee grants for British prisoners in Switzerland.

Report dated 1 April 1918, on the affairs of the British Red Cross Special Branch for Interned Prisoners in Switzerland.

Schemes by Dr F Davatz for establishing British sanatoriums at Zurich, Davos and Arosa.

Transfer of Mr P C Gillon, a Marconi officer, from Germany to Switzerland: arrangements for his treatment as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Private Josef Knowles and Lance Corporal Alfred E Saunders, drowned while attempting to escape from Germany: details of their burial by Swiss authorities.

Arrangements for repatriation of all Allied prisoners of war interned in Switzerland in accordance with the Armistice:

• Foreign Office statement that British prisoners should remain subject to Swiss discipline pending repatriation.
• Swiss concerns over feasibility of transporting prisoners from Germany owing to coal and rolling stock shortages.
• French provision of coal to facilitate repatriation of French prisoners of war via Switzerland.
• Inclusion of British prisoners in parties of French and Italian prisoners of war being repatriated via Switzerland.
• Arrangements for repatriation of German prisoners in Switzerland in accordance with article 2 of the Hague Agreement of 1918.
• YMCA request for work permits for two prospective secretaries, Miss Elsie Muriel Charles and Miss Dona Farmer: request denied on the assumption that secretaries will no longer be required due to imminent repatriation.

Recall of Major General Sir J Hanbury Williams from Berne.

Details of merchant seamen transferred from Germany:

• John Tobin of the Esmeralda: repatriated 27 February 1917.
• John Toby, Liberian steward on board the ship Banana transferred from Ruhleben to Rastatt prisoner of war camp on 11 October 1917.
• Mr Burlison and Mr Kelly of the Cordova, repatriated 5 December 1917.
• Mr Maclelland of the Colchester, repatriated 5 December 1917.
• Mr Sutherland and Mr Sulewan of the Otaki, repatriated 5 December 1917.
• Mr John of the Wairunga, repatriated 5 December 1917.
• Mr Turner of the Matunga, not repatriated owing to death while in Switzerland.

Code 1243 Files 23347 (papers 115670-end)-119332.

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