to suffer restricted movement, the surrender of their passports, the ‘jingoism’
of the German press, rising public opinion against them, and occasional
attacks on themselves or their property. Many became reluctant to speak their
mother tongue in public places but at least they could return to their families
at night. But with the introduction of internment things became worse …
much worse.
14.2.2 The Ruhleben Internment Camp, Arrest
and Transfer
In some respects, Germany’s ultimatum ‘backfired’ on her, for she was
completely unprepared for the consequences of its rejection—especially in
terms of housing the British internees. At the meeting on October 17th the
case for immediate internment may not have been made but in one aspect the
general staff were united, that if internment was introduced then prisoners
should not be accommodated in or near Berlin. Berlin otherwise would
become a ‘goldfish bowl’ with the whole world and her representatives generating a constant stream of visits. Too much international publicity was bad,
for things would inevitably not run as smoothly as international law
demanded and the Allies would undoubtedly capitalize on German failings.
The Prussian Ministry of War was therefore advised to begin the search for a
suitable internment camp for British civilians away from the capital.
However, an internment camp already existed in Berlin. It was at the disused
Ruhleben
14 racecourse just a few miles from the centre of the city, and it had
been used as a place of internment from the very beginning of the war.
Acquired by the Ministry of War in September 1914 to house Russian and
Polish prisoners from the Berlin area, it also accommodated a handful of
Japanese and British citizens who the Germans suspected as ‘spies or miscreants’
15 but who more likely drew attention to themselves by challenging
the authorities as to the way in which it behoved them to order their lives. The
authorities therefore ordered their lives for them.
16 When the German ultimatum was rejected and the mass arrests began, the Ministry of War had still
not found a suitable camp away from the capital. Because of the rapidity with
which internment was ‘forced’ upon Germany and the sheer numbers of
prisoners involved, Ruhleben—despite all the misgivings—became the
short-term solution. In the event it was to remain the main camp for British
internees throughout the war (Plate 14.1).
14 Robert’s War 1914–1918
279
of the German press, rising public opinion against them, and occasional
attacks on themselves or their property. Many became reluctant to speak their
mother tongue in public places but at least they could return to their families
at night. But with the introduction of internment things became worse …
much worse.
14.2.2 The Ruhleben Internment Camp, Arrest
and Transfer
In some respects, Germany’s ultimatum ‘backfired’ on her, for she was
completely unprepared for the consequences of its rejection—especially in
terms of housing the British internees. At the meeting on October 17th the
case for immediate internment may not have been made but in one aspect the
general staff were united, that if internment was introduced then prisoners
should not be accommodated in or near Berlin. Berlin otherwise would
become a ‘goldfish bowl’ with the whole world and her representatives generating a constant stream of visits. Too much international publicity was bad,
for things would inevitably not run as smoothly as international law
demanded and the Allies would undoubtedly capitalize on German failings.
The Prussian Ministry of War was therefore advised to begin the search for a
suitable internment camp for British civilians away from the capital.
However, an internment camp already existed in Berlin. It was at the disused
Ruhleben
14 racecourse just a few miles from the centre of the city, and it had
been used as a place of internment from the very beginning of the war.
Acquired by the Ministry of War in September 1914 to house Russian and
Polish prisoners from the Berlin area, it also accommodated a handful of
Japanese and British citizens who the Germans suspected as ‘spies or miscreants’
15 but who more likely drew attention to themselves by challenging
the authorities as to the way in which it behoved them to order their lives. The
authorities therefore ordered their lives for them.
16 When the German ultimatum was rejected and the mass arrests began, the Ministry of War had still
not found a suitable camp away from the capital. Because of the rapidity with
which internment was ‘forced’ upon Germany and the sheer numbers of
prisoners involved, Ruhleben—despite all the misgivings—became the
short-term solution. In the event it was to remain the main camp for British
internees throughout the war (Plate 14.1).
14 Robert’s War 1914–1918
279