THE BRITISH INTERNED
IN SWITZERLAND

PREFACE

Ingiving the following pages to the public,I do so in the hope that a plain statementof the life and activities of British soldierswhilst interned in Switzerland may prove ofinterest to those at home who have shown inso many and diverse ways their concern for thewelfare of their countrymen whilst Prisonersof War in Germany, and, later, during the periodof their internment in Switzerland. I havespecially dwelt upon the fruitful initiative takenby the Swiss Government in the negotiationswhich preceded the acceptance by the belligerentStates of the principle of internment. I have alsoendeavoured to show—I fear very inadequately—withwhat whole-heartedness the Prisoners ofWar were welcomed in their midst by all classesof the population; and with what devotionthe Medical Department of the Swiss Army,to whose officers the organization of the campsand the care of the sick were delegated, setabout its task.

With regard to the status of Prisoners ofWar in Switzerland, it should be borne in mind{viii}that the Interned were under the guardianshipof the Swiss Government, who undertook allresponsibility for their care, discipline, andmedical treatment. A special officer, or diplomat,(as in the case of France and Germany), nominatedby each of the belligerent States, was attachedto his Embassy or Legation with a viewto his collaboration with the Swiss politicaland military authorities in respect of all mattersaffecting the welfare of his interned countrymen,the more delicate international questions arisingout of the internment being dealt with by theChiefs of the Diplomatic Missions accreditedto Switzerland.

I have said elsewhere, and perhaps I maybe permitted a repetition, that the sense of apossible all-world-brotherhood had one of itshappiest demonstrations in the attitude of theSwiss people towards the unfortunate sufferersof the war.

In conclusion, I beg to express my indebtednessand thanks to Lady Grant Duff for many ofthe details connected with Chapters IV. andV., as also to my wife and daughter for thoseof Chapter XIV. on the social life of Bernefrom 1914 to 1918.

CONTENTS