1 Irish Prisoners, Internment Camp, Frangoch, Wales. 11th Oct. 1916. To. William O' Brien Esq. M.P. House of Commons. Sir:- We, the undersigned, being the duty elected camp leaders of
the Irish Prisoners, interned at Frangoch, are desirous of
drawing your attention to several very grave complaints concerning
the food supplied to us here, both with regard to its quantity
and quality. We have already lodged all these complaints both
to Military Authorities of this camp, and visiting Officials,
but no redress has been given. First, with regard to the bread, generally speaking it has
been bad, both with regard to the quality of flour or other
substitutes used, and its baking, since our first arrival here.
For the month of July it was so bad that 160 of the prisoners
could not eat it all, while many others had to be content
with the crusts. An application was made to the Commandant, that
brown bread be supplied; and after some time he informed the
leaders that the Home Office would not accede to the request. Secondly, with regard to the meat, we are only allowed 8ozs.
of meat per man per diem, and as this allowance, also includes
the bone, fat, and suet it will readily be seen that the quantity
is altogether inadequate. The meat which is invariably supplied
to us is New Zealand Frozen, and on two occasions it has been
condemned by the doctor as absolutely unfit for human consumption. Thirdly, with regard to the potatoes. It is practically
impossible for an Irishman to imagine such potatoes - they are
small, wet, and soapy in appearance and texture. And they have
also been condemned by the doctor on one occasion as unfit for
human consumption, but nevertheless no change was made, or
anything else given in lieu, and the prisoner might either eat 2 them or leave them. Since the 19th August last, salt herrings have been
supplied to us for dinner of Fridays. But these herrings have
been very imperfectly cured with the result that they are also
unfit for human consumption. Our military guardians have
refused to supply a better quality of fish, or even a substitute
with the result that Friday's dinner costs the Prisoners £2
which have to be drawn from their private fund. In future the
prisoners do not intend taking these herrings from the military
as doing so only means that later on they are thrown into the
Camp Swill tube. Fourthly, with regard to the margarine supplied in lieu
of butter. Its flavour is wretched, and even if it was any
way palatable, the allowance per man per diem is totally
inadequate being only one oz. per man per diem. Fifthly, with regard to the tinned milk. Tins of this
milk are being frequently condemned by the doctor, as unfit
for human food. Sixthly, there is for too much preserved vegetables supplied
to the prisoners, and last August a request was made by the
prisoners that they be given more fresh vegetables in the
interests of their health, but no redress has ever been given
us in this respect. Skin disease is breaking out among the
prisoners as a result of the excess of preserved food supplied
to them — there being three prisoners at present isolated on
account of skin disease. The quantity of fresh vegetables
supplied, apart altogether from its quality is absolutely
inadequate, 2ozs. per man per diem only being allowed. Seventhly, all the tinned food sent to the prisoners by
their friends and relations are opened by the censor with the
result that the prisoners must of necessity eat the contents
there and then, or else empty them into the swill tub. Eighthly, owing to the pest of rats which infest the whole
place it is impossible to keep private supplies of food in the
room, without it being damaged, partly or in whole by the 3 rodents. And in one case, a prisoner had his face bitten by
one of the rats, and was for some days under the medical
attendance on that account. Having read these details you will agree with us, that
detaining such a large body of untried and unconvicted
Irishmen under such conditions, is neither Christian nor
humane. We desire to remain, Sir,
Your obedient servants, Head Leader
(acting) No.1 Room Leader
No.2 ' '
No.3 ' '
No.4 ' ' P.S. Much larger quantities of food stuffs would be
received from committees, and even individuals, for distribution
among the general body of prisoners here, were it not for a rule
made by the Commandant whereby the acknowledging of such
foodstuffs is strictly reserved to himself, the Camp leaders
being entirely prohibited making acknowledgements of receipt
by them of such food stuffs.