PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
* Reference :—
ITCO 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAMEENOT TO
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GIBRALTAR.
The organization for the safeguarding of the prisoners consists of a Com- mandant, with one officer to assist him, and a sufficient staff of non-commissioned officers. The guard is quartered in adjoining barracks, and consists of half a com- pany of infantry, which finds the necessary sentries.
The prisoners have caused little trouble.
The situation of Windmill Hill is such that escape is practically impossible. Four attempts have been made, and in three cases the individual was recaptured In the within a few hours and within a short distance of the confinement area. fourth case the prisoner was fired on at the boundary fence by the sentry, after repeated warnings to return to his hut, and was wounded. He subsequently died in hospital, and was buried with military honours.
I have frequently visited the prisoners and have heard any complaints, which have been few.
In accordance with instructions received from you, the American Consul here recently investigated the treatment of prisoners, and has drawn up a report, which has been forwarded for your information.
There has been no work here in which I could suitably employ prisoners of war, and consequently only the necessary labour in connection with the cooking and the general cleanliness of the barracks has been performed by the prisoners themselves.
It will be borne in mind that the prisoners here had taken no part in the war, and were chiefly well-to-do citizens from North or South America, proceeding, how- ever, to enemy countries to join the belligerent forces.
VII. Relations with Spain.-Relations with Spain prior to the outbreak of war were very friendly. General Muñoz-Cobo was succeeded as Governor of Algeciras and the Campo of Gibraltar by General Alsina y Netto, a few months before the war. Both showed themselves well disposed to us, and incidents which constantly occur in the Campo were settled without friction.
As already stated, the action of Spain as regards supplies was unexpected, and was disconcerting to us. It was not, I think, prompted by unfriendly considera- tions, but was due partly to a desire to maintain a strict neutrality and partly to safeguard their own supplies.
Speaking Public opinion in Spain with regard to the war is conflicting. broadly, the Clerical party are "Germanofilos," and their organs in the Press are opposed to the Allies. The upper classes, especially ladies of ultra-Clerical views, are in this category, as are most military, as opposed to naval, officers. But there are in all these classes very important exceptions. In the neighbourhood of Gib- raltar and at Algeciras opinion is not generally friendly, and it is somewhat curious that this want of sympathy extends to some who have been closely intimate with Gibraltar all their lives. But it is fair to add that this feeling arises more from their active dislike of France than from enmity to us. The general attitude of the people of Spain is said to be in our favour.
German agents.-The German agents in Southern Spain may be classified under the following headings:-
1. Consuls and Consular agents.
2. Political agents of German and Austrian nationality ostensibly engaged
in trade.
3. Spanish Anglophobes.
4. Moorish and Turkish Anglophobes.
Class 1 appear to have been extremely active since the beginning of the war, especially as follows:-
(a) Reporting the movements of shipping, apparently to the German Embassy in Madrid. They were especially requested to report move- ments of ships and details of their appearance and cargoes which leave their respective districts for European ports outside Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
(b) Organizing the distribution of pro-German literature, which appears
to emanate mostly from Barcelona.
The German Vice-Consul at Algeciras, Alfred Walther, is a typical example of this class.
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Class 2 seem to undertake the following:-
(a) Arranging for the smuggling of arms and ammunition into Morocco to
be used against the French.
(b) Causing alarms to be spread, such as mine-laying by trawlers in the Straits of Gibraltar, aeroplane attacks on Gibraltar, etc., with the object of creating bad feeling between the British and Spanish Govern-
ments.
Mannesman Brothers and Westheimer are examples of this class.
(c) Assisting in the distribution of literature. This class practically assumed control of German interests in Spain on the outbreak of war. Class I were of minor importance.
Class 3 are apparently chiefly composed of the Clerical party and of army officers.
Class 4 appear to be mostly engaged in the Morocco arms traffic and causing political unrest in Morocco. Monghaitz and Avenin are examples of this class.
The following persons have been dealt with by the civil police as suspects since the commencement of the war:--
Robert Polischensky, Austrian.
Arrested on 17th August, 1914; discharged Supreme Court 24th
November, 1914. Rearrested as prisoner of war.
Gaston Greher, German,
Arrested 17th August, 1914; handed over to military as prisoner of
war 21st August, 1914.
Karl Wilhelm Ernst Meyer, German.
Arrested on 16th October, 1914, and handed over to military as prisoner
of war 17th October, 1914.
Augusto Dickmann, German.
Arrested on 20th October, 1914, and handed over to military as prisoner
of war same date.
Leopold Gustave Pajot, French.
Arrested on 22nd December, 1914; charge withdrawn by police 25th January, 1915 Rearrested by military same date; handed over
to French authorities on 13th February, 1915.
Sid Mohamed Belahodi el Fasi, Moor.
Arrested on 23rd December, 1914; charge withdrawn by police 18th January, 1915. Rearrested by military on same date; handed over to French authorities on 13th February, 1915. ·
Hamed Gumari, Moor,
evidence, 8th
Arrested on 20th December, 1914; discharged, no
January, 1915. Spanish Press-Very large sums have been spent by Germany in subsidizing the Spanish Press. It undoubtedly does us harm, but it is doubtful if the result repays the expenditure. Of the twelve principal Madrid papers, one, the Epoca, is official, and is neutral but friendly. Seven are on our side, and the following four are opposed to us: the A.B.C., Clerical, supported by the German Government; the Debate, ultra-Catholic and strongly pro-German; the Correo Español, Carlist and in German pay; the Tribuna, also in German pay.
In these papers much capital is made of our possession of Gibraltar, and the Tribuna issued a statement that we publish in Fortress Orders the name of the regiment held in readiness to invade Spain! Old grievances, such as our action in forbidding her to erect fortifications on the Sierra Carbonera, are raked up, and constant references are made to statements attributed to the Kaiser that he will, if the Germans are successful, restore Gibraltar to Spain.
Some of the articles, especially in the A.B.C., are obviously written by Germans. The best articles are those in the Correspondencia de España, which is on our side.
The tone, however, of the pro-German papers seems to be getting more moderate, and when we commence to obtain decisive advantages we shall probably see a further change.
The Gibraltarian Press-El Calpense and El Anunciador-have been through- out of the greatest assistance. and have given the Colonial Government here every