when war was declared and could not get home.

Though our mission was to visit the Turkish prisoners, we made a point
of concerning ourselves equally with the Austrians and Germans, and of
entering into conversation with them.

Several Ottoman prisoners in the camp were making the pilgrimage to
Mecca when they were captured by the Sherif's troops and passed over to
the English authorities, who interned them. The camp at Ras-el-Tin was
to be evacuated in a few days' time, and all the occupants were to be
transferred to Sidi Bishr Camp, now prepared to accommodate 5,000 men.
In this camp there will be a special section for civilians.

The commandant of Ras-el-Tin is Major F.G. Owens, who takes the greatest
interest in his prisoners. Every day he personally receives anyone who
has a wish or a complaint to bring forward.

The camp was visited in 1916 by the American Consul from Alexandria, and
also by the American chargé d'affaires from Athens.


_Accommodation._--The civilians interned in the camp of Ras-el-Tin are
placed in tents. These circular tents, set up either on the sand or on a
cement base, each contain three men. Those of the Ottoman prisoners form
one sectional group of 24 tents. In the centre of each tent is a
wire-work cupboard to contain personal belongings. The space inside the
tent is ample for the three beds. Some prisoners are provided with
matting and small rugs.

In the stone buildings surrounding the court a certain number of rooms