THEIR "WORD OF HONOUR"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2855, 21 August 1916, Page 6

THEIR "WORD OF HONOUR"

1 GERMAN PAROLE-BREAKERS PROTEST FROM THE UNITED STATES Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. (Rec. August 20, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, August 18. _ A White Book which has beon published reveals the fact that nine German officers and sailors who escaped from interned warships have- not been traced. Two others were caught; one is a prisoner In Scotland, and two reached Germany. The last-named wore 3£ruger-Kroneck, a surgeon, and Otto Brauer, second officer of the Prin7, Eitel Friederich. They wore allowed out on parolo to visit Niagara, but did not return. Another officer, Lieutenant Koch, violated his parolo to the British, and was arrested on board a Danish ship. It is believed that Brauer took part in the Jutland fight. Six officers who escaped from a yacht in October of 1915 have not been found. Mr, Robert Lansing (United States Secretary of State) lias protested to Count Bernstorff, stating that the system of giving parole would be discontinued. He pointed out that in the Russo-Japanese War, parole-breakers wore returned by Germany. Count Bernstorff replied that the officers had not heen sufficiently instructed regarding the pledge, and did not think that they themselves had been guilty of a breach of honour. Kruger-Kroneck would be instructed to return to his vessel when a safe conduct tad heen assured. Mr. Lansing replied that ho must assumo that the officers in question understood tho meaning of the word parole, and asserted that Kroneck had been supplied with money witli -which to purchase a yacht, in which cithers escaped. Mr. Lansing emphasised the point that means must bo taken to prevent a repetition of these incidents by a redoubling of vigilance on tho part of the United States Government.