PRISONERS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 204, 17 May 1918, Page 5

PRISONERS OF WAR

STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. London, May 15. Lord Nowton, Assistant Under-Secre-tary for Foreign Affairs, announced in the Houso of Lords that France and Germany havo agreed to mako an equal exchange of military an.l civilian prisoners, including able-bodied men who navo been m captivity for eighteen months or more. Iho agreement affects about 330,000 French and Germans. Britain was now prepared to reconsider tho subject. Lord Newton suggested' three years' captivity as a possiblo qualification for exchange Tho number would not be groat, tho procedure wou'.d bo slow, and it would bo impossible for tho enemy (o gain any military advantage. Lord Burnham pressed for a speedy decision, and made an appeal on behalf of tho dying and tortured remnants of tho old army— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. (Rec. May IG, 7.30 p.m.) London, May 15. Lord Newton explains that though tho British authorities wore entirely sympathetic, thoy were opposed to .an exchange of prisoners because that'would prolong tho war. Tho Government thought that if Britain acquiesced the othor Allies would follow suit, thus loading to an enormous exchange. Ho was surprised lo find that Franco and Germany had agreed upon a far-reaching exchange. The Government had not yet «con tho text of tho agrcomont, whioh had altered the whole situation. Lord Now ton's idea was that tho exchange would apply to combatants and civilians aiiko.—Aus.-N.Z, Cablo Assn,