EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 205, 18 May 1918, Page 7

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

THE FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT. . London, May lfl. In the House of Lords, Lord Newton paid that he had now see'.i the text of the Franco-German agreement. The most important clauso was that which provided for tiie repatriation of non-com-missioned officers and men, head ■ for head and grade for grade, if they had been in captivity over eighteen months. Officers .who had-jbeen imprisoned for tfio• same period would be interned in Switzerland, head for head, regardless of rank. The Germans declined to regard merchant seamen captured on- armed vessels as civilians. This point hud. caused acute controversy between England and Germany, and until it was' satisfactorily settled the Admiralty would not allow German-merchant seamen to leave Great Britain. Franco and Germany had agreed to the repatriation of civilians regardless of age or sex, or any undertaking as to Whether they would again be.used as soldiers. Although it was desirable that the Allies should act together, it was impossible io sscur© absolute t similarity of action. The number of British civilian prisoners in Germany was 3750, including 260U seamen, as against 21,000 Germans in Great Britain. ' The Marquis of Crewe, congratulated France on the excellent agreement reached, and said ho hoped that Great Britain would secure a similar one.—Aus.-A.Z. Cable Assn.

NEWSPAPERS URGE A BRITISH ARRANGEMENT. London, May 16. The' newspapers criticise the Government's ignorance of the Franco-German agreement for the exchange of prisoners, ivnd urge that Britain should arrange for h- similar exchange.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S ACTION, i (Rec. May 17, . 11.50 p.m.) London,' May 17. The Press Bureau, in order to"correct a misapprehension, has officially stated that the Government has for a considerable period advocated the release. of nt combatant prisoners of war for internment in a neutral country, but not for repatriation. .It has been.only, possible to apply the policy, to officers and noncommissioned officers, because Germany hitherto has refused to extend it to-pri-vates As regards the repatriation ot fit combatants, the Government has always acted in consultation with, the Allies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.