PRISONERS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 211, 25 May 1918, Page 7

PRISONERS OF WAR

EXCHANGE OF FIT MEN INADVISABLE

INHUMAN TREATMENT OF

BRITISHERS

London, May 23. The "Daily Express" says that, In epite of the Franco-German agreement to exchange 350,000 prisoners, the British authorities doubt the advisability of exchanging men capable of further military service, as it would tend to prolong the war. .It is definitely known that the German reserves are becoming exhausted. Recruits.of the 1920 class are in the field, whereas tlys Allies can rely ou American resources. Though tho release of British prisoners is' desirable on humanitarian grouds, other considerations outweigh these. Retaliatory measures against German officer prisoners 'will continue until tho authorities are satisfied that British soldiers are properly treated. Within a few days a detailed report will be issued upon the unspeakable cruelty to. which British prisoners are, subjected, particularly in the Tenth German Army District, by General von Hauisch and his subordinates, the brothers Niemeyer. Von Hanisch's inhumanity includes forced labour in coal and salt mines, where the men rarely see daylight and are starved and constantly assaulted. It is rumoured that negotiations will Ghortly be opened at The .Hague between the German and the British representatives regarding the exchange of prisoners.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MANY PRISONERS ESCAPE GERMAN COUNTItY FOLK LESS . VIGILANT. : Amsterdam, May 23. Owing to the fine weather there have been riumerous escapes of prisoners recently, mostly French, and occasionally an Australian," as the British camp is further from the frontier. Most of tho escapees work on farms, or disappear into the forests.. Their chief difficulty is in crossing the rivers, which are swift nml cold, and must he swum, as the bridges are carefully guarded. Escapees say that the, German country folk no longer exercise vigilance over escaping prisoners, though earlier in the .war they would have attempted to lynch , them. There is no longer the old hatred against prisoners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

50,000 RUSSfANS STARVED TO. DEATH

New York, May 23. Lady Muriel Paget, in a speech on behalf of tlie'-"Red Cross, assorted that 50,000 Russian prisoners had starved to death in Germany. If the Allies had cheered up Russia and used propaganda to counteract the German pi'opagaudu, Russia would still be in tho fightings-line.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn... I