PRISONERS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 6

PRISONERS OF WAR

i ALLIES PREPARED FOR DRASTIC MEASURES' . _ I ■ ; GERMANY TO BE BROUGHT UP TO LINE . i London, October 13. '• ' • The-Press Bureau has .issued a state- : meritby the Interdepartmental Commit- ! tee on War Prisoners/announcing the of "Germany's refusal to ratify | the Anglo-German agreement unless | ' guarantees are given against the depots' .tation or internment of' Germans in ! China. The statement proceeds to say i that the' Government is determined to t'ako drastic steps to end the continued ; maltreatment of British war prisoners j behind the lines and in the salt mines ! 'and elsewhere. j 'Aooordingly, it demands that Ger- < many shall redress these grievances, j .partißularly'by the- following steps:— .(1) Immediately remove prisoners to not {' less than 30 kilometres (19 miles) beihind the firing line;-(2) afford proper 'humane treatment for prisouers in the I. occupied territories ana elsewhere J (3) ( permit representatives of the Nethcr- [" lands /to inspect the occupied territory [ behind the lines with a view to ascer- ) taining if grievances are redressed; (4) j.: undertake that no prisoner shall hence--1 forth be employed in the salt mines; • ; (5) carry out the articles of the recent I ! Hague agreement containing a humane I iiode for the treatment of prisoners, j " Germany has been notified that uni : less within four weeks these requirej menfcs are acoapted, and Britain is satisI fied by neutral representatives that the ; necessary action has been taken, Brij tain will in concert with the Allies take j such reprisals, as may be deemed necessary- to compel Germany to treaty priI soners iu accordance with international | law and the practice of civilised nations. | In any case Britain will hold Germany i responsible for the unlawful and in- | human treatment of prisoners, and will take all steps in her powor to ensure I that the persons responsible for the out- | rages are' punished. Tho naturo of furi ther reprisals which may be taken will ; be considered in consultation with the | Allies. j Steps are also being taken to secure . : better treatmont of prisoners in Turkj. ish hands. Instructions have been sent i .to General Allenby that, in the event ! of an armistijbe with Turkey the immei diate and unconditional leturn of nrij soners should bo required.-Ans.-N.Z. . Gable Assn.-R-euter.'