GERMAN PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 174, 17 April 1919, Page 6

GERMAN PRISONERS

DERANGEMENTS FOR EBPATEIA. TION. The German prisoners of war and internees, whose departure from New Zealaud this month was announced in yesterday's Dominion, are to siiil on the Willochra. about April 23. The vessel will proceed to Australia, where other German prisoners will be shipped, up to the limit of the available accommodation.

The number of Germans to be sent from New Zealand has been increased to about 400. These includes all the prisoners of war, who are confined at present at Narrow Neck Camp, Auckland; nioit of the official prisoners and a proportion pf Hie interne* German civilians. Tho interned Germans, most of whom are at Featherston ("amp, were given a choice between returning to their own country and staying in New Zealand. About 170 of the Germans at. Fealherston have elected to go back to Germany, leaving 200 others for future disposal.

The Germans who are to sail on the Willochrn include Count von Luckner, Lieutenants Kircheis, awl navnl ratings from the raider Sea Adlcr. These men me prisoners of war and have no right to bs consulted as to their return to Germany. The draft will also include the following German officials from Samoa:—Dr. Schultz (ex-Governor), A. Mars and W, Meyer (official secretaries), Dr. G. iSessous (agricultural adviser), Max llirsch (wireless expert), Otto Sperf ling (Customs officer), J. Henniger (general adviser), and Dr. G. Schubert.

Tho ' interned' Germans remaining in New Zealand will be heW at Feathcvston Camp until the terms of tho pence treaty are known. Some of the men 'have business connections in Now Zealand, and wish to remain in this country. Some wieh to return to plantations and businesses nt Samoa, nnd others desire to look for employment. Germany does not attract, them at the present time. Some , of them claim that they loft Germany before tho wnr, determined never to return,