TYING HANDS OF PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 14, 12 October 1942, Page 5

TYING HANDS OF PRISONERS

Statement By Britain FURTHER GERMAN THREAT

ißrllMi Official Wirelessi (Received October 11, 7.5 p.m.)

RUGBY, October 10.

In order that the true facts of the controversy about tying the hands of prisoners of war may be clearly put before the public, the following statement lias been issued by the British Government:

“In the Dieppe raid an order was issued without authority to the effect that, wherever possible, the hands of prisoners of war were to lie bound so that they could not destroy their papers. On the complaint of the German Government, the War Office at once, and before there had been time to make an inquiry, issued a statement that if any such order had been issued it would be countermanded, because they considered such an order might be held to imply that, irrespective of the circumstances, the hands of prisoners of war should be bound. On inquiries being made, no evidence was found that any of the prisoners brought back from Dieppe had had their hands tied. But the existence of the order came to light and it was countermanded. “The raid on Sark was carried out by a party of ten officers and men. Seven of the party captured five Germans. The hands of the Germans were tied in order that their arms might be linked with their captors. No orders written or otherwise bad been issued, ,but the prisoners had to be taken past German-occupied barracks on the way to the boats and precautions were therefore necessary. In spite of the precautions, four of the five Germans broke away shouting and had to be shot to prevent them raising the alarm.

“The Geneva convention contains no statement about tying the hands of prisoners, but prescribes humane treatment. The question at issue is therefore what constitutes humane treatment. Clearly this differs according to the circumstances. There is a wide difference between what is appropriate to a prisoner in safe custody and a prisoner in the course of a battle. It is to be observed that the actions complained of by the German Government occurred during a battle, .but that they have themselves taken action to tie the hands of prisoners of war far removed from the battlefield as an act of reprisal. Acts of reprisal against prisoners of war are specifically forbidden by the Geneva Convention.” New German Threat.

A German, communique states: “Following the declaration of October 7 that reprisals would be instituted against the chaining of German prisoners who were taken at Dieppe and Sark, the British reply contained only subterfuges and referred to statements by prisoners who had not been tied up. The reply states further that the British authorities did not, and would not, approve of chaining. The German High Command did not declare itself satisfied with this hypocritical statement, and as a consequence, on Octo 7 ber 8, at noon, 107 British officers and 1269 N.0.0.’s and men were manacled after they had been told the reason. Army padres, hospital personnel, and wounded and sick prisoners had not been manacled. “On October 8 the British announced that at noon on October 10 the same number of German prisoners in British hands would be manacled. If this measure comes into force the German High Command will issue orders that on the same date, at the same time, three times as many British prisoners in Germany will be manacled. The “Manchester Guardian suggests that it is possible that the Nazis hope to check our commando raids by these methods, but it is more likely that thev are anxious, knowing the reputation they have gained, to spread abroad the impression . that our methods are brutal and their own conduct hot worse than ours Authoritative circles, however, incline to the former view and consider that the commando and other raids have shaken the Germans severely. An Italian broadcast threat ot reprisals against British prisoners of war for the alleged shooting by Ausralians of a surrounded Italian workin- partv in the Western Desert on September 30 is the subject of comment bv the Australian Army Mimstei, Mr. Forde’: who states that no officii. 1 rennet has been received to substantiate (lie allegations, but adds that, he will have reasonable inquiries made. British Action. The “Eveiiing Standard” reports that 107 German officers and 1269 men were put in handcuffs at noon today. The “Daily Mail” says Britain is maintaining close contact with Cniiada, and Mr. Churchill personally elm phoned Mr. Mackenzie King. A la. A proportion of German prisonei eluding members of the Afrika Ko I , are interned in Canada. a.., iSiq It is learned in London that the bwi-S representatives have not received instructions from Berne to I he conditions of the German piisOiierH held in Britain nor to interio„.itc them. 'Meanwhile, Italy and Germa » are flooding the world with talk 01. reprisals. . , , f The "Daily Mail” points out that the German efforts Io secure a labour Turco of 150,000 from France ha'failed. If a considerable I" -0 !' 01 '* 1 ", of tile 90,000 British prisoners ill Utimany could be used, most ot tile Ge - ninas’ desired labour force would made up. The launching of reprisals against prisoners may therefore > planned to incite Britain to serious retaliation which could be used to pto that all international restrictions on the use of captives have gone by the board. “The ’Times” diplomatic correspondent says the Italian announcement strongly suggests that the reprisal measures were prepared well in advance and were concerted between the

senior and junior Axis partners, lhe enemy’s attitude defies normal standards' of analysis. Seldom has the ruthlessness and evil force against which we are fighting more clearly shown its face. ANGER IN CANADA (Received October 11, 9.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 10. Tlie "New York Times” Ottawa correspondent. states that nothing in this war Ims so roused public anger as the German shackling of prisoners. Though It is not definitely known that Canadians have been chained, the German statement, specifically mentioned the Dieppe prisoners, most of whom are Canadians. It was hoped that, the British threat of reprisals would deter the Nazis, most Canadians refusing to believe tiiat any Government could inqiose unmerited punishment on defenceless persons, but now that Canadian resentment is fully roused, the demand for reprisals has been universal, and, despite reluctance to break humane laws regarding the treatment of war prisoners, the Government had no alternative. So far only soldiers have been chained in Canada, the order not applying to air force and naval prisoners.