MANACLING OF PRISONERS

Evening Star, Issue 24324, 13 October 1942, Page 3

MANACLING OF PRISONERS

BRITISH POLICY FIRM HOPES OF AVOIDING COMPETITION IN INHUMANITY LONDON, October 11. “ While Britain intends to be firm in its attitude with regard to the manacling of prisoners, there is nevertheless real anxiety on the part of members of the War Cabinet to avoid any competition jn inhumanity,” says the ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ diplomatic correspondent. “It is believed in London that Germany, having made the gesture, may abruptly abandon the whole matter.” The German official News Agency stated: “The German High Command will shortly issue a comprehensive survey of the treatment of German prisoners by the British. The British statement that no prisoners taken to England from Dieppe were bound does not apply. The Germans never stated that they were bound. The German High Command, however, stated that a number of Germans temporarily taken prisoner at Dieppe were bound. The soldiers concerned have made sworn statements to that effect. In addition, there are photographs of a labour soldier of the Todt Organisation who was killed while bound. Apart from these indisputable proofs the British War Ministry can hardly make anyone believe that a military order of which the existence is admitted was not carried out. “With regard to the British statement that four of 'the Sark prisoners were bound and had to be shot _in order to prevent them making a noise, German quarters make the following comment:—‘The Germans, when captured, were barefooted or wearing only socks and shirts. It is absolutely ridiculous to declare that they _ were shot to prevent them from making a noise. The shooting doubtless caused a far greater noise. The British are mistaken when they say that they shot four German soldiers; in fact, only two were shot, as the other two survived, although one was wounded. ‘ Their statements have been drawn up in a legal document.’ ” It is officially announced that a certain number of German prisoners of war have been fettered in Canada. All those manacled) were medically fit. The total numlber in Canada and Britain will equal the number the Germans announced that they fettered on October 9.