EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 August 1918, Page 5

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

o FAR-REACHiNG AGREMENT. DIPFICTJLTY WITH TURKEY. LONDON, July 25. . In the House of Dodds yesterday. Lord Newton, Assistant Under Secretary for Foreign 'Affairs, replying to Lord Devonport, said that the AngloGerman agrement regarding prisoners cf war was very far-reaching, and involved the exchange of a very large number of combatants and the repatriation of all civilians who so wished. The agreement also dealt with the relief and treatment of prisoners.

The speedy ratification of the treaty was difficult, as there were points requiring much consideration, and reservations on the part of Germany might occasion delay, but the British were doing their utmost to expedite such ratification.

As regarded prisoners of war in Turkey, Lord Newton said that the position was more difficult. Turkey did not know her own mind, 'and did not wish for any exchange of prisoners. No means had been neglected to come to an agreement with Turkey, hut so far they had been rather unsuccessful. The Berne Conference had ' led to an Improvement of the treat- j merit of prisoners of war. . The reason why parcels of food had not reached our prisoners in Turkey was because Austria had stopped them. We had now stopped parcels from Austria to Austrian prisoners here, hoping thereby to improve the position of our prisoners in Turkey. The Government wished to despatch a , ship with Turkish prisoners, sending ] by her food and clothing for British 1 prisoners in Turkey, but the ship’s safety must be guaranteed. He doubted whether Turkey had taken steps to obtain such safeguards from Germany | and Austria. I

Lord Newton said that he had induced the leading German delegate at The Hague to promise to take up this matter on his return to Berlin. The Cabinet was prepared to make further proposals, but the prospects oi Turkey agreeing to the total exchange seemed improbable. Bulgaria, however, was quite ready for an agreement similar to the 'Anglo-German agreement.