GERMAN PRISONERS

Taihape Daily Times, 25 April 1919, Page 5

GERMAN PRISONERS

410 SAILING BY WILLOCHRA.

After lour years and ahalf spent in internment, the German prisoners of war held in New ZealaTTd are now. about to be repatriated. On the 29th instant 410 will sail by the Willochra, via Australia, for repatriation to Germany. The contingent includes all those prisoners held in New Zealanci who desire to be repatriated to the Fatherland. These comprise the whole Cf. those in internment at Narrow Neck Camp, Auckland, and 170 of those in Featherston Camp, leaving a balance of 200 odd at Featherston who do not wish to go back to Germany. Those sailing by the Willochra on the 29th include the following German officials from Samoa: Dr. Schultz (exGovernor). Herr A. Mars, anfl *W, Meyer, (Dr. Scbultz's secretaries), Dr. G. Sessons (Agricultural Adviser), Herr Max Hirsch (wireless expert), Dr. G. Schubert, Herr' Otto Sperling (Customs officer), and Herr von Luckner and Lieutenant Kircheis, of the German raider Sea Adler, are also included in the draft.

The contingent will sail under an armed guard. Their repatriation,; ig being carried out under the direction of the British Government. The Willochra on arrival in Australia will be filled up with other German prisoners of whom, it is understood. Australia has no les.« than 6000 to repatriate To Germany.

The fate of the German prisoners of war left over in New Zealand has yet to be determined. Some of them have requested to be repatriated to Samoa. «