PRISONERS OF WAR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7, 15 February 1900, Page 6

PRISONERS OF WAR.

In view of the fact that large numbers of men have been taken prisoners by both Hides, the question has been asked — How are prisoners treated by their captors 1 International law recognises the right of the belligerent so to deal with its prisoners a" to prevent their escape, but no greater severity is to be exercised towards them than w necessary to effect this object • — ' Imprisonment in the full sense of the word (says one writer) is only permissible nn ler exceptional circumstances, as after an attempt, to escape, or if there is reason that an attempt to escape will be male. If prisnner endeavours to escape, he maybe killed during hn flight, but it re-oaptured he cannot be punished except by confiueuunt suliieii-iuly severe to prevent the chance of escape, because the t.ict ot surrender as prisoner of war is not understood to imply any promise to re-irun in captivity.' Prisoners of war are maintained at the expense of the Government in whose power they are, and sometimes a money allowance is made to them, although it is hardly hkely that on the present occasion the Boers will carry generosity to this extent. Prisoners may be put to work suitable to their condition, b'lt not to Buch as has direct relation to the war.