The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-19
BETTER UNDERSTANDING
AS TO WAR PRISONERS
United States Secures Agreement ns
to Exchange and for Release
Of Civilians.
WILL SUPERVISE PRISONERS
American Representative VIII BE Per-
mittcd TO Have Access TO Camps
ana Interviews Men A TO Their
Tt eatmcnt.

Washington. March iS.-Throu2h
the good offices OF the United States
an arrangement Is about to be put
into eject for the relief of prisoners
of war he'd by Great Britain, Ger
many and Austria Hungary.
This IL the outcome of negotiations
initiated by the United States.
As result of the arrangement
American representatives in these
three countries will inspect and re-
port upon prison camps and distrib-
ute to the prisoners supplies for
warded TO them by their govt rnments
and others interested. A like ar
ranecment IL in contemplation be-
tween the Tsutonic allies and France
and Russia.
If impending negotiations are sue
cessfuL q supplemental agreement
will be reached whereby the United
States will supervise the exchange OF
prise ners detained in various camps
in Europe.
In undertaking this humanitarian
work the United States assumes no
responsibility beyond that involved in
the distribution Of supplies and in
transmitting intelligence to the bel
ligerents relative to conditions in the
various camps.
Passed on Andcrsons Report.
The arrangements perfected Tor the
relief OF European prisoners Of war
are based on recommendations made
in report 10 the State Department
by chandler +. Anderson, former
counsellor for the department. who
took up the question with the foreign
offices in London. Berlin and Vienna,
and afterwal DIS visited and inspected
the detention camps in these three
countries. MIR. Anderson SAYS in his
report that accounts OF the maltreat-
ment of prisoners are grossly exag-
serated
The. basis of the relief plan that is
about 10 become operative In Great
Britain, Germany and Austria Hun
gary may be briefly summarized as
follows:
]. Each of the helligerents under
takes 10 furnish for the Information
of the other belligerents u fun state
ment of its policy with regard To the
treatment Of prisoners. with details
showing the supplies furnished and
the condition Of life during intern
ment
The bellieerent governments
viii permit the represe natives of the
/ United states in each country 10 have
access to- the prisoners, and viii allow
the prisoners to furnish statements a-
to their treatment which they wish
to have communicate to their re-
Spective governments.
Brings About Better understanding.
! Immediately following the agree
ment relative to the treatment OF
prisoners. Mr.. Anderson exercised the
good offices Of the United states with
view to efecung a better under
standing among the bellgereuts in re-
gard to the repatriation of civilian
prisoners detained in Germany Great
Britain and Austria Hungary.
4 MIR Anderson's report shows that
these governments had already agreed
not to detain any women or children,
or males under II or over 65. be
tween Great Britain and Germany.
or under s or over 50 hattv"en Great
Britain and Austria Hungary. Ply
scians and ciergymen also were in
Guided among the classes that would
not be detained unless some special
reason justified detention in individual
cases
Both sides also had agreed to ar
range for tho reciprocal release of
/ all civilians physically disqualified for
military service.
Reciprocal Release of Civilians.
In the tentative plan leading to ex-
change of prisoners of war, as devel,
oped under the good Offices of the
f., United States government. the Ger
man and Austro- hungarian govern
ments are prepared to agree 10 the
reciprocal release OF civilians over
the military age, which in Germany
is fifty five years, which IN Germany
! Hungary nifty years. The Brit
ish government thus far has refused
to reduce tn" age below nifty five in
the case of Germany and Austria
Hungary, Roth sides have expressed
a willingness to agree 20 an exchange
n ~ + la ~