El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-03-20
PRISONERS USED
BETTER IN CAMP
United States Arranges For
War Prisoners Relief and
Exchange of Some.


Washington, D. c, March 20.-An ar
! rangement between Great Britain and
Germany and Austria by which repre-
sentatives OF the United States viii in
spect and report on alien prison camps
in those countries and distribute TO
prisoners supplies from their own gov
eminent or other sources. IS announced
BY the state department. At the same
/ time it was stated that through the
good offices Of the American govern
ment similar arrangements were under
contemplation between Russia and
France and Germany and Austrfa-H Hun
gary.
These agreements are based upon
recommendations contained in a report
by Chandler P. Anderson. formerly
counsellor Of the state department, who
conferred with the foreign offices Of
Great Britain, Germany and Austria
Hungary last November and visited
some Of the detention camps in those
countries.
Repatriation Of Civilians.
Mr.. Anderson also reported on the
exercise OF good offices OF the United
States to bring about better under
standing among the European belliger-
ents regarding the repatriation OF
civilian prisoners. In this connection
il is announced that Great Britain and
Germany and Austria Hungary have
expressed a willingness to exchange
man for man Of the detained enemy
civilians of military age, while an ar
rangement for the release Of civilians
Of non-military age has been held up
so far by Great Britaiu's refusal TO
agree to the age limit proposed
Each of the belligereut governments
undertakes to furnish for the informa-
ton OF the other a complete statement
Of its policy with regard to the treat
ment OF prisoners. with full details
showing the supplies furnished and the
condition of their life during intern
ment. supplemented by copies Of or
ders and Instructions issued from time
to time TO the commandants Of the pris-
Oners camps
Access to Prison Camps.
The belligerent governments will per-
nit the representatives Of the United
States in each country to have ac-
cess to the prisoners and will allow the
prisoners to furnish statements about
their treatment. the conditions Of life
and the requirements which they wish
to have communicated to their own
government
Both sides have agreed to arrange for
the reciprocal release Of all civilians
physically disqualified for military
Release Of Civilians.
The German and Austro- Hungarian
governments are prepared to agree 10
the reciprocal release Of civilians over
the age for compulsory military SER
vice under their respective laws, which
in Germany is As years and in Austria
Hungary, AZ years OF age. The British
government has refused as vet 70 re-
duce the age below % in the case OF
Germany, and 50 in the case Of Aus
tria-Hungarys but this question may be
reconsidered.
The British and German governments
are disposed to observe the provisions
of articles and :, Of the Hague con-
vention Of 1907, regarding the crews
Of enemy merchant ships captured by
belligerent, but there has been a differ
ence between the two governments as
TO the meaning Of these provisions
Difference in Viewpoint.
The German government interprets
these articles as meaning that the
be released from imprisonment but
permitted to return TO their own coun-
try without hindrance II they so desire.
under parole against employment in !
any service connected with the opera l
tons OF the war
The British government on the other /
hand. interprets these provisions s /
merely requiring the liberation on I
parole IN Great Britain OF crews Of .
captured merchant ships, under the {
reservation that subsequently they I
VIII be treated no more favorably than !
other Germans residing in Great Brit /
ain.
Great Britain and Austria Hungary I
reached an agreement at the begin !
ming Of the war releasing each others |
merchant ship crews, and very few I
have since been captured.
The arrangements made by France I
and Russia with Germany and Austria I
Hungary are understood to be similar /
to those made by Great Britain.
Military Prisoners
In regard to military prisoners, no {
have been made for the I
exchange Of such prisoners, except that I
on the suggestion Of the government /
of the United States early in Novem- {
wounded prisoners who are permanent J
" disabled for military service shall /
be released on q reciprocal basis.
Attention is directed by Mr.. Ander-
son to the fact that Germany alone /
claimed. several months ago. 10 have |
of $500 prisoners OF war.
consisting OF about 10000 British. over |
800, 900 Russians and 200,0 900 French and /
Belgians- There are several thousand (
German prisoners Of war in Great !
Britain in addition to the 1900 or /
more German and Austrian civilians in 1
camps. Many thousands 4
OF German and Austrian soldiers are I
known to be held as military prisoners
in France. and the number Of prisoners /
of war who have been taken on both i
sides between Russia and Germany and 4
Austria-Hungary runs to very large /
figures.
Aggravated Situation.
The situation hgs been aggravated By /
sensational stOries Of abuse and mall /
treatment of prisoners on both sides, 4
which have been given wide circula- i
ton in the newspapers Of many cOun- /
tries, and, although for the most part !
without foundation Of fact have heen
popularity accepted as true" says a