New-York tribune., 1915-03-19
U.S.. TO INSPECT ALL
WAR PRISON CAMPS
Will Report on Conditions
and Distribute Supplies
to Interned Men.
NON-COMBATANTS
TO BE RELEASED
Citizens of Military Age Also
Will Be Exchanged or Base
of Reciprocity.

Washington, March 18.-An arrange
ment between Great Britain and Ger
many and Austria by which represent
atives of the United States will inspect
and report upon alien prison camps in
those countries and distribute to prls-
oners supplies from their own govern
ments or other sources was announced
tonight by the State Department. AT
the same time it was stated that
through the good Offices of the Ameri-
can government similar arrangements
were under contemplation between
Russia and France and Germany and
Austria Hungary.
These agreements are based on the
recommendations contained in report
bv Chandler =. Anderson, formerly
counsellor of the State Department,
who conferred with the foreign Offices
of Great Britain, Germany and Aus
tria-Hungary last November, and vls-
tied some of the detention camps in
those countries.
Mr.. Anderson also reported on the
exercise of good Offices of the United
States to bring about better under
standing among the European bel.
ligerents regarding the reparatlon OF
civilian prisoners. In this connection
it is announced that Great Britain and
Germany and Austria-Hungary have
expressed a willingness to exchange
man for man, detained enemy civilians
of military age. while an arrangement
for the release of civilians OF non
military age has been held up so far
by Great Britan's refusal 10 agree 10
the age limits proposed.
The departments statement follows
in part;
eminent of the United States an ar
rangement has been entered into be
tween Great Britain and Germany and
Austria Hungary, and a similar ar
rangement is under contemplation be-
tween Germany and Austria Hungary
and Russia and France, by which the
representatives of the United States in
these countries will be authorized 10
insnect and report upon prisoners
camps and distribute TO the prisoners
the supplies from their own govern
ments and from other sources.
"The basis of this arrangement is
briefly:
81. Each Of the bellgerent govern
information of the others q complete
statement OF it's policy with regard to
the treatment of prisoners, with full
details. showing the supplies furnished
and the conditions of their life during
internment. supplemented by copies OF
orders and instructions issued from
time to time to the commandants OF
the prisoners camps. go,
"2. The belligerent governments VIII
permit the representatives OF the
United States in each country TO nave
access to the prisoners. and Will allow
the prisoners to furnish statements
about their treatment, the conditions
of life and requirements which they
wish TO have communicated 10 thelr
own government.
"Mr. Anderson's report shows that
these governments had then agreed not
TO detain any women or children OF
males under seventeen or over ntty-
five. between Great Britain and Ger
many. or under eighteen or over hi'y
between Great Britain and Austria
Hungary, or physicians or clergymeh, !,
unless some special reason Justine"
detention in individual cases.
"Both sides agreed TO arrange for
tho reciprocal release of all clVlllahs
physically disqualified for military ser
vice.
"In addition TO the arrangements
thus adopted, these governments have
under consideration further arrange.
ments for the exchange and release OF
detained enemy aliens. which arrange.
ments, and the respective positions OF
the belligerent governments with re-
snoct thereto are understood to be as
follows:
al. The German and Austro-Hun-
garian governments are prepared 10
agree to the reciprocal release OF CIVIL
ians over the age for compulsory mill
tary service under their respective
laws, which in Germany is forty-iive
years and in Austria Hungary forty
two wears of age. The British gov
ernment has refused as yet to reduce
the age below fiftyfive in the case OF
Germany and fifty in the case OF Aus
Hungary, but this question has
been under consideration, and may be
~econsidered.
"2. Both sides have expressed a
willingness to agree TO an exchange,
man for man, of civilians of military
age on lists to be proposed on each
side for the approval of the other.
In regard to military prisoners, no
have been made for the
exchange Of such prisoners, except
that. on the suggestion OF the govern
Mont of the United States early in
both sides have agreed that
all wounded prisoners who are per
nerentIv disabled for military service
aball be released on reciprocal bs-