Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-19
UNITED STATES Is
INTERMEDIARY
Uncle Sam Agrees TO Inspect Alien
Prison Camps in Europe and
Supervise Exchanges.
WILL DISTRIBUTE SUPPLIES


WASHINGTON, March 1s.-An
arrangement between Great Britain
and Germany and Austria by which
representatives OF the United States
will inspect and report on allen prison
camps in those countries and dis
tribute to prisoners supplies from
their own government or other
sources, was announced tonight by
the state department. Az the same
time IL was stated that through the
good offices Of the American govern
ment similar arrangements were un-
der contemplation between Russia
and France and Germany and Austria
Hungary
These agreements are based upon rec
concentrations contained in a report by
Chandler p. Anderson. formerly COUNSEL
lor of the state department. who con-
ferred with the foreign offices Of Great
Britain, Germany and Austria-Hungary
last November ana visited some of the
detention camps in those countries.
Mr.. Anderson also reported on the ex-
ereise Of good offices Of the United States
to bring about a better understanding
among the European beliigerents regard
ing the repatriation Of civilian prisoners.
In this connection It IL 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 ar
-,,-.,,,ort for khn xoinaaa of ciyiliana If
nonmilitary age has been held up so far
by Great Britains refusal 10 agree to
the age limits proposed. 4
The departments statement follows;
Exchange Permanently Disabled.
In regard TO military prisoners no ar
rangemAnts have been made for the ex-
change OF such prisoners. except that on
the suggestion OF the government OF the
United States, early in November. both
sides have agreed that all wounded prls-
oners who are permanently disabled for
military service shall be released on q
reciprocal basis.
with regard to the treatment of pris-
oners II appears from Mr. Anderson's
report that each OF the belligerent gov4
ernments has established for itself stand
ards and rules governing its treatment
Of military prisoners OF war and civil
ians IN detention camps. They have all
announced their willingness, on condition
of reciprocity to give effect TO articles
xiv and xvi Of the annex to The Hague
convention No. Of 1907, which provide
for the establishment of a prisoner Of
war inquiry office for furnishing infor-
nation about prisoners in each country
and the delivery OF mail. money and par
cells TO prisoners Of war. In many other
respects the arrangements adopted are
similar on both sides, but as ia Inevitable
no common basis of treatment Is
established between Germany and Aus
tria- Hungary, and Russia and France by
which the representatives Of the United
states In these countries will be author
lied 10 inspect and report on prisoners
camps and distribute to the prisoners the
supplies from their own governments and
from other sources. Il
Assumes No Responsibility.
"It Is understood that the government
OF the United States in undertaking this
work assumes no responsibility of any
kidd beyond the mere Transmission of
the statements and the distribution of
supplies furnished as,above indicated, in
accordance with such restrictions and
regulations as are imposed by the gov
ernments conceTped.
Attention Is directed by Mr.. Anderson
to the fast that Germany alone claimed,
several months ago, to have upward OF
$4,000 prisoners OF war, consisting OF
about 10000 British, over $4,000 Russians
and 5000 French and BeIgians. There
are several thousand German prisoners
Of war in Great Britain in addition to
the 1900 or more German and Austrian
civilians in concentration camps. Many
thousands Of German and Austrian sol
diers are known to be held as military
prisoners in France. and the number of
prisoners OF war who have been taken on
both sides between Russia and Germany
and Austria-Hungary runs to very large
figures.
I'm this difficult and dangerous situa-
ton the governments OF Great Britain.
France. Germany and Austria-Hungary
have called upon the government OF the