The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
U. S. REPRESENTATIVES TO INSPECT BRITISH
 AND GERMAN CAMPS
6Coatipued from Page one)

the belligerent governments with re- follows:
 Il. The German and Austro- -Hunga- rian governments are prepared to agsee to the reciprocal release of civilians over the age for compulsory military service under their respective laws, which in Germany is 45 years, and in Austria Hungary AZ years of age. The British government has refused as yet to reduce the age below 55 in the case of Germany and 50 in the case of Aus tria Hungary, but this question has been under consideration and may be reconsidered.
 2. Both sides have expressed will lingness to agree to an exchange, mar, for man. of civilians of military age on the lists to be proposed on each side for the approval of the other.
 "3. The British and German govern ments are disposed to observe the pro visions of articles 6 and of the elev- enth Hague convention of 1907, re- garding the crews of enemy merchant ships captured by belligerent but there has been difference between the two governments as to the meaning of these provisions.
 The German government interpret these articles as meaning that the crews of captured ships are not only to be released from imprisonment but per- mitted to return to their own country without hindrance if they so desire un- der parole against employment in any service connected with the operations of the war
 "The British government, on the other hand interpret these provisions as merely requiring the liberation on pa- role in Great Britain of the crews of captured merchant ships, under the re- servation that subsequently they will be treated no more favorably than other Germans residing in Great Britain
 "1t Is understood that the British government is re-examining these pro- visions in the light of the meaning at tributed to them by the German gov ernment.
 Has Not Arisen
 This question has not arisen between Great Britain and Austria Hungary, as these two governments reached an agree ment at the beginning of the war re- leasing each others merchant ships and crews. and very few have since been cap- tured
 'The arrangements made by France and Russia with Germany and Austria-Hun- gary are understood to be similar to those made by Great Britain.
 ''In regard to military prisoners, no ar- arrangements have been made for the ex- change of such prisoners, except that on the suggestion of the United States early in November, both sides have agreed that all wounded prisoners who are perma- nently disabled for military service shall be released on reciprocal basis
 with regard to the treatment of pris- oners 1t appears from MT. Anderson's re- port that each of the bclligerent govern ments has established for itself standards and rules governing It's treatment of mili- tary prisoners of war and civilians in de- tention camps. They have all announced their willingness, on condition of reel procity, to give effect to articles XIV and XVI of the Annex to The Hague conven- tion No. " of 1907, which provide for the establishment of prisoners of war in- quiry office for furnishing information about prisoners in each country, and the delivery of mall, money and parcels to prisoners of war. In many other respects the arrangements adopted are similar on both sides, but as Is inevitable where no common basis of treatment is established, there are also many important differences "Attention is directed by MT. Anderson to the fact that Germany alone claimed several months ago to have upward of 530000 prisoners of war. consisting of about 10000 British, over 300,0O Russians. and over 100000 French and Belgians. There are several thousand German pris-
 oners of war in Great Britain in addition to the 12,000 or more German and Austro- Hungarian civilian prisoners intcrned in concentration camps. Many thousands of German and Austrian soldiers 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 Hun gary runs to very large figures. Desire Satisfaction Tt is unquestionably true that each government desires to deal with this very difficult situation in a manner which will be satisfactory to all concerned insofar as circumstances permit. Nevertheless in view of the known differences, there nat urally have been misunderstanding and miseivings on both sides about the treat ment of their subjects who are held as