Evening star., 1915-03-19

were exercised at the same time to
bring about a better understanding
among the belligerents in regard to
the repatriation of civilian prisoners
detained In these countries.
Mr.. Anderson's report shows that
these governments had then agreed
not to detain any women and children
or males under seventeen or over hfty-
five between Great Britain and Ger
many, or under eighteen or over f1ty
between Great Britain and Austria
Hungary. or physicians or clergymen
unless some special reason justified de-
tention in individual cases.
To Release Cripples.
Both sides agreed to arrange for the
reciprocal release of all civilians phys
ically disqualified for military service.
Further Plans.
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
spect thereto are understood to be as
follows:
Il The German and Austro-1lun-
garian governments are prepared to
agree to the reciprocal release of civil
ians over the age for compulsory mill
tary service under their respective
laws. which in Germany is orty-fse
years and in .Austria-Hungary forty
two years of age. The British govern
ment have refused as yet to reduce the
age below fifty five in the case of Ger
many and fifty in the ease of Austria
Hungary. but this question has been
under consideration and may be recon-
sidered
'2. Both sides have expressed a will
ingness to agree to an exchange. man
for man, of civilians of military age
on the lists to be proposed on each
side for the approval of the other.
-. The British and German govern
ments are disposed to observe the pro
visions of articles . and of the
eleventh Hague convention of 1907. re-
garding the crews of enemy merchant
there has been a difference between
the two governments as to the mean
ing 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
permitted to return to their own
country without hindrance If they SO
desire. under parole against employ
ment 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
parole in Great Britain of the crews
of captured merchant ships under the
reservation that subsequently they will
be treated no more favorably than
other Germans residing IN Grea1
Britain.
1T is understood that the British
government are re-eNamlninE THESE
provisions in the light of the meaning
attributed to them by the German
government.
This question has not arisen be-
tween Great Britain and Austria-Hu
gary, as these two governments reach-
ed an agreement at the beginning OF
the var releasing each others mer-
chant ships and crews, and very 1e"
have since been captured:
.The arrangements made by France
and Russia with Germany and Austria
Hungary are understood TO be similar
to those made by Great Britain.
To Release Wounded.
"rn regard to military prisoners, nc
arrangements have been made for the
exchange of such prisoners, except that
on the suggestion of the government OF
the United States early in November
both sides have agreed that all wound
ed prisoners who are permanently dis
abled for military service shall be re-
| leased on a reciprocal basis.
prisoners, it appears from Mr.. Ander-
sons report that each of the belltger-
ent governments has established fol
itself standards and rules governing its
treatment of military prisoners of wal
and civilians in detention camps. They
| have all announced their Willingness
on condition of reciprocity, to give ef-
feet to articles XIV and XVI of the an.
mex to The Hague convention No "
of 1907, which provide for the estab-
iishment of prisoners of war inquiry
office for furnishing information about
prisoners in each country, and the de.
livery of mail, money and parcels &C
prisoners of war. In many other re-
spects the arrangements adopted are
similar on both sides, but as Is inevi-
table where no common basis of treat
ment is established. there are alsG
many important differences.
Attention is directed by Mr.. Ander-
! son to the fact that Germany alone
/ claimed several months ago to have up.
ward of 100000 prisoners of war, con
/ sisting of about 10000 British, ovel
: 100000 Russians and over 100000
/ French and Belgians. There are sew.
=, eral thousand German prisoners o.
war i'll Great Britain In addition to tn,
1000 or more German and Austro
Hungarian civilian prisoners internet
p, in concentration camDs. Many thou
So nds of German and Austrian soldier:
| are known to be held military prs