Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-02-16
WAR PRISONERS LOT NOT SUCH A HARD ONE
Rules Governing Treatment of Pris. Oners of War Clear and Provide
 for Humane Treatment.

Washington, Feb. 15.-Great inter- est attaches to the possibility of Americans being held as prisoners or war by Germany or her allies, and already there is much speculation as to the hardships these captives might have to undergo before regaining their liberty. AS a matter of fact, however, the lot of the war prisoner is not necessarily wretched or of un mltigated harshness, for the rules governing the treatment of prisoners of war are clear and explicit, as de- fined in international agreements en- bodied in The Hague convention. the Geneyea convention, and the Declara- of the European war there have been many reports emanating from each side, in which first one party and then the other has heen charged with treating the laws of civilized warfare as merely paHer promises to be disregarded in actual practice. There have been. however, few au- thentic reports of jl-treatment of prisoners of war by any of the armies engaged in the present con-. flict.
 The first rule laid down by The Hague convention was that pris- oners of war should be treated hu. namely. To use violent measures against an enemy who surrenders, and to give no quarters to one who offers to lay down his arms, are for bidden.
 If a captor is unable to guard his prisoners and led them to place of captivity, he must not put them to death, but release them
 All personal belongings of prison CTS remain their property, with the exception Of arms, horses, and mili- tary papers, which are booty, and in practice personal belongings are understood to include military uni forms, clothing, and kit required for personal use, although technically they are government property.
 The object of interment is solely 10 prevent prisoners from further par ticipation in the war, and unneces- sary limitation of liberty, unjusti- liable severity. ill-treatment, and in dignities are forebldde;1. The rooms in which prisoners war are ac- comodated must be IS healthy and clean as possible, and they should not be situated in prisons or convict establishments, Captives must be given the same scale and quality of rations, quarters, and clothing as the troops Of the government which cap- lures them, and prisoners must be paid wages for any work they do. This must have no connection with the operation of war, but work may be done for municipal authorities or for private persons at a reasonable rate Of pay. Iu no way must a pris- oner of war be used for the purpose of aiding military activities of the na- tion which captures him. prisoner is not bound to reply to any questions except those which concern his name betray military secrets. He cannot be punished for giving false informa. tion about his own army.
 All prisoners of war must enjoy every latitude in the exercise of their religion, including attendance at their own church services, provided only they comply with regulations for order issued by the military authori- ties. Facilities must be afforded prisoners of war for making wills, and ill burials due regard must be paid to their grade and rank. Letters from or to prisoners of war are free of postal dues, and gifts to them are received free of customs dues and carriage. They are subject to the laws, regulations and orders in force in the army of the belligerent in whose custody they are. No belliger- ent is obliged to accede to pris- oner's request for release on parole. nor is such a prisoner compelled to accept such a release. A prisoner re- leased on parole and recaptured bear. ing arms against the belligerent who has released him is liable to a death penalty.
 A captured officer must be paid by the enemy government at the rate is- sued for his rank in his own army. Captivity is ended by successful flight, by escaping to neutral terri tory, by liberation at the hands of an invading enemy to whose army the prisoners belong, by reales on pa role, by the exchange of prisoners, which is carried out usually man for man of equal rank, and last by conclusion of peace, when all pris- ~l