Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-31
RELEASE BRITISH
PRISONERS PART
ARM|ST|CE TERMS

London, Oct 30-That the immed-
late release of all British prisoners
will be insisted upon by the govern
ment as part of the armistice terms
is confidently expected, said Sir
George Cave. The home secretary an
nounced in the House of Commons
yesterday that the same conditions
imposed on Bulgaria in this matter
would be insisted upon in any truce
with Germany or Austria, and Gen.
Allenby had been instructed to follow
the same policy in dealing with the
Turks. There is plenty of evidence
that British prisoners have received
worse treatment throughout the war
than the others, except the Russians.
Such a demand will be a very import
ant factor and it is not likely that
the other allies will show less re-
gard for their nationals who the suf-
fering in German camps. Even the
German peace overtures have not
tended to instill any Cancellation for
forgiveness or leniency toward the
eIlGIIS III btltlSll pLeaSlS. Ile ClIlh-
ing of the Leinster followed close
on the German note. The evacuation
of Belgian and French towns. for
years under German rule. has opened
what has heretofore largely been a
sealed book of rumorS and authentic
stories from truthful people of Ger
man barbarities toward the inhab-
itants, have been flooding out. Final
ly yesterdays discussions in the
House of Commons of the treatment
Of the British prisoners appeared to
have been about the lst straw break
ing the back of British patience.
Patience which the country generally
seems to think has been carried out
much too far. The Germans have on
ly themselves to blame that these
revelations came at time so un-
fortunate for German interests.
Sir George Cave the home secretary.
gave authentic details of wholesale
deaths, of their soldiers kept ragged.
starving and vermine-infest ID anI
compelled to work long hours in
salt mines and under fire at the
front contrary to the rules Of
The Hague convention, and ,or-
tured and shot for petty offenses. The
speaker said that he had reports which
had not been read in the house because
of the character of the atrocities. IN
lone camp since November, 1916, moIe
! than 1000 prisoners of all nations had
! died Sir George said nine men Dur
posely drove picks into their feet in
ar6ar W ;,in
In a salt mine a prisoner was beaten
unconscious and when he remained lis
senses he was beaten unconscious again.
The names of the superintendent who
carried out the outrages against me
prisoners were known Reports Of wha-
had happened in factories, the speaker
continued, could not be read without
something more than anger Regarding
the treatment Of British prisoners be-
hind the firing line. Sir George said it
was bad as an thing that could he
found and alt ough General Ludendo; #
had promised redress his promise hld
not been fulfilled. Men were bel l..
marched up and put to work within
range of the British shell fire. They
mad to carry munitions of war ami do
other work which prisoners should st
be put to. 1t was necessary for he. e
facts to be made known, the speaker de-
clared. Germany had debt to rav
and Germany ought to be made to pay
it, Sir George said that in the lid
treatment of prisoners Turkey had prov
ed herself fit ally to Germany. Bus..-
ria had treated prisoners very badly but
happily the suffering Of the cap.ivcs
there was over and the men were being
brought out of the country.