Evening journal., 1918-06-26
j. S.-GERMAtY To
GIVE PRISONERS
Prop ses Schedule TO Govern
Removal of Prisoners TO
Switzerland
NO REPLY
AFTER TEN DAYS

WASHINGTON, June 26-Germany has
been asked through Spanish diplomatic
channels TO send representatives to
Berne. Switzerland, TO meet American
representatives there on August 5 to
discuss maintenance, treatment and eX-
change OF prisoners. In response to a
proposal from the State Department the
German Government recently slgnifed
its agreement in princnple to such a
conference.
The State Department has made pub
lie a communication from the Swiss
Government consenting TO receive in
valided Americans and intern them un-
til the end Of the war.
IL was announced that the proposal
TO the German Government was sent
through the Spanish Ambassador at
Berlin on June IS, and that no reply
had been received up TO this time.
The United States also has asked
Germany 10 permit a Swiss commission
10 visit German prison camps 10 de-
termine what American prisoners may
be classed as invalids and released for
interment in Switzerland. Reciprocal
privileges are promised.
A schedule Of what the United States
would regard as disabilities warranting
repatriation Of war prisoners or their
internment in a neutral country has
been forwarded TO Germany and the re-
quest made that immediate interment
in Switzerland be permitted in the cases
OF those Americans who obviously
would come under any schedule agreed
upon.
All Of these questions viii be dis
cussed fully at the proposed confcr-
ence at Berne, II 1t Is arranged.
The Swiss note replying to the orr
ginal American proposal, addressed TO
Minister StOvlll, follows:
at is with particular satisfaction that
we learn by your eXcellenoy's note.
May %, that the government OF the
United States has conceived the idea
OF interning American soldiers In
Switzerland who have been prisoners
Of war in Germany in case such there
are.
1T IS hardly necessary TO assure you.
Mr.. Minister, that you'd cOmpatriots will
find the best welcome I'm Switzerland
for the authorities and all the nopula-
tiOn would congratulate themselves to
be able 10 give under this form a new
proof OF theiS friendly sentiments 10
the great sister republic, America"
"Your excellency, who knows well
present economic difficulties Of our
country will understand on the other
Z h. Of int
10 be received Will depend essentially
on the general situation Of Switzerland
as well as on the number OF interned
from other countries who may be on
our territory at the time when the in
ternment Of Americans should start
but you can be sure that we will do
everything in our power to conform to
your desire in all cases.
I'VE are very touched with the gen
erOus offer TO put at that time at our
disposition provisions from the Amer
lean Prisoners Central Committee
which we would accept certainly with
gratitude. To avoid all misunderstood
ing. however, we believe we must oh
serve even now that this help from
the point Of view Of nourishment can
not be sent directly to interned Amer
leans. The Swiss Federal Government
adopting the principle that the in
termed should be treated as far as con-
Germs their relation in all f0odstuffs OF
exactly the same footing as the Swiss
population.
1--WE add that the competent Swiss
authorities will be happy 10 lend their
help OF the nomination Of the Swiss
doctors in an understanding with the
German authorities for the repatriation
or internment OF American prisoners Of
war"