Evening star., 1939-12-04
U.S.. Diplomats Watch
Nazi Prison Camps
For Allies
No Major Complaints
Of Mistreutment
Yet Reported

American diplomatic representa-
tives in Germany are regularly in
specting Nazi camps for British and
French prisoners of war and so far
have forwarded no major COM
plants of mistreatment, 1t was
learned today.
Inspection of the German prison
camps is one Of the principal duties
that have fallen to the American
embassy and consular staffs in
Germany since they took over
representation of British and French
interests there at the outbreak OF
war, according to State Department
officials.
Strict regulations for humane
treatment of prisoners of war Is
provided in a treaty which all the
belligerents in the European Tight
ing except Russia have signed. The
treaty, drawn up at Geneva in
1929, provides for inspections by
representatives of the neutral nation
protecting the interests of the
enemy IN wartime.
So far as officials here have been
Informed, all the belligerents are
living up to the treaty requirements
for sanitation, health, exercise and
communication facilities and food
and lodging for prisoners on a par
generally with that enjoyed by the
imprisoning nations own soldiers.
Protection Against Violence.
The treaty specifies that prisoners
of war must be protected against
violence and public curiosity" and
must not be coerced in efforts to
obtain information about their army
or country. Captured officers are
entitled to receive their regular pay
from the OBTAINING nation, which
would be repaid after the war by the
prisoners own government.
If prisoners do any work other
than that necessary for mainten-
ance of their camp they are entitled
to wages, and the treaty provide for
establishment of canteens where
they can purchase cigarettes and
other articles.
Seriously i'll or injured prisoners
must be cared for adequately and
sent back to their own country as
soon as possible, under the treaty.
It also provides for information
bureaus to inform relatives back
home about the status of prisoners.
and for prompt transmission OF
letters and packages.
Inspection of the Nazi prison
camps and other added duties in
connection with looking out for
British and French interests in Ger
many have not yet necessitated an
increase in our Embassy and con-
sular stats there, officials said.
Many employees have been shifted
from other routine work that fell
OF after the outbreak of war.
Responsible for Property.
The United States representatives
are responsible for the British and
French embassy and consulate
property throughout Germany. They
also give what aid they can, without
compromising our neutrality, to
British and French citizens resident
in Germany. Of1icials pointed out
that there has been no general
internment of citizens of enemy ma
tions in any of the belligerent coun-
tries. Certain police restrictions on
the activities and travel of those
at large are enforced, however.
Supervision of the extra diplo-
matte representation is one of the
chief functions of the State Depart
ment's Special Division, created to
handle special problems arising
from the European war, since re-
patriation Of the thousands of
Americans who were clamoring for
transportation home a few weeks
ago.
Officials said at least 10000 Ameri-
can citizens have returned from
Europe to Atlantic ports since the
war began, and that every American
who wanted to get out Of Europe
had an opportunity to do so before
November l.