The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-06-01
No Sabotage By
War Prisoners
Continued from Page -

panies upon arrival at the prisoner
OF war camps. Usually, he SAID,
several companies are assigned to
each compound. Prisoners, thereaf-
ter, select from their number
spokesman under the provision Of
Artaicle 43 of the Convention which
states, In every place where there
are prisoners OF war, they shall be
allowed to appoint agents entrusted
with representing them directly
with military authorities and pro-
tecting powers This appointment
shall be subject to the approval OF
the military authorities"
Spokesman are not allowed any
command or disciplinary functions,
the General said. Their sole duties
are the submission of complaints on
behalf of the prisoners and the
transmission of orders and instruc-
tons from the camp commander 20
the prisoners. These Spokesman,
the General explained, are us
ually older soldiers as distinguished
from the prisoners average Of 20
to % years of age.
The food ration of prisoners of
warts equal in quality and quantity
to that Of troops of base camps in
accordance with Article II of the
Convention. Prisoners are furnished
a minimum of clothing and equip
ment. Unless necessitated by eli
mate, no uniform or suit is issued
as a replacement to prisoner until
the one in which he was captured
has become unfit for use. The uni
forms of prisoners are renovated
whenever practicable.
Likewise, the General said, prss-
oners are provided with medical,
surgical and dental treatment iden-
teal with that furnished United
States troops. Hospital facilities are
available at each prisoner of war
camp. If prolonged disqualification is
indicated the prisoner is transferred
to a general hospital Special pro-
visions are made to care for cases
of tuberculosis, insanity, blindness
and loss of hearing Sick and
wounded prisoners of war, certified
by the Mixed Medical Commission
as eligible for repatriation are ex-
changed for similar Americans cap
tured by the enemy.
Canteens are established in each
prisoner of war camp in order that
prisoners may purchase, with cou-
pons, toilet articles, tobacco and 9TH
er small luxury items. These cam
teens are similar to Army Post Elk
changes. However, items which at
present are available in limited
quantities only are not sold in the
canteens.
Pursuant to the Geneva Conven-
ton and collateral agreements nade
with the enemy, officer prisoners,
except Japanese, are paid as ;ol-
lows. Lieutenants, $40; captains, $50,
majors and above, $40 a month. Jap
anese officers are paid S. less in
each grade. Enlisted men prisoners
receive an allowance Of 10 cents
per day for toilet articles and a
work allowance of 80 cents day in
addition when performing labor. A
prisoner is paid less than 80 cents
a day when he produces less than
he should have produced during his
working time or when he works less
than full day, the General said.
Prisoners are never permitted to
have money in their possession, ne
added. They receive their allowance
and pay in coupons redeemable tor
merchandise at the canteen. At the
discretion of the prisoner, his al
loWance may be placed to his credit
in trust fund maintained for him
In regard to discipline, the Gen
eral reported that prisoners Of war
are subject, in line with the Geneva
Convention regulations, to the laws
regulations and orders in force III
the armies Of the OBTAINING poWer
They are subject to the Articles OF
War, and also to the civil laws ci
the United States and of the state
and municipality where interned
All prisoners, he said, are within
the jurisdiction of courts-martial
and except for officer prisoners arc
liable to summary punishment by
officers Of the United States.
Strict military discipline is main
tanned and prisoners are required
to obey orders in the same manner
as troops in the U. S. Army. They
are not exposed to cruel or inhu-
man treatment or are they made tc
suffer any punishment prohibited
by the Geneva Convention. The
punishment imposed is that whicn
is allowed for personnel Of the u
S. Army. Fraternization of any kind
is not tolerated
To maintain security, adequate
barbed-Wire fences and guard ia
cilities are provided. Prisoners en-
ployed on work projects, as well as
those within the camp, are unoel
guard at all times.
These guard duties, the Genera,
said, are performed by Military Po-
lice Escort Guard companies Whicl7
have been given II weeks Of spc-
cial training in the various duties
relative to guarding and handling
prisoners of war. Men in these