PRISONERS OF WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 309, 9 October 1943, Page 4

PRISONERS OF WAR

LETTERS TO THOSE IN JAPAN. PERSONAL SNAPSHOTS ALLOWED. QUESTION OF SENDING PARCELS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office has been advised from Geneva that the Japanese authorities have stated that they will raise no objection to personal snapshots being included in letters to prisoners of Avar in Japan or Japanese territory, but they reserve the right to confiscate them if they consider it necessary. * The possibility of sending parcels to Japan through Russian territory has been considered in London and the Soviet Government, Avliile not able to undertake the forwarding of such has undertaken in principle to transport relief supplies for the Far East, provided prior agreement is reached Avith the Japanese Government regarding onward transport. It has not yet been possible to obtain from Japan any firm indication of its attitude to the practical problems of distribution. The Secretary of State for War has pointed out that no efforts on the part of the British. Government could succeed until Japan rescognised its responsibility lor the delivery of such supplies. Further lists and information concerning persons in Japanese territory have been circulated to the St. John and Red Cross Centres in the Dominion.

The Office desires copies of letters, with full details as to date and location, from prisoners in Japanese hands, also copies of letters from Stalag IX.A.H.