GERMAN P.O.W.’S IN BRITAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 268, 24 August 1946, Page 5

GERMAN P.O.W.’S IN BRITAIN

DATE OF REPATRIATION EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT CALLED FOR - A (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 23. Headed by the signatures of the Archbishop of Canterbury, York and Wales and ■ including those of ISS members of the House of Commons, 55 Bishops, 76 Fellows of the Royal Society and 76 leading personalities of UniversU ties, together with 125 persons eminent in arts, a memorial calling for the release of German prisoners in Britain has been sent to Mi- Attlee.

The memorial states that some Germans have been prisoners for many years l , but they are still told nothing about the date when they may expect to be repatriated. i “There comes a point,” it adds, “at which a man cannot live without hope.” The memorial asks the Government to draw up a definite scheme for release, and to announce it with a minimum of delay. The “Daily Herald” in a leading article wholeheartedly endorses theappeal. It adds that there is nothing illegal in: the present situation, as under the international convention Britain is entitled to keep prisoners until the peace treaty with Germany is signed. But, asks the “Herald,” are we jusitfied in imprisoning hundreds of thousands of Germans indefinitely? We are not—and if we continue to do so we shall be imitating on a small scale the sins of Hitler himself. Referring to Mr Noel-Balcer’s statement that there are still important decisions to he taken on releasing Germans, the “Herald” adds: “We hope to hear soon that the Government has been able to take those decisions.” The parliamentary correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” says nobody in authority can give the faintest indication when the Government .may he expected to say what it intends to do. There is reason to doubt that the matter came before Cabinet reHe remarks that in view of the public concern, the Government cannot, afford to ivait. serenely until Parliament meets and then produce at leisure a reparation plan to be conveniently disclosed over the table in answer to a private notice of question. Feeling will not tolerate it.