WAR PRISONERS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16214, 17 May 1918, Page 7

WAR PRISONERS

FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT,

(By Cable.—Frees Association.- -opyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.)

LOiVDON, May 15. Lord Newton announced, in the House of Lords that France and Germany had agreed to an equal exchange of military and civilian prisoners, including able-bodied persons who had been :n captivity for eighteen months. The arrangement affects about 330,000 French and Germans. Britain was now prepared to reconsider the matter, and Lord Newton suggested three years' .captivity as a possible qualification for exchongo. The number was not great, but as the procedure would be slow it would bo impossible for the enemy to gainVany military advantage. Lord Burnham pressed for a speedy dec : ?ion, and appealed on behalf of the dying, tortured remnants of the old Army.

EXCHANGE OPPOSED IN BRITAIN.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 16th, 7.80 p.m.) LONDON, May 15. Lord Newton explains that though the British authorities were entirely sympathetic, they were opposed to che exchange of prisoners, because it would prolong the war. The Government thought that if it acquiesced the other Allies would follow Buit, thus loading to an enormous exchange. He was surprised to find that France and Germany had agreed to a far-reaching exchange. The Government had not yet seen the text, but the agreement altered the whole situation. His idea was that the exchange would apply to combatants and civilians alike. j