PRISONERS OF WAR.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16221, 25 May 1918, Page 9

PRISONERS OF WAR.

BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE TO EXCHANGE. (By Cable.—Pr«« Association.- -opyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 23. It is rumoured that negotiations will shortly be opened at The Hague between the Germans and British regarding the exchange of prisoners.

The "Daily Express" states that despite the Franco-German agreement for the exchange of 350,000 prisoners, the British authorities doubt the advisability of exchanging men capable of further 'military service, as this would tend to prolong the war. It is definitely known that the German reserves arc becoming exhausted. Tho 1920 class of recruits are in the field, whereas the Allies can rely on American resources. Though the release of British prisoners is desirable. on humanitarian grounds, other considerations outweigh these. Retaliatory measures against German officer prisoners will continue until the authorities are satisfied that British soldiers are properly treated. Within a few days a detailed report will be issued of "the unspeakable cruelty that British prisoners are subjected to, particularly in the Tenth German Army District, by General von Hanisch and his subordinates, the brothers Niemeyer. General von Hanisch's inhumanity includes forced labour in coal and salt mines. Men rarely see daylieht, are starved, and constantlv assaulted. AMSTERDAM. May 23.

Owing to the fine weather numerous escapes of prisoners have recently taken place. The escapees mostly are French, and occasionally an Australian, as the British camp is farther from tie frontier. Most of the escapees have been working oft farms, and thev disappear into the_ forests. The chief difficulty is crossing the rivers, which are swift and cold, and must be swum, as the bridgeß are car»»fully guarded. Escapees narrate that the German country folk no longer exercise vigilance over escaping prisoners, though earlier in the war they would have attempted to lynch them. There is no longer haired against prisoners. NEW YORK. May 23.

Lady Muriel Paget, addressing __ the Red Cross organisation at New York, asserted that 60,000 Russian prisoners were starved to death in Germany. Jf the Allies had instituted propaganda in Russia to counteract the German propaganda. Russia would still be in the fighting line.

ITALIAN THEATRE. j

(By Cable—rress Association.—Copyright.) (.Australian and X.Z. Cablo Association.) ;Re iter's Telegrams.) LONDON. May 'J3. An Italian official message reports:— ••\Ye captured an outpost nortlwast of Monte Di Val Bella, and advanced into the village, inflicting losses on the garrison. '•There is considerable aerial aetivity." (Received Mr.v 21th. S.lO p.m.) ATfIENS, May '23. French and Italian troops, in alliance. advanced to a maximum depth of 11 miles during the past three days. Tlioy took a number of prisoners, and completely opened the Santi Quaranii road between Ebeka and Korytza. 1 110 Allied casualties were very light.

(Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.*

(Received Mav 2-lth. p.m.l

OTTAWA. May -J3

President Wilson sent the following message* to Italy : "This great war represents a conflict between sell-govern-ment and dictation by force. The objects of the war are t'.io liberation and freedom of peoples and the right of men and nations to determine their own lives and fortunes. e light for the maintenance of justice. By an irresistible forco the free nations are linked to defend mankind."'