PRISONERS OF WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 87, 9 October 1943, Page 8

PRISONERS OF WAR

PARCELS TO JAPAN

The International Red Cross Committee, Geneva, has advised the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office that the Japanese authorities have stated they will raise no objection to personal snapshots being included in letters to prisoners of war in Japan or Japan-ese-6ccupied territories, but they reserve the right to confiscate them if they consider it necessary. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office particularly request next-of-kin who have received letters from prisoners of war in Japanese hands to forward copies of them, giving full details of date and location, to the headquarters in Wellington. Copies of any recent letters from Stalag IX A/H are requested.

The possibility of sending parcels to prisoners of war in Japan via Russia has been considered in London. The Soviet Government, while not able to undertake the forwarding of parcels addressed to individuals, has undertaken in principle to transport relief supplies for the Far East provided that prior agreement is reached with the Japanese Government regarding their onward transport. It has not yet been possible to secure from Japan any final indication of their attitude to the practical problems of distribution. The Secretary of State for War points out that no efforts on the part of the British Government could succeed until the Japanese Government recognised their responsibilities for the delivery of such supplies.