THE PRISONERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17955, 23 November 1918, Page 6

THE PRISONERS.

SHOCKING TREATMENT.

GERMANY WARNED. LONDON, November 20. ! In the House of Commons Mr Bonait Law stated that Sir Douglas Haig, byf wireless message to German headquarters, said that in formation had reached! the British Government of ihe shockij ing lack of organisation in connection!: with the release of prisoners, who returning on foot, miserably and foodless, and without escorts or>' guides, resulting in lamentable suffer* 1 ' ings and mortality. The said Mr Bonar Law, cannot tolerate * continuance of this cruel treatment* and must insist on adequate arrange? ments by the German authorities wi't-W whom the full responsibility lies, other-/ ■-- wise we willb « compelled to take -fcliiaj

jak) account ip revictualling Germany, the requirements of the population and the Governiit. Sir Douglas Haig was ready to rard food, clothing and transport prisoners' camps, and our Allies being asked to co-operate. STARVATION IN OAMPS. United Service. LONDON, November 20. • The doctors are furious with anger ah describing the horrible marks of German brutalities cm some of the returned war prisoners, but the majority show hardy resistance, and are recuperating rapidly. All agree that only the gilts of food received at the prison cWips from London prevented utter - otarvatiqn. In one camp 350 Russians, receiving no such holp, all died. THE BRUTAL TURK. APPALLING REVELATIONS. z LONDON, November 20. A White Paper has been issued making appalling revelations respecting the treatment of British prisoners in Turkey. Some officers were treated with almost theatrical politeness, but most of tho men wo/c tormented like beasts. The greater part of the sufferings were due, however, to Turkish incompetence. Three hundred Kut prisoners wore dead a week after tho surrender. The Turks had neither the will not the power to save the lives of the Kut prisoners. Out of 19.583 prisoners in Turkey 3290 were already reported dead while 2222 were un- ! traced, and doubtless perished, moat ' being of the Kut force who died during the 500 miles' journey across the Syrian desert. In consequence of an urgent message to the Turkish commander the British medica.l staff was allowed to go to Samara. The medical men pinked up hundreds of Kut prisoners lying on the roadside, sufferinp:. from the 'miseries of dysentery and starvation. Many were beyond help, while others were' dead and lay unburied, stripped stark by Arab villagers. Tho Oast stage of the mnrch over the mountains was the worst of all, yet the survivors were immediately taken to Tarsus Adana to finish the tunnel Wasting operations for the Tarsus- radway. The prisoners were so weakened by privations that even the Turks were unable to make them do useful; work. 'P! I(M -f.fore they were sent to camps in September. 1916, in the interior of Asia Minor. They had tn_maT<m over tho T;mrns M<mrtnvns. driven bv tho gendarmes' rifle butts Many dropped and died. but. the main body were somehow beaten and driven across the mountain range. The survivors were finally taken ii the Arior, internment camp, where nn<rgin,<x was habitual. Turkish naval officers ruled with n cowhide whip, prisoners being lashed on the bare back. RESPONSIBILITY. considering QUESTION. (Received November 23, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, November 21. Lord Curzon, In the House of Lords, replying to a suggestion th«i Germans guilty of crimes against onr prisoners should be made personally responsible, said the Government was giving the matter attention and was consulting with the law officers.