Fall Plans Made For Relief Of Prisoners

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1945, Page 8

Fall Plans Made For Relief Of Prisoners

RUGBY, Aug. 23.' An official of the Prisoners of War Directorate at the War Office has given the following information about United Kingdom prisoners in Japanese hands: United Kingdom civilians total about 22.0C0 persons. Information about United Kingdom prisoners of war is much less definite. One oi the reasons ioi this is that the authorities in Japan have no complete information on the location ot prisoner-of-v/ar camps in outlying areas or the numbers in them. Considerable numbers of prisoners have died and only a small proportion of those who have died have been reported by the Japanese. The best estimate it has been possible to make is that there are more than 10.000 United Kingdom prisoners in areas horth of the Philippines, and fewer than 30,000 south of the Philippines. At the most 10,000 to the north are in Japan. There are some, but not a large number, in Hongkong. Others are in that part of Borneo and Sarawak which have nor been recaptured, in Java, Malaya and Indc-Chma. Then 1 are almost certainly a large number in Siam. .... , Thus, the people whom the Allied authorities are trying to reach are scattered over a vast area in which, vastly differeing conditions prevail. In all. it is hoped to release up to 60,000 United Kingdom prisoners and civilians out ot a fetal number which may reach 250,000, including those from the Dominions and India and United Stales and Dutch nationals. . _ , Full Arrangements Made Arrangements for bringing them home have been made by four commanders on the spot—Lord Mountbatten, General MncArthur and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and in the northern area by the supreme commander of the Soviet forces. All commanders who know of camps in their area have been asked to get in touch with camps at the earliest possible moment to provide all necessary protection, food, clothing, medical care and accommodation, and use every available means to send prisoners of war and civilians on their way to their home countries as quickly as possible. Though it is hoped many will be removed by air from camps to ports, it has been decided in the interests of their own health, to bring them home by sea. The voyage will be an ideal opportunity for recuperation. They will be cared fer on the voyage with food and medical attention and will also be mentally prepared for coming home bv being enabled to learn of the changes in Britain since they were last there. Prisoners will be at the top cf the priority list of those returning home.