EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 113, 17 May 1918, Page 5

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

BRITISH OPPOSITION.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, May 15. Lord Newton, in the House of Lords, explained ttiat though the British authorities are entirely. sympathetic they were opposed to the exchange of ( prisoners because it would prolong the j war. The Government thought that if ' they acquiesced the other Allies would follow suit, thus leading to an enormous exchange. He was surpised to find that France and Germany had agreed on a far-reaching exchange. The Govern- • ment had not yet seen the text, but the \ agreement altered the whole situation.. i Lord Newton said hjs idea was that | the exchange would apply to combatants 1 and civilians alike.; - -

ANGLO-GEEiMN NEGOTIATIONS

CONTROVERSY REGARDING MERCHANT SEAMEN.

(Australian and N.Z. Cabl<» Association.)

{'Rec. May 17, 8.45 a.m.) » LONDON, -May 1-5. In the House of -Lords Lord Newton said he had now seen the text of tne Franco J Germaii agreement The most important clause was that relative to the repatriation of no-coms and men, head for head atid grade for grade, ii they had been i? captivity over 18 months. Officers imprisoned for the same period would be interned in Switzerland head) for head regardless of rank. The 'Germans declined to-regard merchant seamen captured on- armed vessels as civilians. This point .caused acute controversy between England and Germany and until satisfactorily settled the Admiralty would not * allow •German merchant seamen to leave Britain. ' • ■• j France and Germany agreed to > the ' repatriation of civilians regardless of age or - sex. . " ■ - •. Although it was desirable that the < Allies "should! act together it was im- ' possible, said Lord Newton, to secure absolute similarity of action. The number of British civilian prisoners in Gerl many .was 3750, including 2600 seamen, ! against 21,000 in Britain. . i Lord Crewe congratulated France on the excellent agreement and hoped Britain' would secure a similar one.