TREATMENT OF SUBMARINE PRISONERS IN BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15885, 5 April 1915, Page 5

TREATMENT OF SUBMARINE PRISONERS IN BRITAIN.

BRITISH REPLY TO GERMAN REMONSTRANCE.

" CANNOT BE REGARDED AS HONOURABLE OPPONENTS." London, April 2. The official Press Bureau states that Germany, through Washingtun, has inquired as to the reported differential treatment of submarine crews who are prisoners m Britain, and has emphasised til© fact that the crews have only executed orders given them, and that they therefore solely fulfilled military duties. The communication proceeds: "If they are treated worse than others, then for each member of a submarine crew taken prisoner a British army officer who is a prisoner in Germany will receive correspondingly harsher treatment.'' Sir Edward Grey replied that- the officers and men of U8 and I' 12 have been segregated from other prisoners of war, but are treated, however, with humanity, provided with German books, and opportunities for exercise. They are not subjected or forced to labour, and (hey are better fed and clothed than British prisoners of equal rank in Germany. As, however, these men have been engaged in the sinking of innocent British and neutral merchantmen and wantonly killing noncombatants, they cannot be regarded as honourable opponents, but as committing, under orders of their Government, offences against the laws of nations and contrary to common humanity. Sir Edward emphasises the fact that during the war upwards of 1000 officers and men of the German Navy have been rescued at sea. sometimes despite danger to the rescuers and sometimes to the prejudice of British naval operations. There is no instance known of Germans rescuing officers or men of the British Royal Navy.