PRISONERS OF WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19384, 20 July 1926, Page 14

PRISONERS OF WAR.

TO THOSE WHO DIED. MEMORIAL WINDOW IN ABBEY. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR'S GIFT, [from our own correspondent.] LONDON, June 15, Mr. Gerard, who was American Ambassador in Berlin during the war and had charge of British interests, including the care of British war prisoners, has placed a window in Westminster Abbey in memory of those who died in captivity. He could not attend the dedication in pe> son, but through Mr. Houghton, the Amejican Ambassador in London, he delivered the accompanying message: " This window is dedicated to those of my wards who made a sacrifice as great as did those who fell fighting on the field of battle, and who, in captivity, showed themselves to be Christian gentlemen as well as patriots. We must never forget them or any who died in the Great War, whether on the battlefield or in prison camp. But let us forget the bitterness of those war days and work together, British, German and American, for a saner, better and more kindly world." Mr. Houghton said it was Mr. Gerard's duty to visit and inspect the prison camps where British soldiers were interned. Thus it was that he was brought into personal contact with these men, and came to know them in all their humanity, their courage, thoir patient endurance, their moral cleanliness, their humour, their tenderness, their faith, and, above all, to honour the white and shining spirit of patriotism which animated them and bm-ned like a flame amid conditions and surroundings at best necessarily difficult and hard to bear. "Such a memorial, it seems to me," said Mr. Houghton, " takes its place here by right; and perhaps this window, commemorating in all honour the brave and gallant men to whom it is dedicated, may serve properly also to hold in remembrance the women and children who surrendered them, and who, in the words of Abraham Lincoln 4 laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.' " The dedication ceremony was preceded by a short religious service, at which the Ambassador, members of his staff, the Consul-Genex*al in London, and many other prominent Americans were present. The Dean, on behalf of " this Collegiate Church of St. Peter," accepted the memorial window and promised to keep it in safe custody.