LEGACY FROM CAMPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25941, 6 September 1945, Page 5

LEGACY FROM CAMPS

DISEASE AMONG PRISONERS MANY DEATHS AT BANGKOK NEW YORK, Sept. 4. Deaths among the Allied prisoners in the Bangkok camps before the arrival of medical aid averaged 25 a day, says the Associated Press correspondent at Kandy. The majority of prisoners with whom contact has been established or who have been evacuated by South-east Asia Command are suffering from some disease or malnutrition. Reports from Singapore indicate that beriberi, malaria, tuberculosis, and several types of dysentery are prevalent. According to information reaching South-east Asia Command headquarters, the Japanese shortly before the end of the war, when it became obvious that they had lost, began concentrating prisoners of war at main centres, inaugurating a programme of better treatment. South-east Asia Command reports that 330 Indian prisoners of war have so far arrived at Bangkok. Conditions in the camps in Siam are improving, due to the whole-hearted efforts of British medical personnel, some of whom landed by parachute. The All-India radio says the Allies have ordered the Japanese authorities in Java to report the location and size of all hospitals, medical equipment, and stores available. The Hospitals would be used for treating the sick among the released prisoners of war and internees. The Japanese reported that there were at present 6110 Allied prisoners in Java, the majority of whom were at Batavia and Bandoeng. Medical attention was already being given .all sick prisoners.