HAGUE AGREEMENT NOT RATIFIED.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14892, 15 October 1918, Page 7

HAGUE AGREEMENT NOT RATIFIED.

ILL-TREATMENT OF BRITISH

PRISONERS

ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY

and N.Z. Cable Associatioß

aud Reuter.-)

London, Oct. 13

The Press Bureau has issued a statement by the Interdepartmental Committee- on War Prisoners, announcing the receipt of. Germany's refusal to ratify the British and German prisoners agreement unless-guarantees are given against the deportation or internment

of Germans in China

Tiie statement proceeds to gay: "The Government are determined to take drastic steps to .end the continued maltreatment of British war prisoners behind the lines, in the salt mines, and elsewhere. They will accordingly demand that Germany, redress these grievances particularly, and, firstly, immediately remove prisoners not less than thirty kilometres behind the firing line; secondly, afford proper humane treatment for prisoners in occupied territories and elsewhere ; thirdly j permit the Netherlands representatives to inspect occupied territory behind the lines with a view to ascertaining if the grievances have been redressed ; fourthly, undertake that no

prisoners will henceforth be employed in salt mines; fifthly, carry out the; articles of the recent Hague agreement [ containing a, humane code of treatment of prisoners." j

Germany has been notified that uu- j less within four weeks these reqiiire- i monts are accepted and Britain is sa- ' tisiied by neutral representatives that | 1 the necessary action has been taken, j. Britain will, in concert with her Allies, take such reprisals as are deemed necessary to compel the Germans to treat prisoners in accordance with international law and the practice ,of civilised ;, nations. In any case..Britain will bald f j Germany responsible1 for unlawful and ,; I inhu.mnn treatment of prisoners, and ».-| will, take all steps in its power to en-» sure that the persons responsible for! the outrages will be punished.' Further i■ — reprisals which may be taken will 1>o! considered in consultation with tha' 1 Allies. . ! I

Steps are also being taken to secure' better treatment of prisoners hi' Turkish i

hands

Instructions have been sent to General Allenby that in the event of an armistice with Turkey immediate unconditional return of prisoners should be required.