§ 9. Mr. HARRY LAWSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has made any representation to neutral Governments in regard to the ill-treatment of prisoners of war in camps in Germany, and drawing attention to the provisions of The Hague Convention; if so, what answer he has received; or, if not, whether he intends to make such representation?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Primrose)His Majesty's Government made strong representations to the United States Government regarding the ill-treatment of British prisoners of war in Germany on 26th December last, and drew their atten- 1102 tion to the provisions of The Hague Convention dealing with the treatment of prisoners of war. In a Note dated the 14th ultimo the United States Ambassador stated that his Government had caused these representations to be communicated to the German Government. No answer from the latter has yet been received.
12. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the Report of the trial by German court-martial of a British prisoner of war named John Bramble, and to the evidence given by the German, Sergeant Enskat, to the effect that while guarding the prisoners he was armed with a whip, with which he struck the accused; and whether he has received any report from the American Embassy as to whether it is the practice to set guards armed with whips over prisoners of war?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)I have no knowledge of this case beyond what has been reported in the Press, but I am asking my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make inquiry.
§ 13. Mr. STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British captains, officers, and men of the British steamers "City of Khios" and "Assiout" have now been lodged in a Turkish prison at Gottsia; and whether he will use his influence in order that these interned prisoners shall receive the same considerate treatment as is extended to officers and men of the enemy who are now in confinement in this country?
Mr. PRIMROSEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the matter has been brought to the notice of the United States Government with a request that the United States Ambassador in Constantinople may use his good offices on behalf of these persons.
§ 14. Mr. STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as regards the arrangements he has made in respect to letters and parcels being forwarded to interned British subjects in Germany, he will endeavour to make similar arrangements for the benefit of the captains and officers of British vessels and other British subjects who are now interned in Turkey?
Mr. PRIMROSEThe conditions in Turkey differ from those obtaining in Germany in that, with the exception of the 1103 officers and crews of two merchant vessels interned in the Smyrna district, British subjects have not hitherto been interned in camps of detention. The possibility of making arrangements for the transmission through a neutral country of correspondence for the officers and men of these ships will, however, be considered.
§ 15. Mr. SANDERSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the conditions prevailing in the concentration camp for English civilian prisoners of war at Ruhleben—namely, that in one loft or barrack more than 300 of such prisoners are lodged, so that the beds have to be jammed tightly together for want of space, that no room other than the said loft is provided for living or taking meals, that the light is insufficient, the facilities for washing inadequate, and the food insufficient; and whether he will cause representations to be made through the representative of the United States Government to the German Government with the view of securing some amelioration of these conditions?
Mr. PRIMROSEFrom a number of reports received there is reason to believe that the conditions prevailing at the Ruhleben camp are generally as described by the hon. Member, and the matter has been brought to the notice of the United States Embassy. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the answer returned to the hon. Member for Portsmouth on the 4th instant.