TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12541, 12 May 1915, Page 5

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.

BRITISH SHOT BY GERMANS. SWORN DECLARATIONS. London, -May 10. (3.50 p.m.) The Secretary of State for .foreign Affairs has i-sued a despatch from the British Minister at The Hague containing the sworn declarations from press, correspondents regarding the shooting of British prisoners of ivar by Germans. Following is the evidence: — I. Johannes Martin, editor of the Rotterdanisch Nieuwsblad, declare that on the, 16th March: a German deserter named Richard Lorenz, of the 208 th Regiment, appeared; at my office. He stated that the Bavarian regiments under Prince Ruprecht had received formal orders to make no British prisoners, and that those soldiers who made them were severely punished. On the 18th March, another German deserter called. H.\s name was Friedrich Ivu'ller. of the 22nd Regiment of the Second' Bavarian Army Corns, stated that the Bavarian regiments received formal orders to kill every British prisoner of war. On the _l9t-li March, another deserter named Kahlniaun, of the 35th Regiment of infantry, stated that British prisoners were brought to quarters with hands bound behind their backs and bandaged eyes. "Without being told they were to be shot, they •were executed under the supervision of the commanding officer'. M. Dittmar, press correspondent of Rotterdam, made a statement on oath that Friecfrich Kuller, of the 22nd Reg.'iment of the Second Bavarian Army Corps (General von Kluek's army), informed him that about Deeemher 28th. 24 British prisoners of war were f.hot by his company. One of the reaso'ns given to him at the time was that the prisoners belonged tr> a regiment that had blown up a bidgs over the Scheldt, near Antwerp, when many German troops were matching over it in pursuit of the then retreating English" army. Amongst the men shot were many officers. All the-e men were placed against a wall one after another, new German soldiers being called tip from the ranks to shoot in turn. This murder took place at Warviek by the •order of Major Hofmann. On. a subsequent occasion one British,, officer and four soldiers who had surrendered were shot in Castle Hollebeke, after a hand-to-hand fight. A White Paper just published contains the repciits of the United States officials who visited the camps of British prisoners interned as civilians in Germany. The reports indicate an improvement in the treatment of prisoners, but there are many complaints of the quality of food, the accommodation, and sanitary arrangements.

Received May 11, at 3.15 p.m. London, May 10

Owing to anti-German riots in Liverpool the publichouses .have, been ordered to- close at six *»verv evening. London, May 11. Th'? Metal Exchange Committee fcas urged Germans to remain away during the year. ",

Capetown, May 11. The, majority of the men at the Brakpan power "station, and many Rand miners have resolved to. strike unless naturalised and unnaturalised Gerrrians are discharged. London, May 11.

Kuller and Kahlmann stated that they did not approve of the order, as they did not hate the British, though they feared them. They deserted because of the officers' rough treatment. They were practically starved in the trenches for days. . '

After interviews with Mr Martin, Kuller, who was. short of money, went to the German Consul, despite a warning as to his danger. Kahlmann accompanied him and waited outside the Consulate for three hours and a-half. Kuller has not been seen since, and has not returned to his lodgings.

(Times-Sydney Sun Special Cables.) London, May 10.

Canadians wounded at Ypres reportthat Germans crucified an officer. They pinned him to the wall with bavonets and bayoneted him in the throat. Finallv liis bodv was riddled with bullets.