I PRISONERS OF WAR TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR File No. 811.712/69 The Postmaster General (Burleson) to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, May 15, 1917. [Received May 16.] SIR: Referring to this Department's letter of the 9th ultimo,' transmitting a copy of the Daily Bulletin of this Department containing the Postmaster General's Order No. 211 of the 7th ultimo, suspending mail service for and via Germany, I have the honor to transmit herewith for the information of your Department a copy of the Daily Bulletin of the Department containing the Postmaster General's Order No. 331 of today's date, giving notice that the provisions of Order No. 211 are not to be understood as applying to mail for or from prisoners of war. By direction of the Postmaster General: Very respectfully, A. A. FISHER Acting Second Assistant Postmaster General cile No. 763.72114/2712b The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, May 29, 1917, 7 p. m. 616. Please report exactly what is being done from Berne in relief of American prisoners in Germany. It would appear from a telegram from Stockholm from Harte of the Y.M.C.A. that he is forwarding parcels fortnightly to prisoners. This perhaps is desirable until a complete relief organization is established by you, when the entire question of relieving the needs of American prisoners should be directed by you under advice from the Department and with the 'Not printed. Post, p. 412. 59665-33-1 1 American Red Cross and Berne Aid Society cooperating. Does this meet with your views? Red Cross here could forward parcels from the United States to Berne Aid Society if food is difficult to obtain in Switzerland, and, since there is no parcel-post service between the United States and Switzerland, Red Cross propose temporarily at least to send parcels to American clearing house at Paris. for reforwarding. Please formulate and forward as soon as possible to Department general plan, having in mind that number of pris oners may be greatly increased when United States forces are sent to the French front. LANSING File No. 763.72114/2715 The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BERNE, June 2, 1917, 5 p. m. 991. Your 616, May 29. Have despatched through Comité Bernois, a Swiss organization assisting prisoners of different nationalities, a package to each man containing shirt, underclothing, socks, various food supplies including meat, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, sardines, and tobacco. Have also arranged fortnightly supply of bread through Comité Franco-Belge but temporary lack of flour has so far prevented shipment. Expect this will shortly be remedied but suggest that despatch of food in bulk at earliest moment possible from America important. Supplies should include especially flour, then lard, sugar, rice, and soap, all of which impossible to procure and ship from here. Other articles such as condensed milk, bacon, coffee, jam, small cheeses, American tobacco, boots would be useful. Shipments by Harte desirable at present and think that for a time existing agencies can be used but ultimately unnecessary and centralization here advisable account of greater facilities, propinquity to France, and official connections. Have communicated with Geneva Society, lately formed. Believe that this can advantageously aid but that all control and initiative should remain in Berne. Organization will shortly be completed with Mrs. Stovall president, Dresel vice president and general director, small executive committee of four or five, and advisory council of about ten from different parts of Switzerland. Shall endeavor to keep scheme elastic and informal for the present with view to future development. Shall arrange temporary quarters at old Legation and engage one paid clerk for the present requirements. STOVALL File No. 763.72114/2738 The Secretary of War (Baker) to the Secretary of State 2620316 WASHINGTON, June 16, 1917. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Referring to your letter of the 11th instant,' in which it is reported that the State Department has been advised (a) That the National Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor has been recognized by the War Department as a relief society and given facilities by that Department for visiting and inspecting the camps where are confined German prisoners of war; (b) That delegates of that committee have already inspected the camps at Forts Oglethorpe and McPherson. The letter further states: Since the Swiss Minister is in charge of German interests it would appear proper that any activities in behalf of German subjects, such as receiving the complaints of prisoners of war, making representations at their request, or relieving their necessities should be undertaken by him or his agents, and not by a private American organization. This society is simply a relief society as understood in the sense of article 15 of the Hague convention. It has no function of inspection and is in no sense a medium of communication of complaints as between war prisoners and either the United States or German Governments-nor do its activities limit or circumscribe any effort that the Swiss Minister, as representing German interests, may care to take, by himself or his agents, looking to the welfare of these prisoners. The War Department has been advised of no steps taken or contemplated by the Swiss Minister to systematically care for the welfare of German prisoners. As far as known no such efforts have been made. However, to the end that the State and War Departments may work in harmony in this matter the National Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor and any other relief society recognized under article 15 Hague convention will be especially limited in its activities and denied further recognition as a relief society unless all its reports are made to the War Department. It is not deemed advisable to deny these recognized relief societies the privilege of informing the War Department of any legitimate complaint that may come to their attention. This, however, is not a function of a relief society and would be most exceptional. It is not clearly understood how or under what authority the Swiss Minister proposes to entertain the complaints of these prison'Not printed. ers or relieve their necessities unless under article 24 Prussian treaty 1785 and article 24 Prussian treaty 1799, both of which treaties provide That each Party shall be allowed to keep a Commissary of prisoners of their own appointment, with every separate cantonment of prisoners in possession of the other, which commissary shall see the prisoners as often as he pleases; shall be allowed to receive and distribute whatever comforts may be sent to them by their friends, and shall be free to make his reports in open letters to those who employ him. If such is the intention of the Swiss Minister, it is desired that the War Department be informed, as in default thereof the Department must avail itself of all lawful and authorized means provided by law for the care of war prisoners in its custody. Sincerely yours, NEWTON D. BAKER File No. 763.72114/2732 The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BERNE, June 16, 1917, 10 a. m. 2055. Your 616, May 29. Organization completed as outlined my 991, June 2. Name "American Prisoners Central Committee."1 Suggest that instructions be issued to all officers and men, military and naval, sent abroad, in case of capture immediately to communicate with committee here. STOVALL File No. 763.72114/2756b The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Sharp) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, July 5, 1917, 3 p. m. 2418. The Department is considering the whole question of the free entry and transit to Switzerland of all foodstuffs and clothing, whether in bulk or small packages, destined for American prisoners of war and civilians held in the Central Empires or interned in 1After amalgamation with the Red Cross, the name of the organization was changed, in August, to "American Red Cross-Central Committee for American Prisoners." Switzerland. It is desirable that the privileges be as broad as possible. It is possible that it may be desirable occasionally to purchase supplies in France while awaiting the arrival of shipments from this country. Report details of the arrangement between French and British Governments on this subject and what formalities French Government require and your own comments. Early reply desired. LANSING File No. 763.72114/2781 The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PARIS, July 26, 1917. [Received July 27, 10.30 a. m.] 2330. My 2307, July 18. Foreign Office informs me that only parcels destined to British prisoners of war in Turkey and AustriaHungary pass through France. Those for prisoners in Germany are forwarded through Dutch and Danish channels. These parcels are accompanied by certificates which ensure their transit through France without further formalities. Bread destined to British prisoners of war in Germany is made in Switzerland from flour supplied by British Government which indicates to French Government monthly quantity required for which free passage is allowed through France. Free transit is allowed also parcels forwarded from Great Britain to British prisoners interned in Switzerland, accompanied by railway documents. Note states that French Government is entirely disposed to grant similar facilities for shipments for American prisoners in enemy countries or in Switzerland but, as regards consignments to Germany, it would be well for American Government to make an arrangement with Swiss Government similar to the one made by the British in order that no difficulty should arise both as regards parcels and bread in Danish territory. Foreign Office requests that it receive in due time specimens of certificates which will accompany parcels from America to Germany as well as information as to various quantities of flour which will be sent to Switzerland for making bread. As regards the purchase in France of food and clothing pending arrival of shipping from the United States, Foreign Office states that on account of the difficulty arising from the present situation in 1 Not printed; see Department's telegram No. 2418, July 5, supra. |