RG 84 0669 Exchange of Military POWs

Partial transcription of file held at the US National Archives, Washington.  During the early part of the first World War  British interests were represented by the US Embassy in Berlin.  This correspondence was sent via the US Embassy in London. 


RG 84 RECORDS OF FOREIGN SERVICE POSTS

Diplomatic Posts / Great Britain / Volume 0669

Exchange of Military prisoners of war by Great Britain and Germany

Exchange of Sanitary Personnel


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3345/15

FOREIGN OFFICE,

January 9th 1915

Your Excellency: –

I have the honour to transmit herewith to Your Excellency, for such use as you may wish to make of it, a Memorandum which I have caused to he prepared showing the actual state of the various questions now pending between His Majesty’s Government and the German Government with regard to the mutual exchange of various classes of persons now detained in the respective countries. The beginning of the year appeared to be a fitting time for drawing attention to the various questions still awaiting settlement, and especially to make clear the attitude of His Majesty’s Government as regards the question of individual exchanges.

I have the honour to be with the highest consideration,

Your Excellency*s most obedient,

humble Servant,

(for the Secretary of State)

[His?] Excellency

The Honourable

W H PAGE

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MEMORANDUM

As to questions concerning; attained civilians and Military prisoners outstanding between His Majesty’s government and the German Government on January 1915.

On December 31st 1914 the position with regard to proposals for the exchange of various classes of persons made to German Government as to which no reply had. been received was as follows –

The medically unlit.

On October 8th (57078) His Majesty’s Government proposed the exchange of invalids and of persons who on medical grounds would clearly be of no military value. This was refused by the German Government on November 3rd (66998).

His Majesty’s Government renewed their proposal on November 10th (70501).

His Majesty’s Government again called attention to the proposal on November 30th (75165).

No reply has yet been received as to the attitude of the. German Government.

His Majesty’s Government have from time to time transmitted to the German Government through the United States and received from the German Government through the same channel, medical certificates relating to persons whose state of health would justify their release, but it has not been and will not be possible to take action in the matter until a reply is given by the German Government to the repeated proposals of His Majesty’s Government.

It would appear, however, to be unlikely that the German Government would have forwarded medical certifications unless they had had the intention of agreeing to the proposal which alone would make such certificates of value, and it is hoped that it is only by an oversight that this intention has not yet taken the form of an acceptance of His Majesty’s Government’s proposals,

Persons on lists (man for man exchanges)

This exchange was to be one of persons in equal numbers who, as a general rule had had no previous military training and would therefore be of equivalent service to the two Governments on exchange. This proposal was made to the German Government through the United States Embassy on October 8th (57078) at the same time as the proposal for the exchange of the medically unfit.

On November 3rd (66998) His Majesty’ s Government were informed that the German Government would agree to a cartel for a man for man exchange of German and British subjects detained in. the respective countries, but would accept no general restrictions as to military training.

This was understood by His Majesty’s Government to mean that the German Government would name the persons whose return was desired from the United Kingdom and the British Government the persons whose return was desired from Germany.

But as the German Government would under this proposal naturally name persons who would be specially useful to them in a military capacity – a class which is almost, if not entirely, absent among the British subjects in Germany, this proposal was incompatible with the principles which have been adopted by His Majesty’s Government, namely that neither nation should gain any marked military advantage from any exchanges that took place.

On November 10th (70501) His Majesty’s Government renewed their original proposal and offered to send lists of Germans without military training whom they were prepared to release. His Majesty’s Government proposed to include the names of German Honorary Consuls in these lists, but, as the number of such Consuls exceed that of the Honorary British Consuls hold by the German Government, the balance ‘was to be made up by the inclusion of British subjects who had had military training.

On November 30th (75165) His Majesty’s’ Government again called attention to their proposal, explaining it more fully.

It should be noted that in this letter His Majesty’s Government modified their original proposal to the extent that they no longer claimed that the German subjects in Great Britain to be named by the them for exchange with British subjects in Germany to be named by the German Government should be of necessity persons without military training, and more over that they have in a letter of November 23rd (70501) definitely stated that “they are further prepared, to allow the departure of such German honorary Consular Officers as may be German subjects and desirous of. returning. Their names would, be included in the list of persons who have had no military training, even though in fact they may have had such training.”

No reply has yet been received from the German Government.

 

Individual exchanges

It will be noted from the foregoing that the main proposal of His Majesty’s Government as to exchanges of classes of persons have remained without result though originally made no less than 3 months ago. Under these circumstances His Majesty’s Government have not been able to consider the proposals for individual exchanges which the German Government have made from time to time. If for no other reason the procedure of negotiating individual ex-changes is an extremely difficult one owing to the suggestions of favouritism and undue influence which it entails, but were some considerable progress to be made with His Majesty’s Government’s proposals above mentioned these suggestions would be less likely to be made, and therefore after such progress had been, and as this would show that that the German. Government had looked with goodwill upon the proposals of His Majesty’s Government, His Majesty’s Government would do their best to find among the British subjects -who might remain in Germany persons of equivalent value to those whose return the German Government might socially desire from among those remaining in Great Britain.

Retired Officers

On the outbreak of war, the German Government detained several retired naval and military officers, who are mostly of advanced years and in feeble health. After the conclusion of the agreement as to the release of males over 55 years of age; it was confidently expected that, such officers would be released.

When it was found that they were still being detained representations -were made in reply to which the German Government stated that these persons must be assimilated to the status of officers., prisoners of war, and that they could only be released when there was an exchange of such prisoners. His Majesty’s Government had never contemplated that the German Government would so interpret the agreement and had, in good faith, allowed retired German officers to benefit by it and return to Germany.

The German authorities, although they had included retired British Officers in the category of officers, prisoners of war, nevertheless in some cases treated them as interned civilians until representations were made.

On December 10th (80878) His Majesty’s Government requested the United States Embassy to inform the German Government that they expected these retired officers released when the exchange. of British and German Officers men certified to be incapacitated for further service was agreed to.

 

The German Government have not yet replied this point.

Diplomatic and Consular Officers

On November 10th (70501) His Majesty’s Government stated that all German Consuls de carriers had been allowed to leave and that honorary Consuls would be included in the lists drawn up for the man for man exchange. Several German Honorary Consuls are still detained in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Their exact rank and standing are not always clear.

On December 11th (79193) His Majesty’s Government proposed an exchange of such Consuls and furnished a list of the so officials detained in the United Kingdom and in German: respectively. They have only received a partial reply to this proposal.

Officers of the Military Medical Services.

On December 21st (81766) His Majesty’s Government proposed to the German Government the mutual exchange of such officers.

 

Bank officials.

On November 13th (69582) His Majesty’s Government wrote to the United States Embassy pointing out that all British bankers and their staffs at Hamburg were reported to have been Interned whilst German bank employees in the United Kingdom were at liberty.

On November 26th (76316) the United States Ambassador transmitted to the Foreign Office copy of a letter from the United States Ambassador at Berlin from which it appeared that the German Government did not consider: as sufficient the. assurances given by His Majesty’s Government as to the treatment of German bank officials in the United Kingdom and asked for the names of those not interned.

On December 16th (82787) His Majesty’s Government furnished a list of the names and addresses of 120 bank officials

Officials of German nationality in the United Kingdom who had not been Interned.

No information has yet been received to show that British bank officials in Germany have been released.

 

General Exchange

On November 10th (70501) the United States Ambassador was informed that “His Majesty’s Government will consider in a friendly spirit any proposal for a general exchange of prisoners.” This proposal which formed part of a private letter from Mr. Acland to Dr. Page was confirmed in an official note of November 23rd. It was refused by the German Government.

There have been several complaints from the War Office as to the unsatisfactory manner in which lists of military prisoners are compiled. These complaints were brought to the notice of the United States Embassy on December 17th (81592). Such lists of interned civilians as have been received are also unsatisfactory.

The Prisoners of War Information Bureau attached to the Prussian Ministry of War has refused to reply to enquiries from private persons, although this duty is clearly imposed upon the Bureau by Article 14 of the Annex to the Hague Convention No. IV of October 18th, 1907, and although the British Prisoners of War Information Bureau replies to the best of its ability to the large number of private enquiries received.

His Majesty’s Government have, at the suggestion of the United States Ambassador, furnished the German Government with very complete statement as to the treatment and conditions of internment of German prisoners of war and interned civilians in the United Kingdom, but they have received no corresponding information from the German Government.

Thu proposal made to His Majesty’s Government that a committee of prisoners should be formed in each place of detention to co-operate with American officials for the distribution of funds provided by the German Government for furnishing additional comforts to German prisoners was accepted by them, and the United States Ambassador was in- formed of their acceptance on December 14th (79885). The United States Embassy has been furnished with all the information which was desired in order to put this scheme into operation, Committees have been elected and their chairmen are in communication with the official of the Embassy in charge of the matter, and it is believed that the scheme of relief will within a few days be in active operation.

His Majesty’s Government have made similar proposals with a view to the provision of comforts for British prisoners of war and interned civilians in Germany with the co-operation of American officials and expect that their proposals, which were brought to the notice of the United States Ambassador on December 26th (87208) will be speedily accepted by the German Government.

His Majesty’s Government desire to call attention to the fact that, while practically all male British subjects in Germany are believed to be interned, this is far from being the case with German subjects in the United Kingdom. The total number of male Germans above the age of 17 in the United Kingdom is about 27,200 and of these only 8,600 have been interned. Some 18,600 Germans are thus at liberty, and further, a careful sifting of those who have been interned is now being carried out. On December 5th the number who had, as the result of this process, been released from internment amounted to 600, and other persons have since that date received their liberty.

As far as can be Judged, British civilians in Belgian territory in German occupation have not been allowed to benefit by the arrangements referred to in this Memorandum although in several cases those arrangements would apply.

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AMERICAN EMBASSY LONDON

 

The American Ambassador presents his compliments to His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit herewith enclosed a copy of a letter he has received from the Embassy at Berlin, dated January 6, 1915, relative to the exchange of prisoners of war who may be considered on medical grounds as unfit for FURTHER military service, as well as THE exchange of certain retired British officers, and in FURTHER reference to the letter TRANS¬MITTED TO Sir EDWARD Grey on THE 39th. of DECEMBER.

January 14, 1915

OUTGOING TELEGRAM.

February 3, 1915,

American Minister, COPENHAGEN,

February 3,

For Berlin Embassy          Quote 295

Your letter January sixth transmitting German Foreign Office’s note stating that list of British prisoners of war in Germany to be included in exchange of prisoners incapacitated for further service would be communicated to British Government Period        British Government’s list of German prisoners in United Kingdom was transmitted with my letter of January seventh and Foreign Office now enquire when Herman list may be expected. Unquote

American Ambassador, LONDON

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INCOMING TELEGRAM.

Received:— February 6th, 1915. 3.50 p.m.

American Ambassador. LONDON.

386, 5th, YOUR 395, 3rd. FOREIGN OFFICE HAS REQUESTED MINISTRY OF WAR EXPEDITE LIST. Gerard Berlin.

American Minister, COPENHAGEN.

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Incoming Telegram

RECEIVED:- February 11th, 1915.                7.34 p.m.

American Ambassador, LONDON.

391, 10TH. YOUR 295, 3rd. “German GOVERNMENT HAVE prepared list of eight officers, fifteen non-commissioned officers and one hundred twenty-three privates of British Army prisoners of war in Germany considered incapacitated for further service whom they will exchange for one hundred seven German prisoners in England similarly Incapacitated according to your letter January 7th. In view of possible interruption of communication German Government propose fifteenth instant as date of EXCHANGE and will arrange that five non-commissioned officers and eleven privates leave Liege and all others leave Bentheim on fifteenth provided British Government arrange for departure German prisoners from England on fifteenth. Departure from Holland to England or Germany could then take place on sixteenth. “Gerard, Berlin.

American Minister, COPENHAGEN.

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February 12, 1915

Sir,

With reference to the Note you were good enough to address to me on the 3rd.  Instant relating to the proposed exchange of Incapacitated British and German prisoners of war, I have the honor to submit the following copy of a telegram I have just received from the “Ambassador at Berlin, dated the 10th* instant : –

“German Government have prepared list of eight officers, fifteen non—commissioned officers and one hundred twenty-three privates of British Army prisoners of war in Germany considered Incapacitated for further service whom they will exchange for one hundred seven German prisoners in England similarly Incapacitated according to your letter January 7th. In view of possible interruption of communication German Government propose fifteenth instant as date of exchange and will

 

The Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, Bt. , K.G

 

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Received:- February 14, 1915 5.50p.m.

 

American Ambassador London

 

398, 13th. My 391, 10th. “Have received from German Government names one hundred seven British prisoners of WAR incapacitated for further service, also seventeen names prisoners too severely wounded to be moved at present, but who will be permitted to leave at later date. FIVE wounded whose names not yet received, will be permitted to leave Bavaria, as well as others from Belgium as stated in my telegram 391. One hundred seven names are as follows :- Quote:-

 

William Edwards

John Linchon

John Mclnnes

Herbert Gsure

George Nichols

James Baker

William Greenhill

John Satin

Robert Johmas

Craffey

Hobes

Robert Quinn

George Belville

Peter Cullum

Mathew Dugal

Thomas Leng

David Shields

Ernest Plats

Edward Drinkwater

Edward Jackson

Frank Islis

Hyslow

Jones

Barr

Georges Farr

Thomas Sutton

James Windsor

James Mustill

Kerby

Mayo

Johnson

Steadman

Willy Lowe

Joseph Poppleton

 

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Received:-

 

Hopwood

Humphries

William Dawaston

Georges Leabrook

John Phillips

Dwyer

Morrison

Link

Overy

Davy

Marston

Robertson

Frabk Dideock

Frederick WeIton

George Taylor

Charles Bugden

James Markland

Charles Cosgrove

Francis Stockham

Thomas English

James Poyle

Charles Lediard

Alfred Clark

William Murphy

George Wilson

Ernst Petcher

William Hacher

John Hanly

Kennedy

Dunn

Alfred Colett

William Scot

Thomas Kingsburg

Thomas Pugh

Harry Oades

John Vesey

James Reeves

Meredith

Joseph Moon

Poneter

Ruchlon

Ball

Giddlngs

Bartlett

Kowlands

Thomas James

George LINE

Arthur Tinsley

Grevo

Gromack

Perkings

Roffey

Nicholson

Stanley Green

Burgen

Smith

James Burse

Knight

Halsey

 

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Green

Parker

Pachhouse

Turner

Geoke

Schandler

Samuel

William Cars

Stephen

George Wakefield

Ferguson

Keeling

Taylor

Hughes

Harris“

 

Unquote. Gerard Berlin.

American Minister, COPENHAGEN.

 

[Stamp] Mr, LAUGHLIN.

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17110/15.

“Immediate”

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the United States Ambassador and has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of His Excellency’s note of the 12th instant stating that the German Government are releasing eight officers, fifteen non-commissioned officers and one hundred and twenty three privates of the British prisoners of war in Germany considered in capacitated for further service, whom they are ready exchange for one hundred and seven incapacitated German prisoners of war in this country, of whom a list was furnished to His Excellency on the 6th ultimo.

His Majesty’s Government agree to the 15th instant’ as the date on which the departures from Germany and England should take place and the necessary arrangements are being made by the Army Council through the British Red Cross Society for sending the one hundred and seven Incapacitated German officers and men over to Holland on the date In question.

 

Sir E. Grey has the honour to request that the German Government may be informed accordingly.

Foreign Office.

February 13th, 1915.

 

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OUTGOING TELEGRAM

 

February 14, 1915

American Legation COPENHAGEN,

For Berlin Embassy. Quote. No.  three hundred and seven, fourteenth. Your three hundred ninety-one tenth. British Government agree to fifteenth instant as date of exchange and necessary arrangements are being made through British Bed Cross Society for sending the one hundred and seven incapacitated German officers and men over to Holland on that date.

 

American Ambassador London

 

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Lafayette Ltd

179 New Bond street

London

February 15th 1915

Re British R.A.M.C. Prisoners of War

  1. Lafayette presents his compliments to His Excellency Dr. W. H. Page, and in connection with the above subject would be glad to know if Dr. Page can give any information as to whether the German Government at present contemplates exchanging Prisoners for German I Medical Officers held by this country.
  2. Lafayette is deeply interested in the subject as his son has been a prisoner with the Germans for the past six months, and M. Lafayette has noticed that 5 R. A. M. C. men were recently released.

If Dr. Page can give this information, M. Lafayette will be most grateful.

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February 15th, 1915

 

Sir:-

 

Referring to my telegram No.391 of February 10th, concerning the exchange of officers and men of the British Army at present prisoners in Germany, who are considered incapacitated for further service during the present war, I hare the honor to enclose herewith the list of names referred to, which was communicated to you in my telegram No.398 of February 13th.

 

Up to the time of the writing of this letter no reply has been received to my telegram No 391 and unless an immediate reply is received,

I greatly fear that the arrangements made by the Imperial Government for the transfer of these wounded prisoners from Germany to Holland will not take place to-day.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

His Excellency,

The Honorable Walter Hines Page,

American Ambassador,

LONDON

 

His Excellency,

The Honorable Walter Hlnes Page,

American Ambassador,

LONDON

CHR/FFB

 

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Sir,

With reference to your telegram No 391 of the 10th instant relative to the release of a number of prisoners who are incapacitated for further service. I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a note on the subject and when which my telegram No 307 of the 14th instant was based.

I have the honor to be,

Sir

Your obedient servant,

 

 

His Excellency

The Honorable James W Gerrard

American Ambassador

Berlin

Enclosure:- Copy of a note from Sir E Grey to Mr Page date February 13, 1915.

 

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The American Ambassador present his compliments to His Majesty’s secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and with reference to Sir Edward Grey’s Note of the 13th instant No 17110 and previous correspondence on the subject of the exchange of prisoners of war, has the honor to quote the following telegram he has just received under date of the 13th instant from the Ambassador at Berlin. The telegram No. 391 therein referred to was transmitted to Sir Edward GREY on the 12th instant.

The original copy of Mr Gerard’s telegram of the 15th is enclosed herewith as some of the names appear to have been mutilated.

“Have received from German Government names one hundred seven British prisoners of WAR incapacitated for further service, also seventeen names prisoners too severely wounded to be moved at present, but who will be permitted to leave at later date. FIVE wounded

whose names not yet received, will be permitted to leave Bavaria, as well as others from Belgium as stated in my telegram 391. One hundred seven names are as follows: – Quote: –

 

William Edwards

John Linchon

John Mclnnes

Herbert Gsure

George Nichols

James Baker

William Greenhill

John Satin

Robert Johmas

Craffey

Hobes

Robert Quinn

George Belville

Peter Cullum

Mathew Dugal

Thomas Leng

David Shields

Ernest Plats

Edward Drinkwater

Edward Jackson

Frank Islis

Hyslow

Jones

Barr

Georges Farr

Thomas Sutton

James Windsor

James Mustill

Kerby

Mayo

Johnson

Steadman

Willy Lowe

Joseph Poppleton

Hopwood

Humphries

William Dawaston

Georges Leabrook

John Phillips

Dwyer

Morrison

Link

Overy

 

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Davy

Marston

Robertson

Frabk Dideock

Frederick WeIton

George Taylor

Charles Bugden

James Markland

Charles Cosgrove

Francis Stockham

Thomas English

James Poyle

Charles Lediard

Alfred Clark

William Murphy

George Wilson

Ernst Petcher

William Hacher

John Hanly

Kennedy

Dunn

Alfred Colett

William Scot

Thomas Kingsburg

Thomas Pugh

Harry Oades

John Vesey

James Reeves

Meredith

Joseph Moon

Poneter

Ruchlon

Ball

Giddlngs

Bartlett

Kowlands

Thomas James

George LINE

Arthur Tinsley

Grevo

Gromack

Perkings

Roffey

Nicholson

Stanley Green

Burgen

Smith

James Burse

Knight

Halsey

Green

Parker

Pachhouse

 

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Turner

Geoke

Schandler

Samuel

William Cars

Stephen

George Wakefield

Ferguson

Keeling

Taylor

Hughes

Harris“

February 15, 1915

 

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INCOMING TELEGRAM.

Received : – February 17, 1915 3.58 p.m.

 

American Embassy, London

 

  1. 16th. Foreign Office Informs me British wounded at Wittenberg whose names appear on list persons to be EXCHANGED sent with my letter February 15th. cannot be permitted to leave Germany now on ACCOUNT outbreak spotted typhus fever camps at Wittenberg. Gerard, Berlin.

 

American Minister, Copenhagen.

 

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The American Ambassador presents his compliments to His Majesty’s secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to quote the following telegram, dated the 16th instant, which he has Just received from the Ambassador at Berlin : –

“Foreign Office informs me British wounded at Wittenberg whose names appear on list persons to be exchanged sent with my letter February 15th, cannot be permitted TO LEAVE Germany NOW ON account outbreak spotted typhus fever camps at WITTENBERG”

The list above referred to has not yet come to hand Mr. Page expects to receive it by the courier who arrives from Berlin tomorrow morning.

February 17, 1915.

 

 

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AMERICAN EMBASSY,

LONDON

The American Ambassador presents his compliments to His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and has the honour to transmit herewith enclosed a copy of a letter he has

RECEIVED FROM THE EMBASSY AT Berlin, DATED February 15th. 1915, enclosing a list of incapacitated prisoners in Germany referred to in Mr. Page’s Note of the 17th. instant.

Mr. Page ventures to add that Sir Edward Grey’s a reply to his note of the 17th. instant which embodied Mr. Gerard1s telegram, No. 391, to which reference is made, was received on the morning of Sunday the 14th. instant, and telegraphed to Mr. Gerard without delay the same day.

February 18, 1915.

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No. 33209/15.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents HIS compliments to the United States Ambassador and has the honour to inform His Excellency that His Majesty’s Government have had under their consideration the proposals of the German Government, as communicated in Mr. Page’s note of January 28th respecting the retention of the personnel of the medical services which has fallen into the enemy’s hands.

His Majesty’s Government are of opinion that the£ interpretation adopted by the German Government, though generally in harmony with the spirit of the Geneva Convention, might, with advantage be made more precise.

The view of His Majesty’s Government with regard to the

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TRANSLATION.

Foreign Office.

B 16600

85137

With reference to Its Note Verbale, No. III b 14890, of June 6th, 1916, the Foreign Office has the honor to make the following statement concerning the exchange of the severely wounded prisoners of war with England.

The German Government have received word regarding the FOLLOWING German OF FLOORS, prisoners of war in England, who are either severely wounded or seriously ill:

1)            Reserve Lieutenant Könlg, of the 6th Lancers, now at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, London, S.W, whose left arm was amputated above the elbow.

This officer has written to his father that he would be exchanged if the German Government would release Captain Belleville, a British officer Interned at Osnabrück, whose left arm has also been amputated.

2)            Lieutenant Nickisch von Rosenegk, of the 5th Battalion Engineer a, formerly at Holyport but now at DONNINGTON Hall, near Derby.

While the British Government have mentioned this officer to the German Government for exchange (the Embassy’s Note Verbale of April 6th last) he fears In view of his having been transferred from Holyport to Donington Hall, situated In the interior, that he may no longer be considered in the exchange.

To the

Embassy OF the United States of America

 

INCOMING TELEGRAM.

JfoweiWJune 35th, 1915*

3*48 p*m*

liner loan Ambassador, LONDON *

548*      34th* Urgent* My 541, 18th*

following Note Verbale from Imperial Foreign Office dated June 13rd relative exchange severely wounded just received.:-

“With reference to its Note Verbals Number 3 B 14890 »of the sixth instant the Foreign Office has the honor to •make the following statement concerning exchange of severely “wounded with England*

“The German Government have received word regarding the following German officers, prisoners of war in England, who are either severely wounded or seriously ill.

“Number one* Reserve Lieutenant Koenig, Sixth * Lancers, now at Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, London “S.W., whose left arm was amputated above the elbow.

“This officer has written to his father that he “would be exchanged if the German Government would release “Captain Belleville, a British officer interned at “Osnabruck, whose left arm has also been amputated.

“Number 2.  Lieutenant Nickisch von Rosenegk, “Fifth Battalion Engineers, formerly at Holyport, now at “Donnington Hall near Derby.

“While the British Government have mentioned this “Officer to the German Government for exchange the Embassy’s Note Verbale of April 6th last) he fears in view of his having been transferred from Holyport to Donnington situated in the interior that he may no longer be considered in the exchange.

“Number 3. Reserve Lieutenant Ahrens Kaiser Franz, Second Grenadier Guards Regiment at present in the Royal Herbert Hospital at Woolwich.

This officer’s wife has been informed by the doctor in charge of the hospital that in his opinion her husband was eligible for exchange.

 

“Number 4. Reserve Lieutenant Jacob Schlueter at present in Queen Alexandra Hospital for Officiers, is apparently suffering from incurable pericarditis.

The Foreign Office would be grateful if the American Embassy at London could be requested to inform

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INCOMING TELEGRAM

Received: –

the British Government that the German Government are of the opinion that they may expect consideration of the four officers above mentioned in the exchange about to take place,

Should it be confirmed that the British Government make the release of Lieutenant Koenig dependent on the release of the British Officer Captain Belleville, the Embassy at London is requested to send word of this fact by telegraph,”                Gerard, Berlin.

American Minister,

COPENHAGEN.

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OUTGOING TELEGRAM.

Received: – June 24, 1915,

American Minister, COPENHAGEN.

June 24,

 

For Berlin Embassy. Quote Twenty fourth. Your telegrams five hundred and forty-one June eighteenth and five hundred and forty-two June nineteenth. I have today received the following Note from Foreign Office, dated June twenty third: – Subquote

 

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the United States Ambassador and, with reference to His Excellency’s note of the 31st. instant respecting the exchange of incapacitated prisoners of war and medical personnel has the honour to state that His Majesty’s Government agree to the proposal of the German Government to effect the exchange both of the incapacitated prisoners and of the

personal of both sides on the dates suggested,  namely June twenty-eight and twenty-nine and will make the necessary arrangements so far aS CONCERNS THE GERMAN PRISONERS IN THIS COUNTRY, TO CARRY OUT BOTH THE EXCHANGES ON THE DATES SPECIFIED. PERIOD. BOTH MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND SEVERELY WOUNDED PRIsoners will be permitted to take back to Germany their money, valuables and personal effects. Paragraph.

 

The cases of the German wounded whose names were transmitted in the note verbale of the

 

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German Foreign Office. No. three B.  fourteen thousand eight hundred and ninety to the United States Embassy in Berlin of June sixth will receive careful consideration. Paragraph.

The various grades of the German sanitary personnel to be repatriated will receive the payments due to them under the Geneva Convention up to the moment they leave the United Kingdom. Paragraph.

With regard to the proposal of the German Government that the persons to be exchanged should travel in a Dutch vessel, it is a matter of indifference to His Majesty’s Government whether a Dutch or British vessel is used for the purpose. Period, His Majesty’s Government note that the Netherland Government have acceded to the request of the German Government for their good offices in the matter, and they are therefore instructing His Majesty’s Minister at the Hague, through whom an offer from the Netherland Red Cross to assist the wounded during their passage through Dutch territory has already been received, to approach the Netherland Government with a request for their assistance and to ascertain whether one or more vessels will be employed for the purpose. Paragraph.

His Majesty’s Government assume that the vessels which convey the British wounded and medical personnel will return with the German prisoners who axe to be exchanged and that if any medical attendance

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Other than of the medical personnel who will presumably travel on the same ships as the severely wounded, is required it will be supplied from Dutch sources, both for care of British and German wounded. Paragraph.

The numbers of German prisoners to be sent back from the United Kingdom will be approximately as follows :- Wounded : Four officers forty three men. Period. Medical personnel ten officers one hundred and fifty-three men. Paragraph.

The Secretary of State would be much obliged if Mr. Page would be good as to communicate the foregoing by telegram to the United States Ambassador at Berlin.

The foregoing has been telegraphed to the department today. Unquote.

American Ambassador London.

End subquote.

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OUTGOING TELEGRAM.

Sent June 24, 1915

Secstate, Washington.

2344 Your 1631 June 1. Before coming to a decision in the matter of exchange of severely wounded prisoners of war in British and German Colonies and Protectorates, British Government would be glad to receive definite information as to what arrangements the German Government are prepared to make as regard the repatriation to British territory of such British incapacitated officers and men as are now held prisoners in German Colonies and Protectorates.

Please repeat to Gerard

American Ambassador London

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Crown copyright reserved.

LIST No. 1. —1st JANUARY, 1915.

The officers shown in the sub-joined list were originally reported “missing” and no further information showing either that they are prisoners of war or dead has, up to the present (1st January), been received. It is requested that any information obtained by any person into whose hands this list comes may be at once communicated in writing to the Secretary, War Office, London.

[List not transcribed]

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20 MAY 1915

LONDON.

The secretary of State for Foreign Affaire presents his compliments to the United States Ambassador and, has the honour to state that enquiries have been addressed to him as to where the Officers and men of His Majesty’s ships “Crusader* and “Maori” recently captured off the Belgian coast, have been interned.

Sir E. Grey would he grateful if Mr, Page would ask the United States Ambassador at Berlin by telegram, to obtain this information from the German Government.

Foreign Office,

19th May, 1915.

[End]

 

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