in the Commons on Monday Mr. Tennant answered the criticisms
on the expenditure incurred in preparing and maintaining Donington Hall as a place of confinement for German officers. He said that the expenditure had not been lavish, but was in accordance with the scale provided by the War Office. No billiard tables were supplied, and the furniture was of a simple kind, such as is used in the bedroome of domestic servants. On Tuesday the Commons delegation appointed to inquire into the conditions at Donington Hall issued a preliminary report to the effect that the whole provi- sion was in accordance with the regulations. We confess that we have no sympathy with the spirit of niggling and petty fault-finding which has inspired the rather bitter criticisms on this subject. If we were to treat our prisoners in the manner some of the critics suggest, as a kind of reprisal, we should dishonour ourselves more than we should injure the prisoners. Edward III. and the Black Prince seven hundred years ago established the English precedent in the matter of prisoners. Let us refuse even under the greatest provocation to break so wholesome, so gallant, and so humane a tradition.
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