In the Commons on the same day Mr. Churchill defended
the Admiralty announcement as to the treatment of submarine prisoners which had caused the German Government to take reprisal, on thirty-nine British officers. It was necessary to "brand" by a practical protest the barbarous warfare carried on by the German submarines, but the treatment of the sub- marine prisoners was in every way humane. Neutral witnesses would be able to examine the conditions. Mr. Neil Primrose explained what the Foreign Office had done to improve the conditions of the prisoners in Germany. Ten American officials had been authorized to visit the camps whenever they pleased. Sixteen camps had already been visited, and the reports showed that there was undoubtedly an improve- ment. These reports might be published when the aeries was complete or individually as they arrived. The feeling of the House was entirely in favour of immediate publication.
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