24 MAY 1913, Page 2

On Wednesday the British subjects imprisoned in Germany on charges

of espionage were released on the occasion of the King's visit. The prisoners were Captain Trench of the Marine Light Infantry, Lieutenant Brandon, R.N., and Mr. Bertrand Stewart. Captain Trench and Mr. Brandon had served two years and five months of their term of three years and ten months; Mr. Stewart bad served fifteen months of his term of three years and two months. Captain Trench and Mr. Stewart were confined in the fortress of Glatz, in Silesia. Mr. Brandon was imprisoned first at Wesel, on the Rhine, and subsequently at Konigstein. After the escape of the French officer, Captain Lux, from Glatz the conditions of confinement became more severe. The German Emperor appears to have acted of his own motion in ordering the release of the prisoners ; and all Englishmen must feel that both in the occasion of his act and in the avoidance of any appearance of ostentatious clemency, such as can be made galling to those who are put under an obligation, the Emperor has behaved with exemplary tact, consideration, and generosity. Gratitude and pleasure in this country, we are very glad to know, are matched by general satisfaction in Germany.