Representatives of the British and German Departments con- cerned with
prisoners of war have met at the Hague—the first direct meeting between belligerent officials. The British repres sentatives are Lord Newton, Sir Robert• Younger, and General Sir H. Belfield. The questions to be discussed include the resump- tion of the repatriation of combatant and civilian prisoners under existing agreements, and the extension of such agreements ; the transfer of combatant. prisoners of war to other neutral countries besides Switzerland ; the internment of civilian prisoners of war in neutral countries ; the delay in reporting, and failure to report, the capture of prisoners ; the punishment of and reprisals on prisoners; and improvements in the delivery of parcels to prisoners. We cannot share the suspicions expressed in some quarters that by opening these strictly limited and highly desirable negotiations we are encouraging the supporters of a premature peace.
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