Much too little attention has been paid to an almost
incredible statement made in the course of the court-martial at Hanover at which a British officer is being tried on charges respecting the treatment of German prisoners. Another officer, giving evidence for the prosecutiOn, affirmed that it was perfectly proper to threaten German prisoners with the death of their families in order to extract information from them. Such a statement would be incredible if it were not vouched for by a reliable journalist (a representative of the Daily Express) who was in court and heard it. When the matter was raised in the House of Commons on Monday the Under- Secretary for Foreign Affairs would say no more than that " the method is certainly not approved," on the ground that the case in question was sub judice. It is, of course, primarily the War Office's concern, and Mr. Shinwell will be looked to for some vigorous action in the matter.
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