22 SEPTEMBER 1917, Page 13

GERMAN OFFICER PRISONERS.

fro sue Emma or me -ErscraT011."1 Sea,—I would again strongly urge the desirability of publishing from time to time, and after each great push, a nominal-roll of the German officers taken prisoner, their regiments also being indicated. The interest for the British public therein may not be very great, but the effect in neutral countries, and also in Germany itself, would be good. Here in Switzerlanff the daily communiqiMs of the combatants published side by side in the Press, and posted up in the windows of libraries, are eagerly scanned by the many. Those who have but imperfectly realized the value of the so:called "Hun-truth " are inclined to believe that the Allied advance as published is discounted by the lying German reports. The figures of the prisoner. taken are regarded as approximate, or exaggerated, and fail to convince. The publica- tion of a nominal-roll of the officers captured would illustrate, illuminate, and stiffen our reports of successes, as it is well recog- nized that where a dozen German officers are prisoners, the number of rank-and-file captured must run into hundreds. With paper at its present price the names of the thousands of men taken is quite out of the question. The nominal-rolls would, in sit probability, find their way hence across the line, where many German families are Anxiously awaiting news of their kin. The proof that a certain number of German officers were taken, say. between the 12th and 14th of a month, when it is known heavy fighting took place, would go for to discount the reports of the German brilliant successes on those dates. The enemy might, of course, attempt to retaliate. But if his action took the form of the prompt publication of the names of the British officers fallen into German hands, it would be wanting in much of the brutality

which has hitherto characterized so much of the enemy's pro-

Colonel Indian Volunteer. and late Aide-de-Camp to the King. I-even.