Exchange of POWs:

[Frank_East]

September 1st 1917 news item revisited by The Lincolnshire Gazette.

Lord Newton, who is in control of the Prisoners of War Department,informed a Daily Chronicle representative on Thursday that the scheme which has been arranged with Berlin for the exchange of prisoners of war is still held up by the difficulties put forward by the German Government with regard to the port of debarkation in this country.The British Government suggested Hull, but the Germans objected, for no other reason,apparently, than that they still wished to maintain the impression in their own country that as a result of the submarine campaign all ports here are sealed with the exception of Southwold,which was announced from Berlin at the beginning of the U Boat war as an exception for neutrals.(Southwold due to inferior depth and handling facilities would have been restricted to receiving ships of low tonnage.)

On August 21st the British Goverment sent a fresh proposal to Berlin,suggesting two other ports as alternatives,one of which was Boston.To this note no reply has yet been received.

Agreement was finally reached and on January 7th, 1918, 632 men were landed at Boston.The number was made up of 379 civilians,235 soldiers,and 27 officers.

Were 9 of the civilians of the fairer sex? It does not say so.Otherwise the numbers do not tally.

Regards

Frank East