A Chance for the Y

The Japs are going to let Y.M.C.A. workers from neutral countries visit U.S. captives and do "general welfare work" among them, Director Tracy Strong of the Y's war prisoner aid committee announced last week. The U.S. in turn will allow similar work to be done among its Japanese prisoners.

In World War I the Y did a good job-especially in Russia--of setting up canteens and recreation halls for war prisoners. This time every belligerent country--except Russia--is letting it do an equally good job. And under the Geneva Convention of 1929, which provides for neutral inspection of prison camps to see that they measure up to proper welfare, educational, religious and recreational standards, the Y, along with the Red Cross, has had the added job of reporting on poor camp conditions to both sides. Neutrals, Swiss and Swedish Y--men will do the work among both U.S. and Japanese prisoners. "This means that the Japanese intend to abide by ... the Geneva Convention," said Mr. Strong, "that within the limits of war everything possible will be done to make the lot of American prisoners of war more comfortable." Observers agree that the Geneva code has improved the lot of World War II prisoners on all sides of the lines over that of prisoners in World War I.

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