THE KAISER'S PUNISHMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 6

THE KAISER'S PUNISHMENT

Sir,—We read a pood deal in thesp days about "Shoot him!" "Hang him!" I have yet to learn that any British statesman Jilts used those words in his speeches or entertained the idea in his mind. They may have been uttered by audiences as ejaculations when the crimes of Germany wero dwelt upon, or by irresponsible orators and newspaper correspondents, but that tho met, at the head of State in Britain, France, or America literally thirst for the blood of the Kaiser I do not believe. True,'we nro not blind to tho fact that the Kaiser was the puppet-head of tho system which has brought the world to the vea'ge of despair and misery. During forty years, nt the beginning and in the course of Hie great war, ho hud scores of opportunities to pur his foot) down and say, "No, I shall not," but as in tho time of the famous lioer lelcgram, when his better self resisted for three days the importunities of his "advisers,"' he submitted his judgment jnd perhaps his feelings to tho behests of n clique of generals, diplomats, and munition agents who held him in their power. If tho Kaiser is brought to judgment it may bo shown that he was largely the victim of his temperament. Power he possessed, but not (he great qualities of character that would have enabled him to direct thitt power in a policy of humanity and generosity among tho nations. Ho allowed himself to be oarried away by tho (latteries and false.assurances of his courtiers. If he was shrewd enough to see where the policy of domination would lead to he had not independence and strength enough to stick to his own text —to say "No," and take the consequences. Unlike, the great man ho was so fond of imitating, the. Kaiser was badly equipped to be a leader of men. Napoleon brooked no interference with his narsh

and brutal policy. The Kaiser appears to havo been too weak to interfere in or to regulate the harsh and brutal policy of his advisers. Your readers will remember that Napoleon, who. might woll be called the murderer of masses, was neither shot nor hanged, oven after his breach of faith in running away from Elba to organise (he campaign where he met his Waterloo. When the Kaiser stands convicted, let him be disgraced and banished out of the way of intrigue, but let us not spill his blood—l am, eic., . ,„,„ . NOT HIS APOLOGIST. Wellington, December 10.