GERMAN GUILT IN THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 85, 4 January 1919, Page 8

GERMAN GUILT IN THE WAR

• —:—: 4 '■ FIXING BLAME ON THE OFFENDERS In a written answer to a recent question in the House of Commons by Colonel Sir Hamnr Greenwood, the AttorneyGeneral stated:. . ' I have been authorised, by the 'War Cabinet to appoint,.! committee to inquire into , and report upon the. following:— (1) The facts as to breaches of the laws and customs of war, affecting mem- . here of the British armed forces or other British subjects, committed , by the forces of the German 'Empire and their allies on land, on sea, and- in the air during the present war., (2) The degree of responsibility for ■ these offeiioes, attaching to particular members of the German or other enemy forces' including the German or other' enemy . General Staft, or other highlyplaced' individuals". (3) The Constitution and procedure of a tribunal appropriate to the trial 'of these offences. ' ... . ' (4) Any other matters cognate or ancillary to the above which, may arise, in the course of the inquiry and which the committee find's it useful and rele-, vant to take into consideration. , "With the approval of. the "War Cabinet the committee has been constituted as follows:— ' ' ■ ' ■ . ' ' . Chairman,. Sir John Macdonell; vice- . chairman. Professor J. H. Morgan; Sir . Frederick Pollock, Sir E. M. Pollock, K.C., M.P., Sir Alfred Hopkinson, K.C., Sir John Butcher, KC. M.P., C. F. Gill, K.C., H. F. Manisty, K.C., C. A Russell, K.C., Dr. A. Pearce Higgins. '. Representatives of the "War Office: Brigadier-General ( G K. Cockerill and t Captain Morgan; of the Foreign Office, Mr. C. J. B. Hurst, K.C.; of the Prisoners of ■•War Committee, Sir/Reginald Aclnnd,. K.C.i of the .Foreign Claims . Office, Mr. Justice Peterson;'of the Atl- , miralty Rear-Admiral.Sir Reginald Hall, ; Captain V. Brandon, K.N., T. W. H. Iriskipi K.C; •' . ! Secretaries:.Mr. Hugh H. L. Bellot and Mr. J. E. C. de Montmorcncy. ■ , ■The /committee will act in consultation with the law officers, and'will establish , liaison with ■ similar, committees set up 1 in Allied countries. The first meeting of the'committee was' ; held on AVednesdny, nnd was addressed ' by , the. Attorney-General, who said Gcr- , ]i\ahy had challenged international law. , He was- authorised : to , , state' to the : committee that it', was . the intention of. ; the Government to give them ajiy assistance and any facilities; which might be . required. . ' ■ Expedition ,was. of, great importance, . and at least a preliminary | tion might prove 'very valuabla. ' ,