THE RAISER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 100, 22 January 1919, Page 7

THE RAISER

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WAR ANSWERABLE IN PERSON

JURISTS REPORT TO THE PEACE CONGRESS

By. relegraph-Pio'ss issooiatloi^-OopyTiffllt

(Rec. January 21, 10.15 p.m.)

■■• Paris, January 20. .-•'.Ail'official 'bulletin issued by the Peace Conference gives the report upon the Kaiser's responsibility for, the war by the jurists mentioned,, namely, M. Larnande, the doyen of *»/««% of Law, and M. De la" Pradelle, Professor of International-Law at the Paris University. The report states: "The Kaiser is answerable in his own person, both in penal and civil .law.for the war and the-crimes committed by the armed' forces under his com- : mand: The Kaiser's position Is similar to that of directors- of a public ■company, who can be; punished by criminal law, .while the position of. the German nation is similar to.that of the' shareholders, who cannot be punished. The Kaiser cannot escape his responsibility; because the German Constitution' gives him alone the power of decision. .The German Sovereign depends solely, upon God and the sword; The' Kaiser, in speeches, frequently expressed this view of his authority, and .according to 'the Constitution the Kaiser declares war in the name of the Confederacy of which Prussia is the 'dominant partner, and the Kaiser was the King of Prussia." The jurists quote a. letter showing that the Kaiser ordered *>.id desired ferooious methods of. warfare. liio Kaiser, early in the war, wrote to the Emperor of-Austria,, stating: "Everything must put to fire ' and sword. Men,-women, and children and old' men must,bo slaughtered. No house or. tree must be left standing. . . .' With, these . methods . of terrorism, which alone are/-capable of affecting . a people as degenerate as the. French, the'war'will be; over in two months.' 1

The report comments: "Thus the Kaiser incurred a personal penal responsibility! to which must be added the civil responsibility of the German Empire. Both . are ' resjwnsible—the Empire' ; at civil' law, ,and the Kaiser at penal and civil law, according to the most elementary rules of right." . /Finally, the jurists, quote Vattel: "That a i prince of an unjust war .is liable to personal penalties if such are necessary for the sake' of example, for the security of the injured '■party, and for the security of human society."—Reuter. : . ■

. TEmerich de Vattel .'was a distinguished Swiss'publicist, in the diphv matic, and'political service of Saxony,' and was author of the famous "Law of Nations," which was translated by chittyj .;.;'-■■ ■■-; -■■■/.

KAISER' SHOULD BE JUDGED BY

AN INTERNATIONAL COURT.

■ (Reel January 22, L3O a.m.) ' ■ Paris, January 20. The French jurists presented'to the delegates., their.report on the Kaiser's culpability.'" .'• After pleading for the Kaiser's extradition and condign punishment the report adds: "The Kaiser should be judged by an international court; forming the principal depart-ment-of the League of'Nations.—Aus.-N;Z--Cable Assn.