SUPREME COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 123, 18 February 1920, Page 7

SUPREME COUNCIL

REPLY TO GERMAN NOTE TRIAL OF THE WAR CRIMINALS (By Tcleeraph-.Prcss Association-Copyright (Ike. February 17, 11.15 p.m.) London, February 17. The Supreme Council lias issued a reply to tlio German Note of January 25 which set out the grave political and economic consequences likely to arise throueh surrender of the war criminals. The Powers record Germany's declaration of inability to carry out the Peace Treaty in regard to the .surrenders. They accordingly reserve power to employ the■ rishts which the Treaty accords them. The Allies note the German oiler immediately to open penal proceedings before the Supremo Court nt Leipzfg asaiiist all those whose extradition was notified, also undertaking that tile Court would bo under most complete guarantees. and not affected by other German judgments or court practices. Th? Supreme Council points out that the offer accords with a provision in Article 228 of the Treaty. The Allies, therefore, accent tho offer, but reserve the right to decide by the results whether Germany acts in good faith and associates herself in punishing the crimes committed. The Allies, however, intend to appoint a mixed Inter-Allied Commission to collect evidence in support of the charges aeainst the accused. The Powers reserve the right to decide whether Germany's proposed procedure does not insult in the accused escaping their just punishment, in which ease they will exercise their full rights by submitting tho cases to their own tribunals.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

TURKISH PEACE DISCUSSED REPLY TO WILSON DRAFTED. (Rec. February 18, 0.35 a.m.) London, February 17. The Supreme Council met at jVo. 10 Downing Street to-day, and discussed the quostion of the Turkish peace, in connection with which M. Yenizelos (Greece) attended. He stated tho caso for Greece. The Council also dificusiW tho draft of a reply to President Wilson's Note in reference to the Adriatic, question. The draft is not yet and tho forecasts published will probnbly be found to be inaccurate. It is that President Wilson's letter was not a gratuitous intervention, but whs in the nature of a reply to a Note fVom the conference, outlining its provisional decisions and the reasons for theai—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. PEACE TREATY" DEBATE

RESUMED IN UNITED STATES SENATE.

Washington, February 10. The Senate has resumed tho Peace Treaty debate. Senator Lodgft moved the adoption of a modification of tho proposed withdrawal of the United States from membership of the League. Senator M'Cormick pointed out t'.hat as Europe was asking for changes in the Treaty there were good reasons way tho United States ought not to ratify.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. RECENT mm DECISIONS THE LAPSED DEMAND FOR WAB CRIMINALS. London, February 17. Commenting on the report that the Allies have waived their claim for the surrender of the war criminals, leaving tho German Supreme Court at Leipzig: tx> judge their crimes, "The Times" in a leader says tho Allies* decision may be fraught with inconceivable consequences. It is not yet time to assess the responsibility. Tho decision regarding Turkey is oven more striking and revealed the change in Allied opinion, which requires tho most careful investigation ar.d is most significant in view of President Wilson's return to active control of American affairs.—"The Times."