A GRIM WHO’S WHO.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1919, Page 4

A GRIM WHO’S WHO.

THE KAISER’S ACCOMPLICES

LIST OF HUN OFFENDERS

Under the title ‘ Hanging the J Kaiser,’ the ‘World’s Work ’ says . in a recent issue :—Several respectable authorities iu England have declared that there is no tribunal before which the Kaiser and his associates can be called to answer for their crimes; despite this, the Peace Conference has made an excellent beginning by appointing a committee' to determine, among other things, “ the degree of responsibility for these offences attaching to particular members of the enemy’s forces, including members of the General Stall's and other individuals, however highly placed.” Probably there is no sentiment more generally prevailing in the world to-day than the demand for the punishment of those who have fought the most atrocious war in history in the most atrocious way. If no tribunal exists for bringing these arc’ll- criminals to book.it is simply because the crimes of which they stand accused have been hitherto unknown. sOME INDICTS!ENTS. What sped ficaily are these crimes ? An industrious Frenchman, M. Tan credo Muriel, has done Hie world a service by assembling in cornu ete form tlie particular offences charged to particular individuals in his recent book, ‘What Will Be the End of William 11. aud His Accomplices?’ M. Martel has compiled a list, a kind of* Who’s Who in International Crime,’ containing 573 high-placed Germans who may with propriety be haled before the bar of justice. Most of the German leaders who have figured in the war news ol tlie last four years figure in M. Martel’s list. Inevitably the Kaiser stands at the head, and then the Crown Prince, Bethmaun Hollweg, Hindenburg, Mackensen, and all the rest folio win all their hideous eminence'. The following are a few of the specific offences which, according to M. Martel, demand the consideration of the Allies:

HEADED BV HINDENBURG. Von Hindenburg—As Commau-der-in-Chief in East Prussia, ordered that bread which had been found soaked in paraffin should be given as food to the Russian prisoners. Being at Roisel (Somme) on the ioth March, 1917, gave the order that everything should be destroyed, burned, and pillaged iu the regions which the barbarians were about to evacuate. Was responsible for the violation of tombs at Carlepont, Candor, and Roiglise iu March, 1917,

Von Mackensen—Responsible for thefts, incendiarism, and the execution ot notables and peasants in Rumania. Ordered about 1000 Rumanian children, Horn xo to 17 j-ears ot age, to be shot, on tlie ground that they had conspired against him. Stole 10,000,000 lei in the occupied parts of Rumania.

Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria — Massacred and hanged civilians in Russian Poland in 1915. Is respon - sible for the deportations of Lille, Roubaix, aud Turcoing, accomplished with the the help of Von Graevenitz, Military Governor of Lille. Connived at the theft of money from the deportees.

Von Schubert —Shelled a number of old men, women, aud children whom he had collected in the hospital at Brouage, on the ground hat they were “useless mouths.” Caused 31 girls to be carried off and placed at the disposal of his officers. Von Bulow-—Posted tlie following notice at Andennes 011 the 22nd of August, 1914 : “It is with my con-, sent that the whole place has been burned and about 100 people have been shot.” Posted the following notice at Namur oii the 25th of August, 1914: “Ten hostages will be taken in each street. If there is any disturbance in the streets all the hostages will be shot.” Klauss —Responsible for massacres at Gerbeviller and Fraimbois. At Gerbeviller alone 60 civilians were assassinated. One of them, engaged in Red Cross work, was soaked in petroleum and burned alive.

Stenger—Author of the following order of the day : “ All prisoners, even if taken in large numbers, are to be put to death. No living man is to be left behind 11s.” Von Graevenitz —Military Governor of Lille. Carried 30,000 civilians, including many women and children, into slavery, and told the bishop, who protested, to hold his tongue. Von \Dreielit—At Arlon, being drunk, ordered the execution of 117 hostages. Laughed when he was told, on recovering sobriety, that the order had been carried out.

Blegen—Responsible for the destruction ol Dinant and the massacre of more than 600 persons, including 34 old men, 71 women, and 17 children under nine years of age.

Yon Mauteuffel —Ordered the burning of Louvain and the expulsion ot 10,000 civilians from the town.

Von Rodeiski—Gave a formal order that all Cossacks who surrendered should be shot or hanged. Major Vou Bulnw —Author of the destruction of Aerscbot. Ordered

150 civilians to be shot. Compelled | the women of the town to stand by, * with their arms in the air, tor six j hours, witnessing the conflagration. )

Eberlein —Boasted in an article printed in the ‘ Munchuer Neueste Nachrichten ’ that he had compelled civilians to march in front of his men as a screen against the enemy’s fire.