ENEMY WAR CRIMINALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1920, Page 2

ENEMY WAR CRIMINALS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

GERMAN ATTITUDE,

BERLIN, February 6

The “Allegemeine Zeitung” says that the surrender of Germans as war criminals is a question for the whole country to decide. The South German States must be asked if they are willing to be the victims of an invasion. PARIS, February 6.

Tlie newspapers state the Allies in a covering letter have warned Germany that if those asked as war criminals arc not surrendered the Allies may detach the Rhine provinces from Germany as a neutral State. GERMANS RETALIATE. PARIS, February 6. It is rumoured Germany intends to retaliate for the black list by presenting a list of the Allied war crimes. BERLIN, February 7. - A meeting to discuss the surrender - of war criminals which was attended by representatives of the Navy and Army, resolved against a compliance with the AHios’ demands. Field-Marshal, von Buelow declared that the men enumerated in the Allies’ list bad only performed their duty to the Fatherland. No German dared incur the ignominy of such submission. The Independents opposed a suspension of the sitting of the Diet, Hoffman declaring that Germany’s fate must not be endangered For the sake of individuals.

This declaration provoked tumult,

GREAT GERMAN FURY. THE BITTEREST OF PILLS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 6. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent states the German fury at the “Black List” i s largely due to surprise. They expected the list to be of obscure persons, charged with personal guilt. They did not expect the names of popular commanders, least of all General Hindenburg, whose position is still unique, lie being illogieally regarded as the Saviour of the country. It is considered a profanity, even to doubt him. The idea of surrendering him hurtfs more than all the rest combined. Despite the presence of turbulence, Germany "'ill probably cool down and the Government will swallow this, the bitterest of all the peace pills, but it will trouble the mass of Germans who lived in a war time fool’s paradise of official inventions and suppresisons and either did not know of the atrocities committed, or were made to believe the Germans acted in self defence. A majority of the Germans still believe that practically all the savagery was on the Allies side. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that Germany is 'still going to pieces, though the speed of her dissolution latterly has been checked. The Government already is nearly insolvent, and only pays bills by borrowing, Bolshevism is gaining ground, and the Government is weak and unpopular, but it is the best possible in the circumstances. The only alternatives are a military dictatorship or proletariat dictatorship. Government’s position is extremely difficult. It oniy signed tlie Peace Treaty because it had no alternative’, and it is doubtful if it can fulfil it.

Few people were willing to surrender the culprits before the list was known, but now the outcry against the surrender is universal and forcible. The arrest of General Hindenburg is out of the question. He would be a bold man who attempted" to lay a finger on the national idol. The only persons "’ho could be employed to arrest the culprits are the police and troops who are still under officers of the old army. They are the Government’s main prop against Bolshevism. If an attempt were made to use them, it would be the severest strain on their discipline, and it is doubtful if it would be possible to find the culprits if they chose to bide, because they would find innumerable sanctuaries. The only solution appears to be a voluntary surrender. Probably the Government will appeal to them to surrender on patriotic grounds, because the country is at tile Allies mercy. Count Bernstorff isays he does not know why the French demand him, unless in connection with the Bo]o bribery. He informed the Government that lie is prepared to go voluntarily, but was told to aw,ait developments. It is understood General Hjndenburg is willing, but it is unlikely that many of the others will volunteer to surrender.

Large numbers, including General Liidendorff, and Admiral Tirpitz foregathered at Berlin to discuss concerted action.

Count von Bulow says they are acting on the principle that no one should surrender voluntarily. General Liidendorff and Admiral Tirpitz are silent.

Allied business men state they receive a frigid reception everywhere, and nothing will be doing until after the affair is settled. Most of the Allied military Mission were in mufti. Government meet the party executives on Saturday to discuss the situation before consulting the National Assembly.

The Minister agrees that the demands cannot bo carried out, because

Government ha® neither a sufficient force or authority. They regard it as a matter of life and death. They do not expect the Allies to make concessions. It simply means a deadlock with the Government passively awaiting the consequences. Naval officers state that most of the submarine commanders, anticipating the demand, hare -already fled the country. They - will not return to the Fatherland, whose revolutions stabbed them in the back. They will never surrender, even if Germany is blockaded until the last woman and child is starved.