ENEMY WAR CRIMINALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1920, Page 3

ENEMY WAR CRIMINALS.

rßy Electric Telegraph— Cooyright.)

IMPOSSIBLE TO REALISE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, February 7. The Council of the Empire endorsed the Government’s view pointing out that the Allied demands were impossible of realisation. ONE PROPOSAL. 0 (Received This Bay at 8 a.m.) GENEVA, February 6. The German Government intends to propose the surrender of the War Criminals to a Swiss tribunal. BERLIN, February 6. The authorities have reinforced the guards protecting the Foreign Missions. SUPPORTS CABINET (Received this day at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, Feb. 7. J Herr Erzberger states he is in agreement with the Cabinet as to the impos- ■ sibility of delivering’ a isingie German ( to the hateful revenge of their adversaries. NO SURRENDER(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) BERLIN, February 8. All talk of Germans volunteering to surrender to the Entente is over, is belonging to the majority Socialists.

THE ALLIES CLAIM. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.l LONDON, Feb. 7. " Although the latest imcssage from Paris states the Allies have sent the final demand tor the surrender of the war criminals, the Paris and British press is excited regarding Lord Birkenhead’s mission to Paris. It is reported Lord Derby invited the representatives from London to give the British Government’s views. The “Westminister Gazette” says it is now fairly clear that the attitude of Great Britain has been modified and Lord Birkenhead outlined Hon Lloyd George’s altered views. It is believed in some quarters that the Premier considers the list contains too many names and that the demand for their surrender could not be carried out without causing a grave disturbance in Germany. That apart from the ex-Kaiser only those should be demanded against whom conclusive proof of breaches of international law and responsibility for atrocities can be produced.

A DENIAL. (Received this day at 10. Id a.m.) LONDON, February 8

It is denied that Hon. Lloyd George has modified his views regarding .the war criminals. Lord Birkenhead visited Paris to consult the Allies as the French list containing over two hundred and Belgian list over three hundred names of criminals was not previ. ously referred to Britain’ whose list contains one hundred names.

GERMAN ATTITUDE. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.)

BERLIN, Feb. 8

Government is summoning Parliament regarding the surrender demands. Herr Sschiedmann in a letter in the “National Zeitung” says the position is quite clear, since the Government with Parliament’s approbation, signed the peace treaty. They lmd at least tried to fulfil the conditions, but since June bad been convinced that the fulfilment was impossible.

An ex-Bavarian Minister declares that he is well disposed towards the Allies and will not place difficulties in tlie way of the Gorman Government; in connection with handing over the accused.

PARIS, Feb. 7

The Allied Ambassadors in conference decided that tho French Charge d’ Affaires should hand the list of war criminals to the German Government without delay.

COUNCIL’S DECISION. (Rereived This Day at 1.5. p.m.) PARIS, Feb. 7

The Council of Ambassadors unanimously decided that the list of German war criminals be again handed to the German Government. They also approved of the text of the accompanying Note.

Subsequently Lord Birkenhead stated that the Allies are in complete accord on the point that the I is*; he presented in Berlin immediately. A later message, dated the Bth, states it has transpired that the situation which has arisen regarding the Allied list is largely due to a misunderstanding. It is understood the French and Belgian portion of the list was not seen in England. Thus there is no question of a British volte face, hut ot (Britain being committed to the lists without seeing them. Happily the visß of the Lord Chancellor and AttorneyGenoral to Paris resulted in completely clearing up the affair. The British lists remain unmodified.

further GERMAN COMMENT.

(Received this day at 1-30 p.m.) LONDON, February 6. An examination of the Franeo-Bel-gian demand for the surrender of Germans ; show that every German commander on the west front, except General von Sterrigen, is included in the liS The “Tageblatt” declares that the Grand Duke of Hesse’s arraignment j H particularly mysterious, as he paid only one visit to the war zone. Von Haesler, whom France demands was a mere visitor to the Crown Prince’s headquarters; anyhow he is dead. Also von Buelow further stated that a meeting of the highest officers of the German Army and Navy decided against any voluntary surrender, and that there is nothing dishonourable in avoiding arrest. BERLIN, February 6. According to a sfemi-official statement Government intends to 1 emulate the Roman senators awaiting the arrval of the Gauls and wj|tb folded arms allow events to take their course. Government is willing to hand over the “Wanteds” to any neutral.