ALLIES’ REPLY TO DUTCH NOTE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1920, Page 2

ALLIES’ REPLY TO DUTCH NOTE.

(liy Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

A NEW SITUATION

LONDON, February Id

The dramatic decisions by the Allied Conference at London last week concerning the fate of the ex-Kaisei, and the German war criminals, also the fate of Constantinople, and now followed by President Wilson’s bombshell, which threatens to destroy the proposed Jugo-Slav settlement, have stirred the whole world deeply. These events are regarded in some quarters , as indicating that revisions of the Trea. > ty of Versailles may eventually be ne- j cessary. . ' , President Wilson’s note is described by his intimates at Washington as in- . dicative of, a recovery of the President’s vigour, and of a determination to again actively intervene in affairs. It is understood that President V ilson’s Note is a long document comprising eight type written pages. It is addressed to the Anglo-French Governments, but not to the Italian Government. President Wilson examines the differences between the memorandum of the 9th of December, to which be agreed, and then the Paris compromise of the 20th' January. He declares that if this compromise is adhered to, then te United States might be obliged to withdraw from the Treaty of Versailles. The nature of the Allied reply to (President Wilson’s memorandum has not been disclosed. The reply is known however to be an uncompromising reprisal. It emphasises that there is a complete agreement between Britain, France and Italy, not merely on the subject of the Adriatic compromise with Italy, but on all other conference matters.

A STINGING ANSWER. AN ALTERNATIVE LOOPHOLE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 17. The Powers in their reply to the Netherlands Government Note in re-, gard to the ex-Kaiser, points out the immense sacrifices they made in the general interests during the war, which entitle them to ask for the reconsideration of the refusal for the extradition based on the weighty but entirely personal consideration of a State which held aloof from the war and cannot perhaps appreciate quite accurately all the present duties and dangers of the present hour. The Powers emphasise the gravest political effects to which a relinquishment of the claims of justice against the ex-Emperor will give rise to and renew their demand. They point out their request does not depend on Dutch municipal law where no question of prestige is at stake. The Powers pay as much attention to the conscientious sentiments of the State with a limit, ed interests as to the mature decision of the Great Powers. It was contemplated that the trial would prepare the way for a. World Tribunal competent to examine the international crimes and demonstrate the unanimity of feeling animating the conscience of all nations. The Associated Powers point out the Netherlands Government apparently does not consider it shares with the other civilised nations the duty of securing punishment for the crimes which William of Hohenzollern undoubtedly bears heavy responsibility for.

They then dwell on the influential land representative ehadacter of the Note demanding the surrender and say surely the Netherlands has not forgotten the policy, and the persona! action of the man required for judgment, action which cost the lives of approximately ten million persons—murdered in the prime of life—and responsible for the mutilation and shattered health of thrice that number. The devastation and destruction of millions of square miles of territory in countries formally industrious, peaceable and happy and piling up war debts running into billions of which the victims are those who defended their own freedom and incidentally that of Holland. The association of the economic and social, existence of nations was thrown into confusion and is now • jeopardised by famine and want, all of which are the terrible results of the war of which William II is the author. The Allies cannot conceal their surprise at not finding in the Dutch reply a single word of disapproval of the crimes committed by the Emperor—crimes which are an outrage of the most elementary sentiments of humanity and civilisation, and of which in particular so many of the Dutch nation themselves have been innocent victims on the high seas. The reply refers to the reactionary manifestations which will follow on Holland’s refusal and the dangerous encouragement given to opponents of a just chastisement of culprits, whatever their social positions. It may be the associated Powers may remind Holland that if she persists in the refusal she must assume the direct re. sponsibilitv for sheltering a criminal, and for that propaganda so dangerous to E'urope and the whole world. It is indisputable that the permanent presence of the ex-Emperor under faulty ineffectual supervision, at a few kilometres from the German frontier, where lie continues the centre of active and increasing intrigue, constitutes for the Powers that made superhuman sacrifices to (b i i.'oy this mortal danger, a menace they cannot be called on to accept.

The associated Powers declare that the rights they possess in virtue of the most express principle of the law of nations, entitle them, and it may be [ their duty, to take such measures as I are required for their own safety. The Powers cannot conceal the painful impression made by Holland’s refusal to hand over the ex-Emperor without considering the possibility or reconciling Holland’s' scruples with effectual precautionary measures, either on the spot or by holding the Emperor at a distance from the scene of his crimes, making it impossible for him to exert a disastrous influence in Germany in future. Such a. proposal would not fully correspond with the Powers request but would at least afford proof of the feelings which Holalnd must possess. The Powers urge upon Holland in the most solemn and pressing manner the

—s importance of attaching to the fresli consideration of request, and emphasise how grave'the situation might be come if Holland were not in a position to give those assurances which the safety of Europe imperatively demands. t HOLLAND ADAMANT. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) HAGUE, February 17. Holland has decided, according to the press, to adhere*to the refusal to give up the ex-Kaiser.