ENEMY WAR CRIMINALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1920, Page 3

ENEMY WAR CRIMINALS.

\l»y Electric Telegraph—Copyright./ trial of war criminals. LONDON, February 17. The Allied Supremo Council has is sued the terms of its areply to the Ger- | man note of the 25tli January, regarding war trials, in which Note Germany j eet out that grave political and economic consequences were likely to arise through a surrender of war criminals. THE COMPROMISE. (Received This Day at 8 a.tii.l PARIS, Feb. IG. The Echo de Paris states that while the trial of the war criminals is definitely held un, it is believed the Powers will permit Germany to try the criminals, reservin'"- the right to take further wen. sure* ,-if the trials are regarded as unsatisfactory.

the war trials. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 17. The Supreme Council in the reply regarding war criminals says this accords with the expressly mentioned provision in Article 228 of the Treaty. The Allies therefore accept the 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 interallied commission to collect evidence, in support of the charge® against the accused. The Powers reserve the right to decide whether Germany’s proposed procedure does not result in accused’s escape of a just punishment in which case they will exercise the full right by submitting the cases to their own tribunals.

TEMPORISING . (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) PARTS, Feb. 15. The “ Journal Debats” says the Al- ™ lies’ Note to Germany does not insist at present on the surrender of the war criminals in view of Germany’s unwillingness,' but declares that anyhow the arraignments by Germany will remain valid. The Allies are apparently deferring decisions until they see whether Germany intends to carry out the declared intention of herself proceeding against theaccusechu^^