GERMAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1927, Page 2

GERMAN NEWS.

J Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.)

A REICHSTAG REPORT. BERLIN, May IP,

The Reichstag Committee after seven years’ investigation into Germany’s conduct during the war, reported, declaring Germany waged war no more cruelly or severely than her opponents. Reprisals were due to breaches of tlie International Law, which suffers from lack of clearness and should be reme died.

Doctor Bell (Chairman) speaking in tlie Reichstag summarised the conclusions:—Firstly, that unrestricted submarining was justified as a reprisal against the illegal British blockade. Secondly, bombing of arsenals and docks in London was justified, but London itself only was bombed at night time or on Sundays, when empty of population. Paris was bombed as a reprisal for the French bombing nonmilitary towns. Thirdly, the Gorman gas war was in accordance with the international law. except the green and yellow gas used only after the French employment of Illegal gases. Fourthly, both sides violated the international law regarding prisoners, but prisoners in German camps were treated in accordance with the German law restricted bv the British blockade. FilTi.ly, the Minority Committee’s report holds that Germany deliberately violated the international law regarding the deportation of 70,000 Belgian workers. Sixthly, economic war was begun in England where the common law does not admit the inviolabil- I itv of private property in war time. j Seventhly, armed resistance by the Belgian 'population contravened the Hague Convention. Eighthly, the retreating German armies destruction in France and Belgium was due to military necessity, although no longer probable whether this is so in individual eases.

RUNAWAY TRAMCAR. BERLIN. May 19. A boy tampered with the break of a crowded tramcar at Cassel in the absence of the driver. This resulted in the car dashing down a bill and crashing into some iron scaffolding. It then over-turned in a ditch, burying the passengers. Nine persons, including six women, were killed, eleven were seriously injured. and many were slightly injured.