"GUILTY."

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16751, 5 January 1915, Page 9

"GUILTY."

TRIAL BEFORE COURT OF CIVILISATION.

EMINENT LAWYER'S VIEW,

If tho evidence submitted by the official " White," ' Orange " and "Grey" Books of the nations at war were analysed as a lawyer analyses the evidence in his cases, who would be found responsible for the European war?

This evidence was submitted: to Mr James Beck, formerly Assistant-Attor-ney-General of the United States, and a leader of the New York Bar, by the Philadelphia " Publio Ledger. Mr Book argued the case "in the Supreme Court of Civilisation" in a masterly analysis extending over twelve columns of the "Publio Ledger," and in conclusion says.—These are the facts as shown by the record', and upon them, in my judgment, an impartial court would not hesitate to pass the following judgment:— I—That Germany and Austria in a time of profound peace secretly concerted together to impose their will . upon Europe and upon Sorvia in. a matter affecting the balance of power in Europe. Whether in so doing they intended to precipitate a European war to determine- the mastery of Europe is not satisfactorily established, although their whole course of conduct suggests this as a possibility. They made war almost inevitable by (a) issuing an ultimatum that was grossly unreasonable and disproportionate to any gr-ievance that Austria had and (b) in giving to Servia, and Europe, insufficient; time to consider the rights and obligations of all interested nations. 2—That Germany had at all times the power to compel Austria to preserve a reasonable and conciliatory course, but at no time effectively exerted that influence. On tho contrary, she certainly abetted', and possibly instigated, Austria in its unreasonable course.

3—That England, France, Italy and Russia at all times sincerely worked for peace, and for this purpose not only overlooked the original misconduct of Austria but made

every reasonable concession in the hope of preserving peace. 4—That Austria, having mobilised

its army, Russia was reasonably justified in mobilising its forces. Such act of mobilisation was the- right of any sovereign State, and as long as

the Russian armies did not cross the border or take any aggressivo action no other nation had any just right to complain, each having the same right to make similar preparations. o—That Germany, in abruptly de- , during wnr against Russia for failure to demobilise when the others Powers had offered to make .any reasonable concession and peace parleys were still in progress, precipitated tho war. Mr Beck adds tliat he has readied these conclusions with reluctance, as he has n feeling of deep affection for the German people. The Supreme Court, of Civilisation should' distinguish between the military caste headed by tho Kaiser and the Crown Princo which precipitated this great calamity and the German people.