FOR MAKING WAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1930, 23 January 1919, Page 3

FOR MAKING WAR.

KAISER CANNOT ESCAPE SPONSIBILITY. REPORT OF FRENCH JURISTS. Paris, Jan. 20. An official, bulletin issued by the Peace Conference gives the report upon the Kaiser’s responsibility for the war by the jurists mentioned, namely, AI. Larnande, the doyen of the Faculty of Law, and AI. de Pradelle, Professor of International, Law at the Paris University., The, report states: “The Kaiser is answerable in his own person, both in penal and civil law, for the war and the crimes committed by the armed forces under his command. The Kaiser’s position is similar to that of directors of a public company, who can be punished by criminal Jaw, while the position of the German nation is similar to that of the shareholders, who cannot be punished. The Kaiser cannot escape bis responsibility, because, the German Constitution gives hint alone (lie power of: decision. The German .Sovereign depends solely jipon God and the sword. The Kaiser, in speeches, frequently expressed ibis view of bis authority, and according to Hie Constitution, (lie Kaiser declares war in Hie name of the Confederacy, of which Prussia is (lie dominant partner, and the Kaiser was Hie King of Prussia.” "The jurists quote a letter showing that the Kaiser ordered and desired ferocious methods of warfare. The Kaiser, early in the Avar, wrote to the Emperor of Austria, staling. “Everything must be put to fire and the sword. .Men, Avomen, and children, and old men must lie slaughtered. No house or tree must be left standing. With these methods of terrorism, Avliieh alone are capable, of affecting a people as degenerate at Hie French, (lie Avar wiil be over in two months.” Tim report comments: “Tints Ihe Kaiser incurred a personal penal responsibility, to which must !*> added Hie civil responsibility of the German Empire. Hoili are responsible—Hie Empire at civil law, and the Kaiser at penal and civil law, according to the must elementary rules of rigid. - ’ Finally, the jurists quote Vatlell: ’‘That a prince guilty of an unjn>l war is liable to personal penalties if such are necessary for Hie sake of example, for the security <4 the injured parly, and for Hie security <d' human society.” j Einerieh de Valid was a distinguished Swiss publicist, in Hie diplomatic and polilieal'serviee of Saxony, and was author id.’ the famous “Law of Nations," which was translated hy Chilly.j Paris, Jan. 29. The French jurists presented to the delegates their report on the Kaiser's culpability. After pleading for the Kaiser's extradition and condign punishment, the report adds: “The Kaiser should lie judged by an international court, forming the principal department of the League of Nations.”