LIFE FOR LIFE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 215, 6 October 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

LIFE FOR LIFE.

Lord Robert Cecil's answer to Major Chappie in the House of Commons and Sir Edward Grey's letter to the Amorit an Ambassador agree in a point J supreme importance, says the London "Daily Graphic." Indeed, the letter of the Foreign Secretary shows that the Government have at length reached *. decision on the question of announcing t) the world the determination of the Allies to hold responsible all German officials, whatever their rank or station, for the inhuman deeda committed.by German agents during the war. Sir Edward Grey, it is true, limits the ultimatum to Germany to civilian life lost through insufficient food; but on th'a principle of the greater including the lesser it will not be possible for the Allies to distinguish between murder by starvation and murder by weapons and fire and l other forms of brutality. As it is safe to prophesy that Germany will not agrcv to the terms upon which food is offered for the occupied countries. the definite pronouncement of the Foreign Office will stand on record as part of the punishment to be visited upon the Kaiser and hi's co-crimin-als ere the Allied offensive will cease. This is a precedent of great value n international law. Never before has it bean necessary to threaten a groat nation with such penalties. Germany has only herself to thank for this innovation. It has beten made none too soon, and the Government cannot too quickly indicate that it will apply to ail acts of atrocity. There will then be relief and satisfaction throughout the civilised world that the Allies are definitely committed to this policy of reparation. There, will be every prospect then that the assassin of Edith Cavell, the Moloch who ordered the torpedoing of tlie Lnsitania, and all the other German butchers will one day adorn the only platform they are fit to occupy — t. murderer's scaffold.