GERMAN APOLOGIA FOR WAR CONDUCT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 49, 20 May 1927, Page 11

GERMAN APOLOGIA FOR WAR CONDUCT

REPORT TO REICHSTAG “NOT GUILTY OF CRUELTY” By Cable. — J’rees Association. — Copyright BERLIN 1 , Wednesday. 4 REICHSTAG Committee, after seven years’ investigation into Germany’s conduct in the war, has reported declaring that Germany waged war no more cruelly or severely than her opponents. Reprisals were due to breaches of international law, which suffers from lack of clearness and should be remedied. Dr. Bell, chairman of the committee, speaking in the Reichstag, summarised the conclusions:— Firstly, that unrestricted submarining was justified as a reprisal against the illegal British blockade. Secondly, that the bombing of arsenals and docks in London was justified, but London itself was only bombed at night-time or on Sundays when empty of population. Paris was bombed as a reprisal for the French bombing of non-military towns. Thirdly, that the German gas war was in accordance with international law except for green and yellow gas, which was used only after the French employment of illegal gases. Fourthly, that both sides violated international law regarding prisoners of war, but the prisoners in German camps were treated in accordance with German military law, which was restricted by the British blockade. Fifthly, the minority committee report holds that Germany deliberately violated international law regarding the deportation of 70,000 Belgian workers. Sixthly, that economic war had begun in England where common law does not admit the inviolability of private property in war time. Seventhly, that armed resistance by the Belgian population contravened the Hague Convention. Eighthly, that retreating German armies of destruction in France and Belgium was due to military necessity, although It was no longer provable whether this was so In individual cases.—A. and N.Z.-Sun.