MAXIMILIAN HARDEN'S VIEW

Taihape Daily Times, 15 April 1919, Page 3

MAXIMILIAN HARDEN'S VIEW

Maximilian Harden has been telling a newspaper interviewer that, in his judgment, the Allies will make a mistake if they demand the extradition of the ex-Kaiser. “The ex-Kaiser’s present punishment,” he remarked “is as cruel as his Avorst enemies could desire. He should not be made a martyr. Further, in a question such as the responsibility for the war, it is very difficult to establish sufficiently precise facts to obtain a conviction. It is the 30 years of the reign of William 11. which carry the responsibility for the Avar. It is the teaching which has poisoned the youth; it is the spirit of militarism that has boon soaked into the people. The Kaiser in the end was drawn into it himself —perhaps against his OAvn sentiments. He was not warlike, ho was not even courageous, and I know that he had a struggle to conquer his personal resistance before he could be brought to sign the mobilisation decree. But once in the wars it was he who kept alive the national hatred, it was he who authorised the methods of Avar for which the world Avill never pardon us. Believe me, it is terribly painful for me to have to admit this.”