GERMAN GUILT IN THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1919, Page 8

GERMAN GUILT IN THE WAR.

FIXING BLAME ON THE OFFENDERS In ft written answer to a recent question' in the House of Commons by Colonel Sir Hainar Greenwood, the AttorneyGeneral stated: I have been authorised by the War Cabinet to appoint a committee to inquire into and report upon the following: (1) The facts as to breaches of the laws and customs of war, affecting members of the British armed forces or other British subjects, committed by the forces of the German Empire or their allies 011 land, on sea, and in the air during the present war. (2) The degree of responsibility for these offences attaching to particular members of the German or other enemy forces, including the German or other enemy General Staff, or other highlyplaced individuals. (3) The constitution and procedure of a tribunal appropriate to the trial of these offences.

(4) Any other matters cognate or ancillary to the above which may arise in the course of the inquiry and which the committee finds it useful and relevant to take into consideration.

With the approval of the War Cabinet the committee has been constituted as follows:

Chairman, Sir John Maedonell; vicechairman, Professor J. 11. Morgan; Sir Frederick Pollock, Sir E. M. Pollock, K.C., M.P., Sir Alfred Ilopkinson,' K.C., Sir John Butcher, K.C., M.P., C. P. Gill, K.C., H. P. Manisty, K.C., C. A. Russell, K.C., Dr. A. Pearce Higgins. Representatives of the War Office: Brigadier-General G. K. Cockerill and Captain Morgan; of the Foreign 'Office, Mr. C. J. B. Hurst,, ICC.; of the Prisoners of War Committee, Sir Reginald Acland, K.C.; of the Foreign Claims Office, Mr. Justice Peterson; of the Admiralty, Rear-Admiral Sir Reginald Hall, Captain V. Brandon, R.N., T. W. H. Inskip, K.C. Secretaries: Mr. Hugh L. Bellot and Mr. J. E. C. de Montmorency,

Tlio committee will act in consultation with the law officers, and will establish liaison with similar committees sec up in allied countries. The first meeting of the committee was held on Wednesday, and was addressed by the Attorney-General, who said Germany had challenged international law.

He was authorised to state to the committee that it was the intention of the Government to give tliem any assistance and any facilities which might be required. Expedition was of great importance, and at least a preliminary recommendation might prove very valuable.