THE BLACK LIST.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1920, Page 5

THE BLACK LIST.

GERMANY'S REFUSAL. TRIAL IN GERMANY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 17, 11.45 p.m. • London, Feb. 17. The Supreme Council has issued a reply to the German N.ote of January 25th, which set out grave political and economic consequences likely to arise through the surrender of war criminals. The Note refers to Germany's declaration of her inability to carry out the Pea<>e Treaty in regard to the surrenders. They accordingly reserve power to employ rights which the Treaty accords: The Allies note the German offer to immediately open penal proceedings before the Supreme Court at Leipzig against ail these whose extradition! has been requested: also undertaking' that the Court will bs under mos*: complete guarantees, and not affected by other German judgments or court practice. The Supreme Council points out that the offer accords with the expressly mentioned provision in Article 228 of the Treaty. The Allies, therefore, accept the offer, but reserve the right to decide by the results, and whether Germany acts in good faith and associates herself in punishing the crimes committed.

The Allies, however, intend to appoint a mixed inter-Allied Commission to collect evidence in support of the charges against the accused- The Powers reserve the right to decide whether Germany's proposed procedure does not result in the accuseds' escape from just punishment, in which case thev. will exercise their full rights by submitting the cases to their own tribunals.—Aus -N.Z. Cable Assn.

TRIAL OF EX-KAISER. NEW EXTRADITION DEMAND. Received Feb. 18, 12.45 a.m. London, Feb. 17. The Powers, in their reply to the Netherlands Government's Note in regard to the ox-Kaiser, point out the immense sacrifices they made in the general interest during the war, which entitle them to ask for a reconsideration of the refusal for extradition, based On weighty, but entirely personal, considerations of a State which held'-aloof' from the war, and cannot perhaps appreciate quite accurately all the present duties and dangers of the present hour.

The Powers emphasise the gravest political effects to which a relinquishment of the claims of justice against the ex-Emperor will give rise, and renew their demand. They point cut their request does not depend;on Dutch municipal law. There is no question of prestige at stake. The Powers pay as much heed to the conscientious sentiments of a State with limited interests, as the mature decision of the great Powers. It was contemplated the tral would prepare the way for a'world tribunal. competent to examine international crimes, and demonstrate a unanimity of feeling animating the conscience of all nations. WILLIAM'S BAD RECORD. The Powers point* out that the Netherlands Government apparently does not consider it shares with other civilised nations the duty or securing the punishment of crimes, for which William of Hohenzollern undoubtedly bears a heavy responsibility. They then dwell on the influential and representauve character of the Note demanding his surrender. The Note cdd3: "Surely the Netherlands have not forgotten the policy and the personal action of the man required for judgment; the cost of the lives of approximately ten million persons murdered in the prime of life; responsible for the mutilation and shattered health of thrice that number; the devastation and destruction of millions of fquare miles of territory in Countries formerly industrious, peaceable, and happy; the piling up of war debts running into billions, of which the victims are the men who defended their freedom, and incidentally, Holland's own economic and social existence.

'•The nations thrown into the confusion are now jeopardised bv famine and want, all of .which are the. terrible results of the war. of which William the Second was the author. The Allies cannot conceal their surprise at." not finding in the Dutch replv a single word of disapproval of the crimes committed 'bv the ex-Emperor, crimes which outrage the most elementarr sentiments of hyinanity and civilisation, and of which in particular, so many of the Dutch' nation themselves have been innocent victims on the high seas " FUTURE DAGGERS.

The reply refers to the reactionary mamtestiirioiM which i<.;„.. V f.rl on Hollands refusal, and. the dangerous encouragement given to -opponents of the just chastisement of culprits, whatever their social position may be. The Powers remind Holland that if she persists in refusal she must assume a direct responsibility for sheltering a criminal so dangerous to Europe and the whole world. It is indisputable the permanent presence of the ex-Emperor under a fatally ineffectual supervision! and at a few kilometres from the German frontier, where he continues to be the centre of active and increasing intrigue, constitutes for the Powers "that made superhuman sacrifices to destroy this mortal danger, a menace they cannot be called on to accept. The Powers declare that the rights they possess in virtue of the most express principle of -.ha law of nations entitle them, and make it their duty, to take such measures as required for'their own safety The Powers cannot conceal the painful impression made by Holland's refusal to hand over tiir ex-Emperor without considering the possibility of reconciling Holland's scrinhs witii effectual precautionary measures either on th'i spot or holding the ex-Emperor at a distance from the scene of his crimes, making it impossible for him to txert a disastrous influence in Germany in future- '.

Such a proposal would not fully correspond with the Powers' request, but would at least afford proof of the feelings which Holland must possess. The Powers urge Holland in a most solemn and pressing manner the importance attaehing to fresh consideration cf the request, and emphasise how grave the situation might become if Holland were not in a position to give those assurances which the safety of Europe imperatively demands.—A.us.-N,Z. Cable As/sn*