CRIMES TO BE PUNISHED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 3

CRIMES TO BE PUNISHED

GERMAN REPRESSION IN EUROPE DECLARATION MADE BY ALLIED GOVERNMENTS (8.0. W.) RUGBY, January 13. Representatives of the European nations suffering under Nazi oppression met in conference at St, James’s Palace, London, to-day, to place on record their joint condemnation of the reign of terror in German-occupied Europe. The following declaration was made: “Whereas Germany since the beginning of the present conflict, which arises out 'of her policy of aggression, has instituted in the occupied countries a regime of terror characterised in particular by imprisonments, mass expulsions, executions of hostages, and massacres, and whereas these acts of violence are being similarly perpetrated by the allies and associates of the Reich and in certain countries by accomplices of the occupying Power, and whereas international solidarity is necessary in order to avoid the repression of these acts of violence simply by acts of vengeance, on the part of the general public and in order to satisfy the sense of justice of the civilised world, recalling that international law. and in particular The Hague Convention of 1907, regarding the laws and customs of land warfare, do not permit belligerents in occupied countries to perpetrate acts of violence against civilians, to bring into disrepute the laws in force, or to overthrow national institutions, the undersigned representatives of the Governments of Belgium. Czechoslovakia. Greece, Luxembourg. the Netherlands, Norway, Poland.' and Jugoslavia, and the Free French National Committee: “(1) Affirm that the acts of violence thus perpetrated against the civilian populations are at variance with the accepted ideas concerning acts of war and are political offences as these are understood by civilised nations. “(2) Take note of the declaration made in this respect on October 25, 1941, by Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill. . “(3) Place amongst their principal war aims the punishment through the channel of organised justice of those guilty and responsible for these crimes, whether they have executed them, perpetrated them, or in any way participated in them. “(4) Determine in a spirit of- international solidarity to see to it that those guilty or responsible, whatever their nationality, are sought for and handed over to justice and judged, and that sentences pronounced are carried out.” Representatives of Britain, Russia, the United States, and China were present. and took part in the ceremony at the meeting.