ENEMY GRIMES.

Evening Star, Issue 16988, 10 March 1919, Page 2

ENEMY GRIMES.

INVESTIGATION COMPLETE. A DAMNING REPORT. MR MASSEY’S WORK PRAISED. PARIS, March 6. The Commission on Enemy Crimes have practically completed their report. It is -understood that it provides the fullest punishment for atrocities perpetrated against international law. Although it is regarded as impossible to indict the ex-Kaiser for atrocities, it is believed that he will be answerable at trial on a charge of invading Belgium’s neutrality. March 7. Complete documents discovered by the Belgian police have been presented to the Reparation Commission, containing detailed instructions to German troops for the work of destruction in Belgium. 'The Timet.’ LONDON, March 7. The War Responsibility Commission discussed the list of war crimes drawn up under the shrewd chairmanship of Mr Massey, who classified tire crimes under 31 headings. The ‘Daily Mail,’ referring to Mr Massey’s work on the Commission, says the members appreciated his practical views of policy matters, his directness of method, and his shrewd judgment. (Special from the New Zealand Official Correspondent.) LONDON, March 7. The Sub-oommission dealing with facts relating to responsibility lor the war and the violation of the laws of war and the principles of humanity have submit**'! au fctarim. report.

It forms a terrible indictment against tho enemy Powers. Air Massey was chairman of the Sub-commission, and also chairman of the Drafting Committee. The Sub-ccmmission, after eliminating the weak cases, state that facts have been sufficiently established to justify, inter alia, the conclusions that the war was premeditated by the Central Powers, together with Turkey and Bulgaria, and was the result of acts deliberately committed in order to make it unavoidable; also that the war was carried on by tho Central Powers and their allies by barbarous and illegitimate methods in violation of the established laws and customs of war and elementary principles of humanity. The Sub-commission enumerated the enemy’s offences into over 30 separate end distinct groups, which beggar all previous calendars of crime, and have no parallel in history, tho list including massacre, torture, starvation, deportation, brutal internment of civilian®, rape, ab election for enforced prostitution, pillage, wanton destruction of religious and historic buildings and monuments, submarine brutality in connection with merchant, passenger, relief, and hospital ships, abuse of the Red Cross and flags of truce, the use of poisonous gases and explosive bullets, the poisoning of wells, and the illtreatment of prisoners of war. Probably a tribunal will be set up to deal with the offenders, whose names will not in the meantime be published for obvious reasons. Tho facts represent an appalling record. The .'lain Commission have not yet made their final report.

AMERICAN CLAIMS.

Reuter’s Telegrams.

WASHINGTON, March 8,

American citizens have filed claims amounting to £150,000,000 at the State Department against Germany.

CENTRAL EUROPE’S FOOD. MR HOOVER’S NEW TASK. Router’s Telegrams. BERNE, March 6. The Gzecho-Slovak Republic, including Prague, is on the verge of a famine. The staple comestibles are exhausted, and the population cannot hold out until the harvest. Hospital patients at Prague are dying through inattention. PARTS, March 6. The Peace Conference have decided to send a commission to the Adriatic to inquit* into the question of tho detention of food supplies destined for Czecho-Slovakia. The Commission are prepared to send tho necessary labor to prevent further starvation in the interior. PARIS, March 8. Tho War Council nominated Mr Hoover to control the Austrian railways, with a view to general food relief. The United States Government decided to back the British position, granting food and raw material to Germany in order to enable Germany to pay the debts which France imposes.

JAPAN AND CHINA.

Reuter’s Telegrams.

WASHINGTON, March 5. The Japanese and Chinese representatives have issued a statement to the Press agreeing that the League of Nations will settle Oriental problems, but taking contrary views regarding the individual aspirations of their respective countries. The Chinese are reasserting their claims to Kiau Chau, and are denouncing Japan’s 21 demands on China. _ They have openly charged Japan with preventing China from joining in the war in 1914-15.

HOLLAND'S TRANSPORT

FACILITIES. LONDON, March 7. Arrangements have been made with Holland to transport demobilised men of the allied army on the Rhine by water to Rotterdam. The Dutch Government have agreed to allow tho transport of British troops via Rotterdam, on the ground that it will hasten peace. •; The agreement will greatly relieve the congestion on th© railways, and will assist demobilisation.

IN BERLIN.

SPARTACISTS BEATEN

AFTER HEAVY FIGHTING,

Reuter’s Telegrams.

COPENHAGEN, March 6. Thera has been a renewed outbreak of fighting in Berlin, especially in the part fronting the Police Prefecture. The Spartacists 'attempted to demolish the doors with grenades, but they were shot. The Spartacists occupying neighboring buildings began a general firing, and the Government troops energetically replied. A largo body of Spartacists attempted to storm the buildings, but were repulsed by artillery. Detachments of sailors next approached behind barricades, carrying machine guns. Meanwhile the pillaging of shops was renewed. March 8. Sensational messages from Berlin state that the fighting was violent around the police headquarters. The city is in darkness owing to a strike of electricians and gas workers. The cannonade was continued all night long, and a number of people were killed. Government troops, numbering 50,000, then entered and surrounded the centre of the city. LONDON, March 7. A German wireless, message admits that the situation is growing critical. A national marine division, guards, foot guards, and fusilier regiments have joined the revolutionaries. The Government have announced the immediate socialisation of the coal and potash mines, and a Bill for the general socialisation of industries will immediately be introduced in the Assembly. Herr Schcidemann has resigned as Premier and Chancellor, but Herr Ebert (President) has requested him to continue in office. March 8. The fighting in Berlin has ceased. The Government troops occupy all the public buildings and squares. They captured many Spartacists, BERLIN, March 7. The Radical leaders have admitted that the new revolutionary movement in Germany has failed. The Government appear to be master of the situation, and the attempted general strike has not yet materialised.