The Black List.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 46, 6 February 1920, Page 5

The Black List.

TELEGRAPHED TO BERLIN. GERMANY’S”ELESPONBIBILITLEB. REMAIN UNALTERED. BY VON LERSNER’S ACT. I* CsHa. Prs— AaaoetaUM.—Cowrixte.) Paris Feb. 4. Von Leraner declares that be would not accept the responsibility for transmitting the list of Germain, wanted for trial, and doubted if any German would do so. He acted on his own initiative and the Governiu«ut had nothing to do with his action. The Council of Ambassadors haa decided to immediately telegraph the black list of war criminals with a covering letter to the Berlin Jegati<ms, by which it will be handed direct to the German Government. The Allies take a grave view of Vuo Lersner’s action, and are inclined to regard it is an attempt on Germany's part to escape the treaty obligations. Germany will be informed that Von Lersner's resignation does not affect the country's responsibilities. Failure to comply with the Allied demands will involve serious peril. LERSNER’S EXPLANATION. Paris, Feb. 3. Von Lersner, in a letter to XI. Millerand (French Premier) points out that he explained ten times m writing and thirteen times verbally why it is impossible to deliver up war criminals. He returns the nsi because he could not be instrumental in assisting extradition. Berlin reports the acceptance of Von Lersner's resignation. It >s understood Herr Meyer, Charge d’ Affaires, has been sent back to Paris. The Berlin press reports that Von Leruner haa resigned despite Government orders to accept the hst of war criminals. It is understood the list includes Elsie Schemer, charged with cruelty to women prisoners. Britain demands the surrender of 90 persons, France 334 and Belgium 334. GERMANY INSISTS ON TRIAL BY GERMAN TRIBUNAL WITH ALLIED-REPRESENT-ATION. (Received 6, 10.53 a.m.) London, Feb. 5. The English list of war criminate contains the names of those responsible for tha Armenian outrages. After a lengthy conference between Herr Bauer (Premier) and Herr Mueller (Foreign Minister) the Government considered the question, and decided to insist upon the note of January 25th, offering to try the criminals before the highest German tribunal, at which the Allies would have the fullest representation. Considerable excitement prevails in Berlin. Paris newspapers generally think that the abrogation of the chief moral clause in the Treaty will be a great victory for German Monarchists, and it also will mean tnat international justice died before its real birth. Socialist newspapers fear the enforcement of the surrender, winch will engender internal hatred and a policy of vengeance, without material advantage to us, and will pave the way for fresh wars.—(A. and N.Z.) H‘JN CABINET'S IMPASSE. WORST ANTICIPATIONS EXCEEDED. LIST TOO~COMPLETE. (Received 6, 11.25 am.) Berim, Feb. 5. Cabinet has decided that *t is a physical impossibility to surrender the alleged criminals. The list exceeds Germany’s worst anticipations as it contains the names of almost every man prominent during the war, from Belhxnann-HoUweg (ex-Cban-cellor) and the Chief of the General Staff downwards, and almost every prominent field commander. Belgium demands Hollweg and England demands von Capelle and Enver Pasha. France demands Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria. Often the same name occurs in the separate Allied lists. Among the names are the Crown Prince and Princes Eitel. Oscar and Friedrich, the Dukes of XV urtemberg and Mecklenburg; Admirals Tiruitz. von Echeer and Trot ha Counts Bismarck, Bernstvrff and Hasseler; Field Marshal von Hindenburg; Generals Ludendorff, Falkenhayn, Mackensen, von Arnim. MoKke. . von Marwitz. von Beseler von Gallwitz and Talaat Paaha. It is feared the Government will fall if it endeavours to comply with the Allies’ demand, and it is unlikely that any other party would form a Government, or be willing to bear the odium attaching to the surrender. —(A. and N.Z.) PLEBISCITE IN GERMANY. REGARDING SURRENDER OF CRIMINALS. Paris, Feb. 4. “Le Matin’s” Berlin correspondent states that it is rumoured tfie Government will ask the National Assembly to take a plebiscite authorising the abrogation of the article in the constitution prohibiting the hiding over of German citizens to a foreign Power for trial. It w believed the great- mass of the people are indifferent and will abstain from voting. ISLAND FOR WILHELM. WHAT HOLLAND MUST DO. Loudon, Feb, 5. Sir Auckland Geddis. speaking at Andover, said the Government intended to get the ex-Kaiser out of Holland. If on the basis of International law Holland said “No,” and that she intended to provide him with an asylum, then we must say be could not live in Europe, aud that Holland must put the exKaiser on one of her islands outside Europe.—(A. and N.Z$ GERMAN COAL DELIVERIES. COERCIVE MEASURES. FAVOURED BY”MILLERAND Paris, Feb. 5. M. Millerand announced that the Government favoured occupation of further territory, unless the Germans carried out their coal deliveries.—(A. and N.Z)