WAR CRIMINALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18334, 17 February 1920, Page 5

WAR CRIMINALS.

ALLIES WAIVE CLAIM. By Telegraph—Pros* Association—CopyrlfM Australian and N.Z. ,0abl« Association. (Received February 16, 9.85 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. The Allies have waived the claim for surrender of war criminals, leaving the German Supreme Court at Leipzig to judge tiie crimes. WARNING AGAINST COMPROMISE. United Servioe. LONDON, February 13. The Berlin correspondent of the "Guardian" states that, under the influence of Herr Noske, the German refusal to surrender the war criminals is stiffening the Government, which shows itself weak and treacherous, and has allowed the Noskeites to stampede the position. Militarists, like everyone else in Germany, foresee a national collapse under the weight of the Treaty, and say: "If it must come, it would be better now. Let us, at least, have national honour." The correspondent adds thai if the Allies compromise over the war criminals question, later crises will see, the Germans adopting a similar attitude until the enforcement of the Treaty would be impossible. The German workers are unwilling to shield the criminals, but are largely apathetic. GERMANY'S COUNTER LISTS. * "The Times" Service. BERLIN, February 15. The Cabinet has decided to consult the National Assembly before replying to the Allied demand for war criminals. The Conservatives, fearing that the Government is inclining towards a compromise, are clamorously demanding the speeding up of the publication of the German counter lists. They hope to create a deadlock by making the trial of the Germans dependent on the trial of those seleoted as Allies' offenders.