DUTCH TOLD THEIR DUTY.

Northern Advocate, 20 January 1920, Page 5

DUTCH TOLD THEIR DUTY.

PARIS, Jan. 19

The text of the letter, signed by M. Clemenceau and sent to the Dutch Government, regarding the ex-Kaiser, that the Allies have decided to put into execution the conditions of Article 227 of the Peace Treaty, and consquently address an official demand to the Dutch Government to hand over William Hohenzollern, in order that he may b e sent. for trial.

The letter points out that if the exKaiser had remained in Germany he would , have been handed over by the German Government in accordance with Article 227.

The letter enumerates numerous atrocities committed by the Germans during the war, adding: "For all these acts the responsibility, or at least moral responsibility, lies with the supreme head, who ordered them, or advised his powers to infringe or allow to be infringed, the sacred rules of human conscience. The Allied Powers cannot conceive that the Netherlands Government would regard with less reprobation than themselves the immense responsibility of the ex-Emperor. Holland would not fulfil her international duty if she re fused to associate with other nations in punishing the crimes committed. Article 227 must be carried out without discussion, because it is a question of a high international political act,,rendered necessary by the conscience of the world Powers."

M. Clemenceau states that the powers are convinced that Holland would not wish to cover, by her moral authority, a violation of essential principles of the solidarity of the nations, nor hinder an attempt to pre vent the repetition of a similar catastrophe. The Netherlands and its people) is deeply interested in not giving itself the appearanc e of protecting the chief author by giving him shelter on its territory, and in facilitating a trial demanded by the voice of thousands of victims.—A. and N.Z.