DEFIANCE!

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10509, 10 February 1920, Page 5

DEFIANCE!

ALLIES' OEEVIANO GERMANY SHIELDS HER WAR CRIMINALS. UPROAR IN DIET. Bv Telc&raph—Press -As-sn.—Copyrig'h-Australieii aaa" N.2. Cable Association*. (Received February 9, 7.30 p.Hi.) BERLIN, February 6". A meeting to discuss the surrender of the war criminals, which was attended by representatives of the Navy and Army, resolved against compliance with the Allies' demand. Field-Marfihal von Buelow declared that the men enumerated in the Allies' list only performed their duty to tho Fatherhind. So German dared incur tho ignominy of such submission. The Independents opposed the suspension of the sitting of the' Diet, rierr Hoffmann declaring that Germany's- fate must not bo endangered for the sake of individuals. This declaration provoked a- tumult. BERLIN'S DECISION. (Received February 9, 9.20 p.m.) BERLIN, February 6. Horr Schiffer, Minister for Justice, states that Cabinet has unanimously decided not to surrender the war criminals. Australian' and N.2. Ca-oYci Asioc-iatton. (Received February 10, 1.30 a.m.) BERLIN, February 7. Jb'rzberger states that ho is' in agreement with Cabinet as to the impossibility of delivering ;i single German to the "hateful xevenso- of our advefsariesi" BLACK LIST NOT ENFORCEABLE. GERMAN MINISTER'S- OUTBURST. LONDON, February 6. The Gen-nan Minister for Justice states that though Germany has signed the Reaoc Treaty, the black list, as- a- contract, is as much enforceable lis a contract to: climb to tho moon would be. "We shall not send a single" Ge'rm'ari out of Germany for trial by odr enemies."QUESTION FOR COUNTRY TO DECIDE. (Received February 9, 7.30 p.m.) BERLIN, February 6. Tho "Allgemeine Zeitung" says that the surrender of war criminals is it question the whole country should decide. Tile German States must ho asked if they are willing to be victims of invasion. (Received February 9, 11 p.m.) GENEVA, February 6. The German Government intends to propose; the surrender of war criminals to a, Swiss tribunal.

Australian find N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 9, 11 p.m.) BBEON, February 6. The Berlin Council of Empire has endorsed tho Government's viewpoint that the Allies' demands are impossible: of realisation. TALK OF RETALIATION. (Received February 9, S.lo p.m.) PARIS, February 6. Tho newspapers state that the Allies, in a. covering letter, warn Germany that if the war criminals are not surrendered the Allies may detach the Rhine provinces as a neutral State. It/is rumoured that Germany Intends to retaliate for tho black list by presenting a list of alleged Allied war crimes. GERMANS FURIOUS DEFENDING THE POPULAR IDEALS. ALLIES FACED' WITH DIFFICULTIES. Australian and N.Z. Cnbl" (Received February 9, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, February 6. The. "Daily Telegraph's*' Berlin correspondent states that tho German fury at the "Rlack List," is largely duo to surprise. They expected the list to bo of obscure persons charged With personal guilt. They did not expect tho names of popular commanders, least of all Hindonburg, whose position is still unique, ho being ill.ogically regarded as the saviour of tho country. It is considered profanity oven to doubt him. The idea of surrendering Hindcnburg hurts more than nil the rest combined.

Despite itho present turbulence, Germany will probably cool down and the Government swallow this bitterest of all tho l'oaco pills, but it will trouble tho mass of Germans who lived in wartime in a fool's paradise of official inventions and suppressions, and cither did not know of tho atrocities committed, or wore nuulo to believe that the Germans acted in self-defence.

UOUiNTiHT'S riIECMUO'US STATE, 'i'ho majority of Germans still believe that practically all tho savagery was on tho Allies side. It cannot bo too strongly emphasised that Germany is still going to pieces, though tho ppced ot her dissolution -was latterly cheeked. Tho Oovernmcnt is already nearly insolvent, and only pays bills by borrowing. Bolshevism is gaining ground. Tho Government is weak and unpopular, tut is the beat possible in tho circumstances. Tho only alternatives! tiro a military dictatorship or a proletarian dictatorship. Tho Government's position is extremely difficult. It only signed the Poaco Treaty because it had no alternative, and it is doubtful if it can fulfil it.

Few people were willing to surrender tho oulprits beforo tho list was known, but now tho ourtcrv against tho surrender is universal, Tho forciblo arrest of Hindenburg is out of tho question. Ho would be a bold man who would attempt to lay a finger on tho national idol. 'l'ho only persons who could bo employed to arrest tho culprits arc tho police and troops who arc still under officors of tho old army. They are the Government's main prop against Bolshevism. If an attempt ia mado to use them, it will bo tho severest strain on discipline

"ON PATRIOTIC GROUNDS." it is doubtful if it would bo possible to iind tho culprits if they chose to iiide, because thoy could find innumerable -sanctuaries. Tho only solution appears to bo voluntary surrender. Probably the Government will appeal to thorn to surrender on patriotic grounds

because the country is at the Allies' mercy. Bernstorff says ho does not know why tho French demand him, unless it is in connection: with the Bold bribery. Ho informed the Government- he wasprepared to go voluntarily, but was told to await developments. It is understood that Hindenburg is willing, but unlike many others will volunteer' to surrender. A largo number, including Ludendorfr and Tirpitz forgathered at Berlin to discuss concerted action. von iiulow says they are acting on the principle "that no one should surrender voluntarily. It is no dishonour to evade extradition. LIST TO BE 'AGAIN' PRESENTED. ALLIES NOW IN" COMPLETE ACCORD. iieUte'r. (Received February 10, 1.10 a.m.) ■ PARIS, February 7. The Council of Ambassadors has unanimously decided that the list of German war criminals shall <bo again handed to the Gorman Government; also- the approved text -of an accompanying: Note. Subsequently Lord Birkenhead, stated that the Allies are in -complete accord on the- "points that the list should be presented in Berlin immisdiaitely. A later message dated February Bth st.ate.s-: It has transpired t-ha-t the situation which ha* arisen, regarding the Allied lis-t is largely dfte to a m'isun-' dersrtandirig. it is understood tho French and- Belgian portion of the list was not/ seen in England, thus there is no quest-ion of a- British volte- face, but of Britain; being committed to lists without' seeing them. Happily tho visit of the Lord Chancellor and AttorneyGeneral to P.aris resulted in completely clearing, up the affair. The British nats remain unmodified. MISSIONS. (Received February -9, II p.m.) BERLIN, February 6. The authorities have- reinforced the guards who are - frro touting foreign missions'. Jd'AITiER OF""wFE AND DEATH. Ludendorffi and- Tirprbz are silent. Allied business men state that they receive* a frigid reception everywhere. Motiving is doing until after this affair is settled. Most of the Allied military missions wear tmufti. The Government meets the party executives on Saturday to- discuss the sitttatiou befor© consulting tho National Assembly. The" (Ministers agree *hat- tho demands cannot (be carried out because the Government has neither sufficient force or authority. They regard ifc as a matter of life and death. They do not expect the Allies to ffiako concessions. It simply means a deadlock, with the Government passively awaiting the consequences. A naval officer stated-..that most of the submarine commanders, anticipating the demand, have already fled, announcing that they will not return to the Fatherland, whose revolution stabbed them itt tho back. They will never surrender even if Germany is blockaded until the last woman, and, child are starved. TFJftMS - TJNFULML<LEI>. H. MILLERANiD'S PLAIN STATEMENT. Reuter. PARIS, February 6. in a debate in the Chamber of Deputies on the foreign policy of Franco, tho Premier, M. Millerand, said the Cabinet would follow .the Clemencoau Cabinet's policy. Germany had not token steps to deliver the stipulated quantity of coal, and the measures provided in the Peace Treaty would bo adopted to collect this debt. He significantly referred to the clause relating; to extended military occupation where German engagements wero not fulfilled, aad stated the intention to notify Germany that in view of the flagrant non-fulfil-ment of one of the most important obligations (in reference to war criminals), ho would urge the Allies' right to apply economic and financial reprisals where the~ Obligations were wilfully disregarded, and also the right to resort to military coercion. He emphasised the intention of exacting everything that Germany strictly owes under tho Treaty. He stated thtt the Charge d' Affaires in Berlin had notified that the Foreign .Minister expressed regret at von L/crsner's action in refusing to transmit tho black list. That action was purely personal, and ho would be proceeded against by disciplinary measures.

A motion of confidence in the Government iwae adopted by Cl 3 votes to

Tho Premier said tho Allied Conference had decided to do its utmost to Biippoiifc Poland if tho Bolsheviks at. tack tho country. It emphasised that tho arrangement for ahipments of goods to tho Russian co-operative societies will cease it it is discovered that they are employed in equipping tho Red armies. JVI. Millerand vehemently denounced the criminal and loath somo class dictatorship of tho Soviet, which had openly defied its own proclaimed principles.