EXTRADITION OF EX-KAISER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15120, 20 January 1920, Page 5

EXTRADITION OF EX-KAISER.

i ALLIED NOTE TO HOLLAND. l lElec. Tel. Copyrishv— United Press A?sn.) (Australian ana N.Z. Cablo Association.) PARIS, Jan. 16. The Premiers have settled the terms on which the request will be made to , Holland for the extradition of the ex- \ Kaiser. (Received Jan. 20, 9.5 a.m.) The Supreme Council has approved of a note to Holland, asking for tho extradition of the ex-Kaiser. Tlie note , Avill probably be sent to-morroAv. THE LETTER TO HOLLAND. (Australian and N.Z. Oftblo Association). (Received Jan. .20, 10.50 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 19. The text of the letter signed by M. Clemenceau and sent to the Dutch Ooj vernment regarding the ex-Kaiser, anj nounces that the Allies have decided to put into execution the conditions of article 227 of the Peace Treaty, and subsequently addresses an official demand to the Dutch Government to hand over William HohenzoUern, m order that ho may be sent for trial. The letter points out that if the Kaiser' had remained m Germany he would have been handed over by the German Government m accordance with- article 227. The letter enumerates numerous atrocities committed by the Germans during the war, adding that for all these acts the responsibility, or at least moral responsibility, lies irith the supreme head who ordered them or advised his oth>ers -to. : - infringe, or allow to be infringed,, the sacred rules of human conscience. Tlie Powers cannot conceive that the Netherlands Government would regard with less reprobation than themseh'es the; immense responsibility of the- exEmperoi*. Holland would not fulfil her international duty is -she refused to associate with the other nations m punishing the crimes committed. Article 227 must be carried out Avithout discussion, because it is a question of a high international political act rendered Inecessary 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 and I solidarity of the nations, or hinder an attempt to prevent : a , repetition of a similar catastrophe. The Netherlands, and its people' are deeply interested m not giving itself the appearance of protecting the chief author by giving him shelter on its territory, arid- m facilitating the trial demanded by tho voice of thousands of victims. t Tlie Government expects the trial of the ex-Kaiser to begin m London m- the NeAv Year and is completing the necessary arrangements.. There lias- been" some • -gossip • because of the: ddlay m formulating the request to the. 1 Dutch - Government -for the surrender of the ex-Emperor. This rests upon a complete misapprehension. It is not 'until tlie' Treaty -of- Peace has been -formally ratified" -that the Allies can make this request. " As' soon 'as that has been done there is, no , room for doubt that a united, request will' be presented to the Dutch , Goverripierit, tljat'Vthe request will be cpmpliejd with, and that the trial _of the ex-Kaiser will take place m , ' London' as .'arranged. N^ limit has been - prescribed for ..the .nature of severity: K>f- 3 the penalty- if, the, ex-Kaiser -.is found guilty, -and, it may be- stated that 'no arrangement- .excluding the death pen-,- i alty has been made. ;::; . ;>--v.":-.'. ■There arc two alternative' indictment*' ; on .which William- 11. can be arraigned before an international tribunal. *• He can be tried the charge. 6fYes.pohlf--' bility for the-Vwar, or •<}&'< Various' charges for breaches ! 'of the laws of war: li is probable,' the ; Daily' '-Oh'ronic.le learn*,' ' mat x the_ Government will proceed \vtth : the latter of these two courses, .and so[ avoid the possibility of ari' 'interminable historical, discussion*, with regard ,»;» thb actual responsibility for 'the "opening ; of , hostilities. ' ■' Holland is' at present de factp . the custodian of . the ex-Kaiser. There -is. no doubt that the legal advj-.. sers of the, Netherlands Governmeiijfc have been consulted on the . : delicate questions involved, , but their findings are not known. Chief among the many difficulties to be guarded -against m th* matter is any appearance of bullying a small and friendly PoAVer, .which would •' naturally be the 'worst possible start-off' "< for the League of Natiohs.