WAR OFFENDERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 7

WAR OFFENDERS.

TRIAL ADVOCATED. <A ; A N.Z.) LONDON, April 28. The Crimes Commission's report on the responsibility of the authors of the war shows that the American and Japanese members dissented from the other delegates. The Americans disapprove of the trial of the ex-Kaiser by an international tribunal on moral charges, and they disagree with the whole methods by which the Commission proposes to punish those guilty for plotting the war. They also protest against the Commission including in the scope of its inquiry breaches of the laws of humanity. The majority report recommends the trial of all responsible for breaches of the customs of war and the laws of humanity, but those whose acts caused the war and breaches of neutrality, notably the ex-Kaiser* should not be tried, but should be formally condemned by the conference. It is pointed out that the sole duty of the conference is to find a true bill. Unanimity is not essential to the subsequent proceedings. The report recommends two kinds of procedure, one enabling any belligerent to try in its own courts any accused persons in its custody. This would enable an English court to try submarine commanders.