WAR CRIMINALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19869, 10 February 1920, Page 3

WAR CRIMINALS.

GERMANY DEFIANT.

WILL IGNORE BLACK LIST,

By Telegraph—Tr«»s Association—Copyright Australian tntl N.Z. Cable Association.

BERLIN, February G, A meeting to discuss the surrender of vrar criminals was attended by representatives of the Navy and Army. It resolved against compliance with the Allies’ demand. Field-Marshal von Buelow declared that the men enumerated in the Allies’ list only performed their duty to the Fatherland. No German dared incur the ignominy of such submission.

I ho 1 ndopondents opposed the suspension of the sitting, .of the Diet. Herr Hoffmann declaring that Germany’s fate must not he endangered for the sake of individuals.

This declaration provoked a tumult. (Received February 9, 9.50 p.m.) . BERLIN, February 6. Herr Schiller. '.Minister of Justice, slates that the Cabinet lias unanimously decided not to surrender the war criminals.

•The Allegcmeine Zcitung” sgys that the surrender of war criminals is a question ior tho whole countrv to decide. The South German States must he asked if they arc willing to bo victims of invasion. ALLIES’ WARNING. PARIS. February 6. The newspapers state that the Allies’ covering letter warns Germany that if the war criminals are not surrendered the Allies may detach the Rhine provinces as a neutral State. H is rumoured that Germany intends to retaliate for the black list hv presenting a. list of Allied war crimes.

GERMAN FTRY

I.OM>OX. February 6The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent slates that German fury at the black list, is largely due to surprise. J hey expected the list to be of obscure persons charged with personal miilt. they did not expert the names of popular commanders, least of nil that of Himlcnburg. whoso position still is unique, he being illogieally regarded as tho saviour of the country. It conMdcred profanity even to doubt him. Inc idea, of surrendering Iliiidenburg hui ts more than all the rest combined. Despite the present turbulence, Germany probably will cool down and the Government swallow thi's bitterest of nil the peace pills, but it will trouble tho mass of Germans, who lived in a wartime fools 5 paradise of official inventions and suppressions and either did not know of the atrocities committed or were made to Iwlieve that the Germans acted in self-defence. The majority of Germans still believe that practmallv all the savagery was on the .Allies’ side K cannot be too. strongly emphasised that Germany still is going fo pieces, though tho speed of her dissolution latterly has Iwen cheeked. The Government already is nearly insolvent, and only pays Dills by borrowing. Bolshevism is gaining ground- The Government is weak and unpopular, but is the best possible in the circumstances. The only alternatives are a military dictatorship or a proletariat dictatorship, ihe Government’s position is extremely difficult. It only signed the peace treaty because it had no alternative, and it is doubtful if if can fulfil it. Few peonlc were willing to surrender the culprits before the list was known, but now* the outcry against surrender is universal. Iho possible arrest of Ilindenburg is out of the question. Ho would be n "bold man who would attempt to lay a finger on tno national idol. The only persons who could be employed to arrest the culprits are tho police and troop? who still are under officers of the old army, they am the Government’s main prop ■'.gainst Bolshevism. If an attempt should be made to use them it would be tho severest strain on discipline. It is doubtful if it will be possible to find the culprits if they choose to hide, because they could and iaaumorablo sanctuaries. The only solution appears to bo voluntary surrender. Probably the Government will appeal to them to surrender on patriotic grounds, because tho country is at the Allies’ meicy. Demstoff says that lie does not know why the French demand him uness m connection with tho Bob' bribery. He informed tho Government that he was prepared to go voluntarily, but was told to await developments It is understood that Hindonburo- i s willing, but it is unlikely that many others will volunteer to surrender. A number, including Ludendorff and Tupitz, foregathered at Berlin to discuss concerted action. Yon Bn low says they are acting on the principle that'no one should surrender voluntarily and that it is no dishonour to evade' extradition Ludendorff and Tirpits arc silent. Allied business men state, that they receive a frigid reception everywhere. Nothing will be doing until after tlm affair is settled. Most of the Allied military missions wear mufti.

Tile Government will meet the party executives on Saturday to discuss the situation before consulting the National Assembly. Ministers agree that the demands cannot he carried out, because the Government has neither’sufficient force nor authority. They regard it as a, matter of life and death. They do not expect the Allies to make 'concessions. It simply means a deadlock, with the Government passively awaiting consequences.

A naval officer stated that most of tho submarine commanders, anticipating the demand, already have fled, announcing that they will not return to tho Fatherland, whose revolution stabbed thorn in the hack. They will never surrender, oven if Germany is blockaded until the last woman and child is starved.

LISTS TO BE PBFSENTED AGAIN

Router's 'lVoefrivim. PAJUS, February 7

The Council of Ambassadors unanidecided that the list of German war criminals should he again handed to the Gorman Government and also approved the. text of the accompanying Note.

Subsequently Lord Birkenhead stated that tho Allies .arc in complete accord on the point that the list should ho presented in Berlin immediately. A later message, dated February 8, slates that it transpired ‘that the situation which had arisen regarding the Allied list was largely due to misunderstanding. Jt is understood that tho French and Belgian portion of (lie list had not been seen in England. thus there was no question of a British volte face, but of Britain being committed to lists without seeing them. Happily the visit of the Lord Chancellor anil Attorney-General to Paris resulted in completely clearing up the affair. Tho British lists remain unmodified.