WAR CRIMINALS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16044, 7 February 1920, Page 5

WAR CRIMINALS.

DIVERGENCE OF OPINION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Received February 7, 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 5. There is a wide divergence of Allied opinion regarding the demands for German war criminals. Japan refused to identify herself with any attempt to obtain extraditions, and America refuses to participate until the Senate has ratified the Peace Treaty. Italy has forwarded only 29 names, even these being sent lukewarmly and hesitatingly. Belgium supplied 334 names, Poland 57, Roumania 42, and Serbia 4. The balance comprise; France 335, Britain 87 (mostly submariners). GERMAN OPINION. PROTESTS, WAILINGS AND THREATS., Received February 7, 12.30 p.m. BERLIN, Feb. 5. The reception of the “black list” has produced a crescendo of protests, wailings and threats. The general opinion is that the Government will go to pieces if it agrees to the Allies’ demands, and it is difficult to see where a new Government would come from. A Conservative Government would mean defiance, re-opening war with the working class, and revolt within the country, whilst an Extreme Left Government "would mean a Soviet regime aud civil war.

Vorwaerts declares that an overwhelming majority oppose the handing over of those wanted. Tageblatt holds that the surrender of Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria is impossible. He is the idol of Southern Germany, and his name is in many men’s mouths as the future monarch of Germany, Reich correspondents say that voluntary surrenders are most unlikely .

Noske, in a violent interview with the Daily Mail correspondent, declared that the Allies’ vengeance outdid Shylock. He would not order soldiers to arrest those wanted because the trains conveying them to the frontier would never get there.