THE BLACK LIST.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16046, 10 February 1920, Page 2

THE BLACK LIST.

A WARNING TO GSBHAKT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, February 9. 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. It is rumoured that Germany intends to retaliate for the “Black List” by presenting a list of alleged Allied war crimes, DETERMINED NOT TO COMPLY. BERLIN, February 9. A meeting to discuss the surrender of war criminals, attended by representatives of the navy and army, 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 ignominy in such submission. Independents opposed the suspension of the sitting of the Diet, Herr Hoffman declaring that Germany’s fate must not be endangered for the sake of individuals. This declaration provoked a tumult. The Allegimeine Zitung says: The surrender of the war criminals is a question Tor the whole country to decide. South German States must be asked if they are willing to be the victims of invasion. Herr Schiffer, Minister of Justice, states that Cabinet unanimously decided not to surrender the war criminals. Erzberge states that he is in agreement with the Cabinet as to the impossibility of delivering a single German to the hateful revenge of their adversaries. ALLIES STAND FIRM. LIST TO BE AGAIN PRESENTED. PARIS, February 9. The Council of Ambassadors unanimously decided that the list of German war criminals be again handed to the German Government. It also approved the text of the accompanying Subsequently. Lord Birkenhead stated the Allies are in complete accord on the points that the list bo again presented in Berlin immediately. A later message, dated Bth inst., states it has transpired that the situation which has arisen regarding the Allied list is largely due to misunderstanding. It is understood the French and Belgian portion of the list was not seen in England. Thus there is no question of a British volte face, but of Britain being committed to the lists without seeing them. Happily the visit of the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney-General to Paris resulted in completely clearing up the affair. The British lists remain unaltered. FRANCE TO USE COERCIVE MEASURES. PARIS, February 9. M. Millcrand, in the Chamber, said Germany’s non-delivery . of her quota of coal to January constituted a flagrant failure to carry out the Treaty. The Government would secure its carrying out. If necessary it would have recourse to all military and economic coercive measures. He considered time limits had already expired. The Government received a vote of confidence by 513 votes to 68. CRIMINALS REGARDED AS SACRED. WILL GERMANS GIVE WAY? LONDON, February 8. The Daily Telegraph's Berlin correspondent states that the Germans fury at the Black List is largely due to surprise. They expected the list to be of obscure persons charged with personal guilt. They did not expect the names of popular commanders, least of all Hindenburg, whose position is still unique, he being illogically regarded as the saviour of his country. It is considered profanity even to doubt him. The idea of surrendering Hindeuburg hurts more than all the rest combined. Despite the present turbulence, Germany will -probably cool down, and the Government swallow the bitterest of all Peace pills, but it will trouble the mass of Germans, who lived in war time in a fool’s paradise of official inventions and suppressions, and either did not know of the atrocities committed, or were made believe the Germans acted in self-defence. The majority of the Germans stlil believe that practically all the savagery was on the Allied side. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that Germany is Mill going to pieces, though the speed of her dissolution has latterly been chocked. The Government is already nearly insolvent, and only pays bills by borrowing. Bolshevism is gaining -jinund. The Government is weak and unpopular, but it is the best possible in the circumstances. The only alternatives are a military dictatorship. The Government's position is extremely difficult. It only signed the Peace Treaty because it had no alternative, and it is doubtful if it can fulfil it. Few people were willing to surrender is universal. Forcible arrest of Hindenburg is out of the question. He would be a bold man who would attempt to lay a finger on the national idol. The only persons who could be employed .to arrest the culprits are the police and troops, who arc still under officers of the old army. They are the Government’s main prop against Bolshevism. If an attempt were made to use them, it would be a very severe strain on discipline. It is doubtful if it would be possible to find the culprits if they chose to hide, because they would find innumerable sanctuaries. The only solution appears to be voluntary surrender. Probably the Government will appear to them to surrender on patriotic grounds, because the country is at the Allies’ mercy. Count Bernstorff says he does not see why the French should demand him, unless in connection with the 8010 bribery. He informed the Government that he was prepared to go voluntarily, but was told to await developments. It is understood that Hindenburg is willing, but it is unlikely that many others will volunteer to surrender. A large number, including Ludeudorff and Tirpitz, foregathered at Berlin to discuss concerted action. Yon Bulow says they are acting on principle. No one should surrender voluntarily. It is no dishonour to evade extradition. Ludendorff and Tirpitz are silent. Allied business men state that they receive a frigid reception everywhere. There is “nothing doing” until after the affair has been settled. Most

of the Allied military missions wear mufti. The Government will meet the party executive on '-Saturday to discuss the situation before consulting the National Assembly. Ministers agree that the demands cannot be 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, •tfith the Government passively awaiting consequences. . A naval officer states 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 in the back. They will never surrender, even if Germany is blockaded 1 until the last woman and child are starved. -- At Berlin the Council of Empire endorsed the Government’s viewpoint that the Allies’ demands are impossible of realisation. ? PROPOSED SURRENDER TO SWITZERLAND. GENEVA, February 8. The German Government intends to propose to surrender the war criminals to a Swiss tribunal. PREPARING' POE TROUBLE. BERLIN, February 8. The authorities have reinforced , the guards protecting the foreign missions.