THE WAR CRIMES

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14048, 29 April 1919, Page 5

THE WAR CRIMES

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. JAPANESE AND AMERICAN DISSENT. REGARDING PUNISHMENT OF THE GUILTY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) 7 Received April 29, 12.35 a.m. LONDON, April 28. ;. . The Crimes Commission's report 0114 the responsibility of the authors of the c war shows that the American and' Japanese dissented from the other delepates. The Americans disapprove of ' the trial of the ex-Kaiser by an inter-V. national tribunal on moralThey disagree with the whole by which the Commission proposes to punish those guilty of 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, except those whose acts e caused the war and breaches of neu- ; trality, notably the ex-Kaiser, who :> 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 not being essential to the subsequent proceedings. The report recommends two kinds of. , procedure, one enabling any belligerent ... ■ to try in its own country accused per- 1 , sons in its custody. This would en-i able an English Court to try submarhio commanders. The other procedure applies to highly-placed persons and the proposed establishment of an International Court.