The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-04

Some Few Of the COuuts la the Prussian Mill
itnry Indictment.
The extreme military action OF the German au-
thOrities In holding French prisoners liable to pun
ishment for the acts OF Frencnwen-whether the
prisoners De the guilty parties or not-against SOL
dIers OF the Prussan army Of occupation In France
is exceedingly severe and little In accordance
with the spirit OF the present age, particularly after
the announcement OF peace, that 1t requires some
explanation. The Prussians attempt to justify their
course by reference TO the records Of the War ONCE
In Berlin on which are inscribed the following
cases or French outrage supplied by their officers
serving in the hostaged territory OF the republic.
The statements which we append In brief ere
given in erterSo In Berlin, as 1Ollows:-
Aworking gardener called Louis Berth has APP
peared before the assze-cour OF Melun. This indi-
vldual, In the month OF August last-0ng AFTER the
war had ceased-attempted, according to mis- own
confession, TO assasslnate the Prusslan under0icer
tins master, was seated under tree reading. Ber-
tin believing as he relates, that Kraft was
behind struck him Violent no DlU%s
on the tho mead ,n win ,s noe IA; kra tried
persuaded tnat he had Killed the Prussan, hid him.
self in sewer and finally escaped to Paris. KRAFT
has recovered from his wounds but remains mutt
lated. The Prusslan military authorities demanded
the extradtion OF the maleact0r; this the Partisan
authorities refused but gave formal promise that
the would-be murderer should not escape punish
ment. Berlin himself does moi deny the aggravating
circumstances OF hts crime. When the President
asked hun If he had on for personally hating
the under officer Kraft he replied:-"NOne. had
great hatred TO the Prasslans: when 1 saw Kraft
near me this hatred was aroused, and determined
to kill him." The public prosecutor did all he could
to Obtain from the jury verdict Of guilty ns
ISM" he said, 'had made him incapable OF dis.
ceased to be an enemy;' hence he commended,
mBertln could not be considered as criminal"
less than i've minutes announce verdict OF 'not
guilty. on oil the counts and Bertfn was immedi.
ately set at liberty amid the applause OF the audi
ence.
without extenuating circumstances, "of Intelligence
with the enemy" for having, 40 was alleged, IN
formed the Prussians that the Marie or his village
had stock OF oats, and he was accordingly con-
demned to transportation for LIE.
On November IL, 1871 Bavarian soldier, Joseph
Kern, appeared before military tribunal at Lam
dau, on the charge OF having assassinased French
architect called Desmuyck ON the 4th OF August
at NOgent, France, wnere he was on duty. Having
been found guilty, Joseph Kern was condemned 10
November "a metal glider Thonnelet twenty.
eight Years OF age appeared before the Assize Court
1hevenn) In Paris. The prisoner was accused OF
having murdered saxon soldier. on 6th Septem.
ber in the vicinity OF Fort Rosny. Thonnelet was
personne du soldat Saxon Demat1er. The two
threatened the whole day ITO stab the first Prus.
sian he should meet" NJ. Lachaud defended and
JuStl1ed MIN. me summing up OF the PRESIDENT
was entirely In favor OF the accused He touched
very lightly on the evidence against ThOnneet. At
twenty minutes past four O'Clock the jury retired to
the chamber Of deliberations and at twenty.f0ur
minutes after four the bell announced that they had
agreed on the verdict The foreman declared that
the verdist was mot guilty." and tho President
dered the immediate discharge Of Thonnelet. A
tumultuous burst OF applause forthwith resounded
through the Court, with cries OF "Vtw Ia Justice
ViUe Ia France
The Cologne Gazette speaking Of the result Of one
Of the trials, said:--
This occurred about twenty.four hours after M.
Theirs mad lnculcated on the Chinese Embassy, In q
solemn audience, .the duty OF government TO up.
hold strict administrator OF justce.n And yet
the Chinese had previously announced that the
murderers OF Tien-ts had not escaped punish
ment on the ground OF patriotism or religious
fanaticIsm, but had been condemned by the Chinese
courts OF justice which consequently mad nothing
to learn from France or French Jurisprudence
The German Resolve Said tn BE NIodera ting.
LONDON, Jan. 3-Evenlng.
In apparent contradiction 10 the statement al
ready teegraphed that the German authorities have
ordered the trial Of hostages in France special
despatch to the London Standard Of this evening
says the Germans have suddenly evinced modera-
s-A.x ~.