New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1919-07-19
TRIAL OF TIE KAISER.

The English plan to try the Kaiser in
| London is encountering much opposition,
| and doubt is entertained if it will be
carried out. The press generally is
against it. The royal family would nat
urally dislike to see their cousin, Will
helm, tried, although it is tacitly agreed
that extreme punishment would not be
considered. Nobility and the better
class of people dislike the idea of trying
ruler whom they have personally en-
tertained and associated with. Many Of
lenses are charged against Germany and
its ruler, and those who believe in the
monarchial form of government fear con-
viction of the Kaiser would hasten the
day when all Europe will be democratic.
1t is very near that now. The three big
gest empires have been swept out of ex-
stence by revolution. If the people are
| taught that rulers can be hailed before
them and tried for their acts as en-
| peror, the practice may become general.
It is better, they argue, not to encourage
| the idea-certainly not just at the pres
ent.
1t is no secret that additional opposi-
ton to the trial of the Kaiser has shown
itself in London which is carrying much
weight against the trial of leaders for
their acts during the war by a court or
] ganized by those who met them in bat
tie. General SHUTS, who led the Boer
army in South Africa against the British,
has protested against the trial, and calls
the attention of Great Britain to the fact
that some British statesmen wanted to
try him, Botha and other Boer leaders,
for treason, after the war, because they
opposed the British troops. Although
the Beers were crushed, many of them
fought on, retreating into German ter
ritory, and carrying on a queralla war
fare.
To attempt to punish these men who
were fighting as an independent people
to protect their country, would have been
an international atrocity. Fortunately for
all concerned, the idea was abandoned,
and when the treaty of peace was finally
signed it provided for the amnesty of all.
Not only this, but the British Parliament,
when it restored civil government in the
/ Transvaal and the Orange River Free
State, and provided a policy of recon
struction, avoided the fatal mistake ct
our Congress in the reconstruction of the
South, and dealt so fairly and justly by
the Beers that all bitterness of the war
disappeared. When trouble with Ger
many began, the Beers were the first to
rally to the support of the British and
not only saved the empire in Africa, but
added the German colonies to it. In
| these African campaigns-and, indeed,
Al L. &c 10
tower of strength to Britain, although
recently an enemy, and no man in the
empire commanded greater respect and
admiration.
When he announced his opposition to
the trial of the Kaiser, on the ground
that was the same disposition to try him
and other Beers after their war with
England, it created q profound sensation.
He threatened at first to appear before
the Council of Five at Paris and present
the strong protest he could have raised /;
and it is by no means certain that he will
not do 50 even now, if the trial is per-
sisted in.
As we have said, the same demand
was made after the Civil war by GER
tain incorporate politicians in the
North, who insisted upon the trial Of
Jefferson Davis for acts of the govern
ment at the head Of which he stood. He
| was indicted for treason, and kept in
long imprisonment on this charge. Some
statesmen in this country protested
against this outrage, and finally secured
his release. We can realize today that
these trials after the war-Smuts in
/, South Africa and Davis in the United
States-would have been criminal
| blunders, from which Great Britain and
the United States would have recovered.
The charge against the Kaiser is very
different, being "a supreme offense
against international morality and the
| sanctity of treaties" But the fact that
in the two other cases mentioned there
was a strong demand for the trial and
punishment Of the men who carried on
] the war for the protection Of their own
countries, must lead many to think we'll
. over the question and not make = mis-
take.
| The protest of General SHUTS is bound
to carry great weight in England-greatsz
than those of the noble and aristocratic
| intimates Of the Kaiser and his family,
who have already entered their protest
Times Picayuns.