The Washington herald., 1919-01-24
PEACE COUNCIL
TO FIX BLAME
FOR WORLD WAR
Special Commission to
Probe Culpability from
the Kaiser Down.
NO ONE WILL ESCAPE
Steering Committee Takes
Up Labor Legislation and
Territorial Rights.
NO ONE WILL ESCAPE

Paris. Jan. 23.-Punishment for
the Kaiser and his associates was
formally taken up by the supreme
war council today.
The belief prevailed in certain
quarters that the council will adopt
some form of the program suggest
ed by the American delegation in
this regard-appointmen of a spe-
cial commission to investigate thor
oughIy the culpability of all those
responsible for the war. from the
Kaiser down, so that none might
escape.
1t was expected that the various
forms of punishment to be meted
out will be taken up simultaneously.
that nothing may be overlooked in
the way Of affOrding a warning for
future potential war markers.
In connection with the discussion
of responsibility and punishment for
individuals. the penalty for the Ger
man nation was also considered. 1t
is now accepted that indemnities
will be limited to reparation for
damages. but the huge sum these
are expected to amount to will con-
stitute an additional penalty, never
theless.
Topics Cover Divers Things.
Other matters considered by the
steering comitteee" were interua-
tiOnal labor legislation. the procedure
under which territorial questions will
be taken up and the international
status of ports. waterways and rail-
ways.
The rposf vital propay;tYon. 80 10
dealt with by the delegates apparently
were being rounded into shape for
discussion by the geenral Peace Con-
Gress Saturday. Aside from the Rus
sian situation and the league of ma
tions, practically every important
problem was debated today.
Today's official communique says:
The President OF the United States,
the prime ministers and foreign min
listers of the allied and associated
powers, and the japanese representa-
ttyes met this morning at the Quai
d'Orsay. The meeting proceeded with
examination of the Agenda Otems) for
the plenary meeting of the confer
ence on Saturday. The following
questions were considered for this
purpose:
"First-International legislation on
labor. .-.t.
second Responsibility and punish
ments in connection with the war.
''Third-Reparation for war dam
ages
'Fourth-Tnternation regime of
ports, waterways and railways.
In addition. the meeting began
consideration OF the procedure to be
adopted with regard to territorial
questions.
Supreme Council Meets
The supreme war council will
meet tomorrow morning at 1890
o'clock Marshal Foch. Field Mar
shaI Haig and Gen. Diaz will be
present. as wei as military represen-
tatives at Versailles of the allied and
associated powers"
The British cabinet met this after
noon to consider the personnel of its
contribution to the Joint commission,
which viii confer with Russian dele
gates at the Princes Island. Premier
Borden. of Canada: Premier Botha- of
the Union OF South Africa, and Gen.
Smuts. South African representative
I'm the cabinet. were considered.
To stop Fighting Serbs.
Declaring he has been assured the
associated powers will make certain
that Montenegro will soon have the
opportunity to exercise the right of
self-determination. King Nicholas has
instructed his subjects to cease their
koppoition to the Serbs.
1t was understood the message was
! approved by the peace delegates, and
| that iCholas was authorized to send it.
Recent dispatches reported bloody
fighting in Montenegro between a por-
tion Of the inhabitants and Serbian
troops.