New Britain herald., 1919-04-28
-WeigIty Problem Solved.

, -Weighty Problem Solved. Thus the peace conference com- mission on responsibility for the war has solved it's most weighty problem. The state departments announcement of the solution was received here gen-. orally with surprise because it was known that Secretary Lansing, chair- man of the commission, had opposed any attempt to bring the measure be- fore an international tribunal. He contendod there was no law by Which such an offender could be tried by tho conference. and that it would be con- trary to the constitution of the United States for the American delegates to participate in the execution of such an ex-post facto law. At that time how- ever, it was proposed to charge crin- inal and military offenses ar1 it was suggested today that the decision 10 base the indictment on violation Of international morality and sanctity Of treaties was taken to meet the Amer- ican viewpoint
 Washington Announcement.
 The announcement issued by the State department follows
 ''Following are the proposed arti- cles regarding penalties for insertion in treaty of peace to be considered at a plenary session of conference to- o'clock D. m., Paris time:
 Article 1-The Allies and associated powers publicly arraign William II. of Hohenzollern, formerly German emperor, not for an offense against criminal law, but for a supreme 6f- fense against international Morality and the sanctity of treaties,
 Trial by Five Judges.
 "A special tribunal will be consti- tuted to try the accused, thereby as- surfing him the guarantees essential to the right of defense. It will be com- posed of five judges, one appointed by each of the following five powers, namely, The United States of America, Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan.
 'In it's decision the tribunal will be guided by the highest motives of in- ternational policy with view of vin- dicating the solemn obligations of in- ternational undertakings and the va lidity of international morality. It will be it's duty to fix the punishments which it considers should be imposed.
 The allied and associated powers will address a request to the govern ment of the Netherlands for the sur render to them of the ex-emperor in order that he may be put on trial.
 To Invoke Military Law.
 Article 2-The German governs ment not having insured the punish ment of the persons accused of having exercised acts in violation of tho laws and customs Of war such persons will be brought before military tribunals by the Allied and associated powers and if found guilty, sentenced to punishments laid down by military law.
 "The German government shall hand over to the Allied and associated powers, or to such one of them as shall so request all persons accused of having committed an act in viola- tion of the laws and customs of war. who are specified either by name or by the rank, office or employment which they held under the German authorf- ties.
 Will Arraign Others Too.
 "Article 3-Persons guilty of cr,- minal acts against the nations of one of the Allied and associated powers will be brought before the military tribunal of that power.
 "Persons guilty of criminal acts against the nationals of more than one of the Allied and associated DOW CTS will be brought before military tribunals composed of memb bers of the
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