Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-06
THE KAISER STILL A MENACE


THE KAISER STILL A MENACE
The psychology of the growing immun-
ity of criminals from all punishment. in
the United States as well as other lands is
well illustrated blythe case of William Ho-
henzolern late emperor of Germany. On
November, when the armistice was sign
ed, most of us were ready to execute the
Kaiser without trial. We knew he was
guilty of unspeakable crimes beyond the
necessity of further proof. The only diff
ference of opinion related to the manner
I'm which he should be punished.
1t seems an age, measured by moment
Gus developments, but only about three
months have elapsed since we actually
felt the war over, and the Kaiser
really in position to be punished Yet to-
day the problem Of the punishment Of the
late dictator Of Germany has been rele-
gated to the rear. 1t is no longer a ques-
ton how he shall be punished. but wheth-
err he shall be punished at all, and If ever
when?
If you carefully analyze your own
thoughts on the subject, you will be able
to appreciate the rapidty with which
your burning demand and that of others
for the punishment of the author Of this
war has receded into the past. If your
own ardor has been allowed to cool, even
though you have not directly faced the
solution of the peace problems of the
world, you can not consistently complain
because other pressing international du-
ties have overshadowed in the peace con-
gress universal demand that the Kaiser's
punishmet shall fl his crimes. 1t Is more
important for the world at this time that
we gain speedy peace then that we stop to
punish those guilty of the war.
This attitude of mind. or in other words,
psychology, relative to the punishment of
the Kaiser illustrates perfectly and con-
spicuously the evolution which takes place
in popular sentiment respecting common
crimes and common criminals. Lawyers
realize that if they can postpone the trial
successful prosecution and conviction
will be UNNECESSARILY lessened. Not only
may evidence necessary for the prosecu-
ton become lost and important witnesses
die or otherwise disappear, but that pub
lie demand which figures largely in the
punishment of crime, is certain to fade
with the lapse of time. Other matters
absorb our interest and attention.
That is why we need to expedite the ad.
ministratlon of justice in our courts. II
is not a question of the mere saving OF
1t is the problem of securing at all that
exact justice which Is one of the corner
stones of public security and stable gov
eminent and abiding self-rule.
In the case of the former Kaiser Of Ger.
many all these common considerations
are supplemented by the barrier due tc
the glamour of royalty. Already WORD
comes from The Hague that, according
to advices from Germany, William Ho-
zenzellern is no longer plain BILL" in his
former realm. On the contrary he is rap.
idly regaining his former imperial popu.
larity among the Germans.
This is another apparent freak of psy-
chology, which has entirely understand
able explanations. Prolonged disorder
and misrule, due to the clashing of the
various socialistic schools Of thought ir
the government that succeeded the en-
pire, are leading the masses to look to the
former emperor the solution of the
problem of iron discipline now much
needed in Germany. They are thus led tc
question whether he after all has moi
been misrepresented. They wonder
whether he is not the victim of the former
war party at Berlin rather than its mas
ter They begin to consider with les
question, if not with favor the POSSIBLE
ity of his restoration to power.
Herein lies the chief danger connecte,
with the punishment of the Kaiser If h
, had been taken in hand promptly at tn
end of the war, large part of the Ger
man people would have acclaimed his pun
ishment as the author of all their woes
To-day the capital punishment Of william
Hohenzollern might make him a marty
In the eyes of many Of the German pee
pie. This il not an argument for com
plete immunity for the Kaiser. 1t is
reason against further delay in bringin
him to justice.
The Rhenish Westphalian Gazette
3 quoted as asserting that Britain an
France are endeavoring to put pressur
on Holland to secure the delivery to tn
allies of the ex-emperor' That tourna
warns the Dutch that william is not
political offender and refugee but CON
MS, criminal. 1t expresses the hope tina
a