Norwich bulletin., 1919-05-23

BILE rapidity.
ut is in accordance with tire opinion |
OF the German peace delegation that
the task of settling the details of the
execution of that repatriation should
he entrusted to a special commission.
THE German peace delegation. bear
ing in mind the difference of jurisdic-
ton in the various countries concern
ed is of the opinion. for instance, that
it is indispensable for prisoners of war
and informed civilians who have been
detained for offences other than those
against discipline to be repatriated
Internationally.
1.-THE German delegation has, more
over, been compelled to note that the
arrangements contemplated are favor
able only to the allied and associated
governments, for instance. SO far as
concerns the restoration Of private
property; the search for persons who
have disappeared and the care to be
taken OF graves. The German peace
delegation promises that, for questions
such as these, complete reciprocity
may be required for general reasons
of humanity.
THE German delegation for reasons
of Internal policy regards it of the ut
most importance that the German
prisoners of war and informed civilians
should be returned to their homes in
as normal a condition as possible.
The question arises for instance, Of
supplying against repayment COM
plete sets of clothing, underclothins
and civilian clothing and footwear for
the. prisoners before their despatch.
Il avail myself, etc, etc.
"(Sisned)
"BROCKDORFF- RANTZAU."
Text OF the reply approved by the
council of the principal allied and as
sociated powers to the letter = from
Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau, dated
Nav TO- 1919:
paris, May 90, 1919.
Sir; The representatives Of the
allied and associated powers have
given considera ton to the repatriation
OF the German prisoners of war. In
reply, they wish to state that they
Cannot agree that prisoners of war
and civilian prisoners who have been
guilty Of crimes or penal offences
should ho released These crimes and
penal offences have been committed
OF allied soil and have been dealt
with hy The legally constituted author
ties without reference to the fact
that the wrongdoer was German,
rather than an allied citizen.
For instance. n certain German
n''isore" broke at night into the house
of f1rn'",' or whoce estate he was
set . woll-. and nourdered the farmer
and llis.-w e i cold blo9dSwith a bill
! hook Fa' 1ais double murder the said
| prisoner vas Fent enced to death on
| fuse II. 1918. by a regularly consti-
! tuted court martial. Under the Berene
| convention. however. the execution Of
the sentence is suspended until peace
is signed. Justice would certainly not
he satisfied if. as consequence of the
treaty, This murderer was reprfeved.
For these reasons the allied and as
sociated powers cannot agree to alter
| the provisions of the draft treaty in
! respect of prisoners of war who have
! Seen guilty of crimes or penal ,offenc-
es
/. I'm regard to the second question.
| the German peace delegation makes no
/ specific suggestions as TO the allevia
/ ton which they would propose for the
/ prisoners of war and fr1terned civilians
| between the date of the signing OF
! peace and their repatriation The al
! lied and associated powers are not
! aware of what alleviation it is posi-
| bic to make, seeing that they have
! scrupulously endeavored to observe
both the laws of war and the dictates
Of humanity in the treatment which
they have given to prisoners of war
and that, as provided in the last sec
ton of article 18, it is ESSENTIAL that
prisoners of war and informed civilians
should remain subject to discipline
and control pending their repatriation
in the interests of all concerned.
The German peace delegation MAY
rest assured that it is the intention
of the allied and associated govern
| nents to treat their prisoners with full
consideration Of their feelings anf
needs. - ssz-es55.
/ "The restitution Of personal prop.
erty to prisoners of war constitutes q
| legal right which the allied and asso.
ciated powers have every intention O,
respecting. AS regards information
about the missing, the allied and as
ISOLATED powers have always endeav.
ored to supply the German government
with all information in their posses.
sion on this subject, and they viii
| certainly continue to do SO after peac,
is signed.
Concerning the care of graves. the,
would point out that articles 225 ant
326 would appear to assure to tn,
German people that the graves of thei
fellow citizens shall be both respecte,
and properly maintained and that s.
far as is practicable under clause 90
the bodies of their soldiers and sailor