The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-28
HUN DELEGATES
g 9 conference: s
READY FOR FIGHT
w a t h er Schuecking
Says Germany Favors
League of Nations.
CAN'T TRY KAISER.
Plenipotentiary Amazed
at Display of Ignorance
on Part Of Those Who
Differ.
CAN'T TRY KAISER.

Berlin. Aprti eT.-An insight into
The thoughts and intentions with
which the German peace plenlpoteh
tiaries are GOING TO Paris, may DE
gained from some significant remarks
made by ono OF them, Professor " al
Their Schuecking. Of tn University or
Marhurc. on the eve Of his departure.
One of the tig questtonS--perhaps
the biggeSt--as seen through the eyes
Of the German delegates. and one on
which they will not Sign on the dot
ted line" without putting up sufr
fight appears TO be the colonial ques-
ton. On this subject Professor
Schueckling said
y interpret the fourteen points TO
mean that Germany cannot be com
pletely excluded from Colonial hc-
ttvttv. since President Wilson has pro-
missed a free, open minded. ana an
solutely impartial adjustment Of ali
colonial claims, and nation OF tref-
manys importance is entitled by ule
law OF nature, as II were. to cooperate
in the mission Of civilization as re
cards the stilf unopened territories
Next Professor EchueCking was
asked about the indemnity problem.
This matter, too" he said, "s"ems TO
have been formerly completely SET
lied by the agreements with President
Wilson fmeaning the exchange or
notes preceding the armistice) so that
he only question stjll open Will he the
amount.
And AS 70 the arm cunt" he added,
II have hopes that II viii be decided
with entire fairness
What about the trial OF the kaiser.
said TO be proposed by the entente
was the next question
Is AMAZED
IT arm amazed" he re piled. by
articles which have read in the
French press about the project Of
rytng the ex~ kaiser. II goes with
out saving that I consider an inter"
national inquiry into the responsibility
for the war highly desirable.
without wishing to judge the aues-
lion OF guilt, see the problem OF tne
wars outbreak as in its very nature
an international matter. and / am
convinced thai really complete uFht
IAN he shed on this subject onE IL
all nations omen their archives, ana
If a tribunal could be created when
xoula examine all persons involved
"on the other hand. | am, "a ] say,
amazed hv these French news ac~
cunts to the effect thar one party pro
poses TO sit in Judgment over the
,ther. Unfortunately. we have hither-
10 lacked a turistic organization or
the service world and for this reason
here are no International courts IN
he law OF nations,
.~Therefore punitive procedure ny
,ne party in TT is war against the heads
~ the other party seems 10 me alb
soIufely irreconcilahle with The ex-
sting international law
THE existiny law OF nations gives
retther form nor precedent for any
snch action, Unfortunately. under
this existing International law each
nation has he right 10 declare war
on another. lust as in the interior or
that nation "a" "a tho right At any
dime to sue ~B'' without thereby
breaking tho law, even II the sun is
entirely arbitrary,
No Legal Difference
Again, unfortunately, there has
been hitherto no difference In inter
national law between "a lust war and
an unjust war
Even II the German emperor did
4~ciare war in order TO conquer Bel
GUM, this would. of course. be morally
rpprehensible and to be bitterly con-
demned by all just men, but under the
existing international law, II would not
he an act making the kaiser liable &c
punishment.
'sThe post-wa procedure of in
stjtuing a tribunal against some heads
of nations, statesmen or military leao'
erx. and their subsequent prosecution
would contradict the supreme juris'
philosophical principle of all law
which says 'nulla poena sine lege' tne
penalty without law).
From the French newspapers ! see
that on the opposing side there are
some very eminent turists engaged II
The preliminary peace work. Particu
lariy in connection with the responsl
bility OF Germany fer the war I have
seen the name Of Professor faprndeile
Of Sorbonne. esteer. lin very hiehl,
as savant, especially since | have
work On the same r~phlrr1s rs he
lCnntinued on Page Two.l