The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-10
NO EXTRAD|T|0N OF
FORMER EMPEROR
DETERMINATION OF
THE NETHERLANDS
Age-Long Policy to Be OBJ
served Should Allies De-
mand Surrender of Ex-
lied German Kaiser
and Crown Prince


| The Hague, Saturday, November 5.
Former Emperor William CAME to Hol-
land year ago Monday Since that time
there has been no demand officially or
unofficially for his extradition or delivery
up to the allies, nor has Holland at all
changed its viewpoint toward him.
The Associated Press learned this today
from sources that are unquestionable
Hollands viewpoint as regards William
Hohenzollern may be stated frankly as
follows:
The. Netherlands which for centuries
has accorded political refuge to all, con-
siders the former emperor and crown
prince as refugees-not as royalty, but as
persons entitled to the same rights as any
plain Johann Schmidt who fled to Holland
during the war. This principle is so
strongly held by the goSernment and also
by the press of Holland Mat nothing is
likely to change it, it is asserted
The Dutch government has reached
determination as to its conduct in the
event the surrender of William Hohenzol-
lern is asked for. No official statement
has been made in this connection, but the
Associated Press learns that Holland con-
siders the former emperor beyond extradi-
ton. as there is no possible way legally
to hold him criminal. If they de-
sired to insist on the privilege, both the
Hohenzollerns would be free to go where
they liked, as they are in no sense prison.
ers. However, because they feel that they
would embarrass Holland even further
they apparently have agreed to remain
where they now are-the father at Amer
ongen and his son at Wieringen.
FREE TO GO.
If the one time emperor and crown
prince desired to return to Germany, they
would be permitted to go. While it is
possible that Frederick William some day
may return to Germany. official circles
in The Hague are inclined to the belief
that William Hohenzollern is content to
settle down to the life of a country gen.
tleman at Doom, where he has been per-
mitted to buy a small estate because his
long stay at Amerongen seemed unfair to
Count Won Bentinck. whose castle he &C.
cupies.
Although a number Of purported inter-
views with the former emperor have been
published, the fact is that he never has
spoken for publication since his arrival in
Amerongen and to the request of the AS
ISOLATED Press correspondent for state
ment on the occasion of the anniversary
of his taking refuge here, he sent reply
saving that ne had not changed his de-
termination not to speak.
Holland realizes the unpleasantness of
the situation created by the fact that the
former German ruler sought refuge here
a wear ago. Dutch official said to the
Associated Press today, but for US 1t is
only question of sticking to the princi-
Piles which have guided us for centuries
PRINCIPLES INVOLVED
"Also there is the question of principles
in our NEGOTIATIONS of Belgium's demands
with regard to territorial adjustments
These negotiations are proceeding salts
factorily in Paris At no time were diplo-
matte relations between Belgium and Hol-
land broken off.
CAS- far as Limburg is concerned. were
il not for the fact that it would be be-
meath the dignity of Holland to consider
such procedure we would welcome pie
bescite there, for we know that only one
half of 1 per cent of the population of
Limburg, and these for self interested
reasons. would favor annexation to Bel
GUM.
Regarding the River Scheldt. Hollands
control Of the waterway has been unques
toned since the fourteenth century. and
there is now no reason to surrender it.
"One must put ones self in our place
to understand. 1t is the same as it,. for
instance. Switzerland should ask for the
right to build and control canal to
Genoa, or Canada should desire to do the
same thing from Canada to Tampa. Fla. =
The correspondent OF the AsneeiAked
Press has learned tint while Holland has
not yet made state loan to Germany.
:.