The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-20
Every Indication Points to Re-
fusal Entente Demand.
Holland Expected to Stand on
Old Treaty Terms.
HINT EXTRADITION is HUNNISH
Democratic Party of Nether-
lands Objects Strenuously.
That U. S. Did Not Sign Note
Stiffens Opposition.

Amsterdam, Jan. 20.-The commits
tee of the Holland Democratic party
has passed a resolution against the
surrender of war criminals, demands
ing the Democratic members of the
cabinet resign before yielding to the
allied demands.
Won Lersncr Is Certain.
Paris. Jan. 2O.-Belief that the eff
forts of the allies to get former En-
peror William out of Holland would
prove unsuccessful was expressed to-
day by Baron Kurt Won Lersner. Ger.
many's chief representative here.
81 am absolutely sure the Dutch
government will never surrender the
former German emperor for trial an
charges that are not provided for in
any constitution. any laws or any
treaties regarding extraditions," he
said.
Holland Acknowledges Note.
The Hague, Jan. 20.-The demand OF
the allies upon Holland for the SUR
render of former Emperor William
reached The Hague late Saturday
night thru the ambassador of the
Netherlands at Paris. to whom II was
handed Friday by the general secretary
of the peace conference. The Dutch
government yesterday asked that the
following acknowledgment OF its re-
ceipt be published:
1--WE learn that the demand for the
delivery of the former German en-
peror into the hands of the allied
| powers, which is based on article 221
of the treaty of Versailles. has now
reached the Dutch foreign office"
| Refusal Is Indicated.
There was every indication here
| that the Dutch government will refuse
to comply with the demands of the
! allies for the surrender of the person
of the former emperor of Germany.
The allied note. signed by President
! Clemenceau of the peace conferences.
was reported to have arrived here late
yesterday. brought by a special cour-
| ier from Paris.
There were excellent reasons to be-
, lieve, it was learned in official quar-
tiers that the government will base is
refusal upon certain clauses in The
Netherlands constitution and special
treaties.
The Dutch reply probably will point
out that Article of the constitution
assures every person, whether OF
Dutch or foreign birth, the same
rights of protection. This fact. it was
said, probably will dominate the reply
to the supreme councils note. The
principle was established firmly by
law revised in 1886.
May Stand on Treaties
In addition to conform with the law
of 1886. Holland concluded treaties
with France in 1895. England in 1898
and the United States in 1887, that
every demand for extradition must be
treated according to these treaties.
The first condition is that the crime
for which extradition is demandee
must be enumerated in these treaties
and laws.
The Dutch reply, II was believed.
will point out that the alleged Of
fenses with which The kaiser is charged
are not mentioned in any of these
treaties.
In addition the reply probably will
declare:
former kaiser is charged are new Of
fenses not even mentioned in laws OF
the powers backing the demand Tor
his extradition.
Claims No Laws Exist
That no state can give its judiciaI
aid toward punishment for an act Tor
which no laws exist.
That these principles are recognized
in all treaties and in as much as tns
former kaiser is being arraigned ~
his political enemies and no guaran.
tees can be given that judgment WIN
be impartial.
That the Dutch constitution anu q
Speciai law fOrDldS eAtIduAhAOh-
That the alleged crimes as set tor.n
in the allied demands are absoiutely
not defined in existing laws.
That it is one of the principles OF
the declaration of human rights tnat
no person can be punished except on
basis of established law on ~hicn
the penal laws of all nations hinge
United States Did Not Sign.
And finally that the Dutch governs
unent stands on the principles set forth
by Lord Palnlerston in his letter OF
1919 10 the ambassa lors at Vienna ana
st. Petersburg declaring that extradi-
ton of political refugees from Britain
would smirch the national honor -of
, the country surrendering 10 demands
Tor extradit!on.
The Dutch reply also may hint thas
forcing Of extraditi IN by the allies
would he committing one Of tie sans
! crimes of which they accuse William
Of FIohenzollern.
Considerable relief has been e<-
pressed that the United States did not
sign the demand. The Dutch publio
generally. 1t was said, is solidly behind
the government, and belle res the allies.
recognizing Holland cannot comply to
ttneir. demands. and will abandon the
idea of an international trial.
-S--