New-York tribune., 1920-02-07
Germans Seek
Neutral Court
On War Crime
Berlin Organ Suggests the
Culprits Will Be Surren-
0rred if Allies Agree to
Grant Such a Tribunal
Swiss Are Ready to Act
Army and Navy Command
ers Said to Have Voted Not
to Give Themselves Up

ernment probably will be willing to
surrender its nationals charged with
war crimes to be tried by neutral tri
bunal if the Entente will agree, says
the National Zeitung." The Swiss gov
ernment, the newspaper says, has de-
clared it's readiness to arrange such a
tribunal
A member of the government Is
quoted as saying:
"The government is still endeavoring
70 find way out by further negotia-
tions."
1t is believed the government will
attempt to obtain a modification of the
peace treaty respecting the accused
Germans demanded for extradition. If
1t is unsuccessful it will, so to speak,
fold it's arms and let events take their
own course, according to prevalent
opinion. Already, it is reported, the
German airmen detailed to accompany
the Entente commission of control have
refused to perform their duties.
Clean Sweep of Generals
A scrutiny of the extradition list
shows that Belgium and France have
demanded the surrender of all the Ger
man generals who commanded on the
West front in 1914 except General Won
Hecringen. Why the Grand Duke of
Hesse is listed ;s mystery, says "The
Tageblatt," as he oniy visited the front
once.
Premier Bauer's conference with
party leaders tomorrow probably will
determine whether the National AS
sembly will be called to consider the
extradition situation.
Persons we'll Informed deny the ex-
tstence of q governmental crisis, and
the Prussian Cabinet has unanimously
Endorsed the National Cabinets atti-
tude, which is unaltered. This may be
regarded as a symptom Of the spirit in
which the Entente demands are being
met, all prominent politicians condemn
ing the Allied edict.
Field Marshal Won Buelow told the
"Lokal-Anzeiger" to-day that Germans
whose names are on the list "only did
their duty to the fatAerland." and that
extradition was ignominy to which mo
German would voluntarily submit"
Field Marshal Is Defiant
The field marshal declared he never
would place himself at the disposal Of
the Entente nations, and expressed the
named in the Allied list would take the
same view
1t is understood that meetings Of
army and navy commanders were held
on January Z, and it was unanimously
concluded that evasion of the extra
dltlon clause of the Versailles treaty
was entirely compatible with German
h.onor and tat no one voluntarily
should surbender. The COVE eminent
Aas issued to the press a proclamation
relte rating its opposition to the extra
dition demand. and declaring it cannot
be fulfilled by this or any other gov
ernment.
Even if the present government is
fprced to give way to a new Cabinet
composed of Independent Socialists or
other factions, the same situation will
prevail. it is said. The covering note
shd the official list has not been re-
ceived here, and the unofficial list
which was sent to Berlin loes not af-
ford basis for even superficial con-
sideration of the offenses charged
against the listed men. 1t is not i'm
probable the government will promptly
get into touch with the National AS
ssmbly, which is expected to recon-
vene next week. although it adjourned
until the end of the month.
PARIS. Feb. 6.-Edouard Ignace, who
was Under Secretary for Military JUS
tice in the Clemenceau Cabinet and
who. with Baron Birkenhead Lord
Chancellor Of England, recently com
pleted the list of Germans guilty OF
war crimes, attended to-night's session
of the council of ambassadors. Baron
Birkenhead, who also was present, ad-
dressed the ambassadors. No announce
ment as to what transpired was made
but the deliberations will be continued
tomorrow.
The Allied premiers at their meeting
in London next week are expected tc
examine minutely the question Of the
extradition of the Germans accused OF
war crimes and the consequences OF
German resistance to the Allied de.
mands.