Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-24
PUZZLE Over
next Step IN
KAISER HUNT
Allies in Doubt as to
Where Pressure Should
Be Exerted.
a

London Jan. 24.-In diplomatic
quarters the belief was expressed
this morning that the Dutch reply
with regard to surrender of the for
mer German emperor does not
close the incident. It is held that
the allies have so strongly COM
mitted themselves in the peace
treaty on this matter that they can
not withdraw further conversations
with Holland.
Hold Conference Soon.
Paris, Jan. 24.-Conferences be-
tween premiers of Great Britain,
France and Italy will be held be-
fore the next move in the proceed
ings to extradite former Emperor
William from Holland is decided
upon, according to information
given the Associated Press by the
French foreign Office. Whether the
next demand for surrender will be
directed to The Hague or Berlin
will be the main object to be de-
termined.
MuSt ACb CVOus
The next meeting will be held in
London, but as no date has been
fixed and the matter can not be left
pending a long time, the foreign
Office expressed the opinion that
the question might be settled
through diplomatic channels be-
tween Rome, Paris and London. 1t
is understood that at least one pre-
mier is not averse to asking Berlin
to call for the return of Count
Hohenzollern to Germany and then
demanding that Germany deliver
him over to the allies in accord
ance with the provisions of article
22S of the treaty of Versailles.
Sentiment in official circles here
is against such procedure, as there
is no desire that the former en-
peror return to Germany.
France Not Exercised.
Paris, Jan. 24.-Although already
discounted, the refusal Of Holland
to surrender former Emperor Will
liam of Germany to the allies has
been given a mild reception by the
newspapers here. Writing in the
Echo d. Paris, "Pertinax" says he
regards the punishment Of Count
Hohenzollern as . question Of SEN
timent. +
"All things considered" he con-
tinues, 'the only thing remaining
for US to do Is to come to an under
standing with Holland ON the con-
ditions surrounding the internment
of the former emperor, in which
some provision for allied surveil-
lance might be made. Undoubtedly,
If William, to relieve Holland OF
embarrassment, decided to cross
into Germany, the aspect of the
question would change, but we are
not there yet"
The Journal says the affair has
become purely political one and
it is for the allied governments to
examine. the Dutch answer and de-
eide upon the next course to take
Gustave Herve, editor of La Vic
toire, thinks on the whole it would
be better "for the kaiser to stor
where he is"
The Petit Parisien goes to the
other extreme, saying:
"The right of asylum is only en-
titled to respect if the person shell.
tered is himself worthy of respect
and such is hot the case here
Honor, is not involved if it favors
one who has forfeited honor. Hol'
land, sheltering behind legal tech.
nicalities, avoids the question Of
guilt, which is no longer IN doub1
throughout the world" -
William Not Surprised.
Amerongen, Friday. Jan. 23.-
Former Emperor William of Ger
many was not surprised by tn,
! formal refusal of the Dutch gov
ernment to comply with the allie<
demand for his surrender, it wa!
declared today at Bentinck castle
where the ex-ruler makes his home
News of the decision was first com
municated to- the castle by the As
sociated Press correspondent here
A refusal of extradition had beel
expected from the first, the CORE
spondent was told. but the castle
resident had never been officiall,
informed that a decision had boel
or would be reached.