The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-04

baron Won LerSner told the ASsocl-
ated Press his decision was in line with
the attitude he had maintained through
out regarding the question of extradi-
ton. He declared he had held that no
German officials could be instrumental
in carrying out the extradition clauses
OF the treaty and consequently the
matter having come up in a definite
Ilnal form there was nothing left for
MN to do but to resign and go home.
= Immediately after receiving the list
dressed the following letter to Premier
Millerand:
Your excellency has transmitted a
note containing the names Of Germans
whose eXtradition Is demanded by the
allied powers, In the course of the last
three months I have most seriously laid
before representatives OF the allied and
associated governments 10 times in
writing and 13 times orally, the reasons
it was impossible to comply with such
a request, no matter what the social
RANK OF the accused persons might be.
I remind your excelency OF my con-
stantly repeated declarations that no
German functionary would be disposed
to be in any way whatever instrumental
in the realization Of the demand for
mental in 1t if I were to forward to the
German government the note of your
excellency. l, therefore, send it back
herewith.
Il have, made it known to my gov
ernment that I cannot remain in office
and that l shall leave Paris by the
next train.
Baron Won Lersner, it was said early
this afternoon. would leave for Berlin
by an evening train.
Call in Envoy.
The allied council of ambassadors
was called into extraordinary session to
discuss the situation created by the
resignation of Baron Won Lersner. The
session was held in the French foreign
office.
Hugh C. Wallace, ttEs, American am
basSador. who attended the meeting,
said afterward that he had no state
ment to make regarding it. 1t was
made known that an official commune
que would be issued after the second
meeting of the council, which was set
for $3.50 o'clock this evening.
Meanwhile an official view of the
situation arising from Baron Won Lers-
ner's refusal to transmit the list of
the accused Germans to his government
is lacking The general impression
among observers of the peace proceed
ings, however, was that the action of
the German representative would not
influence the determination of the allies
TO demand the extraultlOnS.
In French official circles it was ex-
planned, the feeling that despite the
general indifference Non the extradition
question manifested by the public there
was an important reason why the allies
should insist upon the execution of the
clause in the treaty relating to the ac-
cused Germans. The impression Is
strong in official French quarters it
was declared, that the Germans are dis
posed to make use Of every possible pre-
text to avoid the execution of not only
this but of other clauses of the treaty
and that If the allies gave way on this
point it would be considered in Berlin
mands for further notifications.
Can Send List Still.
1t was pointed out that even in the
absence Of the head OF the German
peace delegation Baron Won Lersner and
the charge d'affaires Dr. wilhelm
Mayer, who returned to Berlin last
week shortly after being received by
Premier Millerand) 1t would be sim
pie matter to have the list of the ac-
cused presented in Berlin by one of the
representatives of the allied govern
ments now there.
While Baron Won Lersner gave out
nothing but the signed statement In
which he briefly stated his reason for
resigning and refusing to transmit the
list, the impression among observers in
Paris is that he Is acting on his per-
sonal initiative in announcing his de-
parture, not reflecting the decision of
his government and not committing it
to any specific course,
Extradition of S96 Germans accused
of violations of the laws of war is de-
manded in the list handed Kurt Won
Lersner by Paul Dutasta. secretary of
the peace conference last night.
England demands for trial 81; France
and Belgium, S34 each; Italy. 20; Po-
land. 81; Rumania, II, and Serbia. I.
The names of Germans comprised in
the first list against whom charges are
preferred by all the allied nations are
included in the above figures.
The ambassadors council has con-
firmed its decision not to publish the
names of those Germany is asked TO
surrender but II Is possible TO say that.
in addition to those already reported as
being on the list. are the following:
Field Marshal Alexander H. r. Won
Kluck. commander OF the right wing of
the German army in its advance on
Paris in 1914; Gen. Baron Kurt Won
Manteuffel, German military command
er in Louvain. Belgium. in 1914; Field
Marshal Won Buelow, commander of the
second German army; Cen Stenger,
commander OF the SD German in
fantry brigade; Gen. Won Tesma. former
governor OF Luxembourg; the Niemeyer
brothers. one a captain. who were ac-
cused in 1918 of mistreating British
prisoners of war; Major Won Goerts and
Lieut.. Werner, Capt Max Nalentiner.
and Capt. Forstner, submarine COM
manders: Baron Won der Lancken,
| former military governor Of Brussels;
Admiral Won Capele former head OF
! the German admiralty and Field
| Marshal Liman Won Sanders. German
| commander of Turkish armies.