The New York herald., 1920-01-24

ApAiONii iii3 - lAE itPiS VI iht sNClH-l
lands government to the Entente
BY verbal note, dated January Is.
1920. given TO the envoy OF the queen
at Paris, the Powers, referring TO
article 227 of the treaty OF Versailles,
demand that the government of Hol-
land give into their hands William OF
Hohenzollern. former Emperor of Ger
many, so that he may be tried.
Supporting this demand, they observe
that IL the former Emperor had re-
maned in Germany the German gov
ernment would, under the terms Of
article 22s of the treaty of peace. have
been obliged TO deliver him.
In citing as premeditated violations
of International treaties, as well as
systematic disregard of the most "a
cred rules of the rights OF man. num-
ber of acts committed during the war
by German authority, the Powers
place the responsibility. at least NOR
ally. upon the former Emperor.
They express the opinion that Hol-
land would not fulfil her international
duty il she refused to associate her
self with them. within the limit of her
ability. to pursue or. at least not 10
impede the punishment OF crimes COM
mitted.
They emphasize the sypecial charac-
ter OF their demands. which contem-
plate not juridical accusation but
an act of high international policy.
and they make an appeal TO Holland
respect OF law and love Of justice not
10 cover with her moral authority
violation by Germany of the essential
principles OF the solidarity of nations.
The Queen has the honor to observe.
first. that obligations which for Ger
many could have resulted from article
22s Of the treaty of peace cannot serve
10 determine the duty OF Holland,
which is not party 10 the treaty.
The government OF the queen moved
by imprescriptible reasons. cannot view
the question raised by the demand OF
the Powers except from the point .
view of its own duty. II was abso-
lutely unconnected with the origin OF
the war and has maintained. and not
without difficulty, its neutrality to
the end. II finds itself. then. face TO
face with facts OF the war in a posi-
tion different from that OF the Powers
II rejects with energy all suspicion
OF wishing TO cover with its sovereign
right and It's moral authority violations
Of the essential principles Of the soli-
darity OF nations but IL cannot recog-
nize an international duty to associate
itself with this act of high international
policy OF the Powers.
N in the future there should be insti-
tuted BY the Society of Nations an in
ternational jurisdiction competent 20
Judge in case of war deeds, qualified
"a crimes and submitted to it's juris-
diction by statute ante-dating the acts
committed il would be tit for Holland
TO associate herself with the new re-
gine
The government OF the Queen cannot
admit in the present case any other
duty than that imposed upon it by the
laws OF the kingdom and national ira
dition.
Now. neither the constituent laws Of
the kingdom. which are based upon the
principles OF law universally recog-
nized, nor & respectable secular tradi-
tlon which has made this country al
WAYS a ground OF refuge for the van
uuished In international conflicts. per-
nit the government OF Holland 70 de-
fer 70 the desire OF the Powers by with
drawing from the former Emperor the
benefit OF its laws and this tradition.
Justice and national honor. OF which
respect Is a sacred duty. oppose this.
The Netherlands people. moved by the
sentiments to which in history the
world has done justice, could not be-
tray the faith of those who have con-
fided themselves to their free institu-
tions.
The government Of The Queen 10
pleased TO believe that the Powers will
recognize tho good grounds Of these
considerations, which rise above any
consideration OF personalities and
which seem TO IL so peremptory that
they could not reasonably give rise to
wrong interpretations,