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The
Allied and Associated Powers publicly arraign William II of
Hohenzollern, formerly German Emperor, for a supreme offence against
international morality and the sanctity of treaties.
A
special tribunal will be constituted to try the accused, thereby
assuring him the guarantees essential to the right of defence. It
will be composed of five judges, one appointed by each of the
following Powers: namely, the United States of America, Great
Britain, France, Italy and Japan.
In
its decision the tribunal will be guided by the highest motives of
international policy, with a view to vindicating the solemn
obligations of international undertakings and the validity of
international morality. It will be its duty to fix the punishment
which it considers should be imposed.
The
Allied and Associated Powers will address a request to the
Government of the Netherlands for the surrender to them of the
ex-Emperor in order that he may be put on trial.
The
German Government recognises the right of the Allied and Associated
Powers to bring before military tribunals persons accused of having
committed acts in violation of the laws and customs of war. Such
persons shall, if found guilty, be sentenced to punishments laid
down by law. This provision will apply notwithstanding any
proceedings or prosecution before a tribunal in Germany or in the
territory of her allies.
The
German Government shall hand over to the Allied and Associated
Powers, or to such one of them as shall so request, all persons
accused of having committed an act in violation of the laws and
customs of war, who are specified either by name or by the rank,
office or employment which they held under the German authorities.
Persons
guilty of criminal acts against the nationals of one of the Allied
and Associated Powers will be brought before the military tribunals
of that Power.
Persons
guilty of criminal acts against the nationals of more than one of
the Allied and Associated Powers will be brought before military
tribunals composed of members of the military tribunals of the
Powers concerned.
In
every case the accused will be entitled to name his own counsel.
The
German Government undertakes to furnish all documents and
information of every kind, the production of which may be considered
necessary to ensure the full knowledge of the incriminating acts,
the discovery of offenders and the just appreciation of
responsibility.
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