NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IT is being asserted in many quarters that the ex-German Emperor cannot be tried because he has not committed any act which before the war was recognized es a punishable offence. 'He cannot be arraigned as a criminal except on some ex post facto declaration of International Law. But ex post facto declarations of law are unjust by the universal admission of mankind.' Very possibly this line of argument applies to the general accusation that William IL entered upon the war inspired by a wicked and tyrannical policy and one contrary to the best interests of humanity. But though the Kaisar cannot be tried merely for being a wicked man, he can be tried, as we showed last week, for specific acts contrary to the rules of war and to the solemn Agreements made by the Powers at the Hague to prevent certain definitive War Crimes.
