M. Clemence-au's last duty before resigning office and ceasing to
be President of the Allies' Supreme Council was to sign a Note inviting Holland to hand over the ex--Kaiser for trial. The Allies reminded 'Holland that, if the ex-Kaiser had remained at home, Germany would have had to surrender him with the other war criminals, in accordance with the Peace Treaty. Holland, surely, could not regard with less reprobation than the Allies the immense responsibility of the ex-Kaiser for the German atrocities. The Allies admitted that there might be no precedents for this " high international juridical act, rendered necessary by the consoience of the world." They expressed the belief, however, that Holland, who had asked for admission to the League of Nations, would not wish " to cover by her
moral authority the violation of the essential principles of the solidarity of nations." They added significantly. that " the Netherlands people is deeply interested in not appearing to protect the chief author [of the crime] by giving him shelter on • its territory." The Dutch Government. must now come to a decision.
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