We have several times stated our opinion that the punish-
ment of the Kaiser and the high authorities who procured the war would be an act of genuine importance, impressive for both moral and symbolical reasons. If It were to be an act of mere revenge or spite, we should not have a word to say for it ; but we live in -a world in which men are apt to argue from very simple premiases, and to make verysimple arguments leadto very positive conclusions. In such a world as this the plain man is sure to sweep aaidealllegal technicalities, and to aak why some miserable wretches lower down (who in committing their crimes only obeyed orders) should be punished—perhaps even pueiebed with death—while the men high up, who with diabolical callous. ness brought about the death of millions, should walk off free.
In =brief, if the high German authorities are-passed over, it will be almost impossible to punish their inferiors.
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