Araument Over Trial of Filipino

For N. Guinea Mirder

AUSTRALIAN authorities seem vague and indefinite in regard to the punishment of the man who murdered Mr. John Harcourt Scott in New Guinea earlv in the year.

N «rnt? U was murdered by a Filipino soldier in the service of the United States. The Australian-New Guinea officials began a magisterial inquiry; then

American officers stepped in and claimed that it was their duty to try the case; and re moved the soldier and material witnesses to the Philippines, In reply to a question in Parliament, Dr. Evatt, Australian Attorney-General) said that there was a dispute about juns diction; but the Australian Administra tion had been instructed that, as the crime was committed on Trustee territory, the trial should take place there. He did not know what had happened since.