NO DEPARTURE FROM MAIN PRINCIPLES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 226, 18 June 1919, Page 7

NO DEPARTURE FROM MAIN PRINCIPLES

fin official summary of the Allies' reply to the German counterproposals to the peace terms was received by .cablegram last night. _In order to place the'situation as it aow stands in-, its proper perspective, the pointa of the German counter-proposals, as briefly cabled yesterday, are repeated, with references to the original Allied terms as outlined in the summary which was published in The Dominion on May, 9 last.] THE GERMAN COUNTER-PROPOSALS 1. Germany claims the .right to retain her oolonies on account of the improvements she made there. She asks that a Special Committee should decide on the colonies, which Germany is prepared to administer under the League if she is made an immediate member on equality with the others. •Treaty Terms.—Germany renounces in favour of the Allied and Associated Powers her overseas possessions with all rights and titles therein. All movable and immovable property belonging to the German Empire or to any Ger- . man State shall pass to the Government exercising authority thereat. These Governments may make whatever provisions may seem suitable for the repatriation of German nationals, and as to the conditions on which German • subjects of European origin shall reside, hold property, or carry on business . • Germany'undertakes to nay reparation for damage suffered by 1 French nationals in thft Cameroons or its frontier zone through the acts of the German —civil and military authorities, and of individual Germans from January 1, 1900, to August 1, 1914; renounces all lights under the Convention of November i, 1911, and September 28, 1912; undertakes to nay France in accordance with the estimate presented and rpproved by the Reparation Commission all deposits, credits, advances, etc.. thereby secured; and undertakes to accept and observo any provisions by the Allied and Associated Powers as to the trade in arms and spirits in Africa as well as to the Goneral Act of Berlin, 1885, and the General Act of Brussels of 1890. Diplomatic protection to the inhabitants ,of the former German colonies is to be given by the Governments exercising authority. Reparation. > 2. Germany agrees to pay a maximum reparation lof one hundred billion marks, provided the Allies accent the other German counter-proposals regarding the overseas colonics and territories. The reparations annuity for the first decade not to exceed a billion marks, taxed on revenues. Treaty Terms.—"The Allied and Associated Governments affirm, and Germany accepts on behalf of herself and hor allies, the responsibility for causing all the loss' and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected. as the consequence of tho war im- . posed upon them by the aggression of enemy States." While the grand total of damages assessed against Germany may exceed her ability to pay, she undertakes to make compensation for ail damages caused to civilians under 6even main categories(a) 'Damage by personal-injury to civilians caused by acts of war directly or indirectly, (b). Damage caused to civilians by acts of cruelty ordered by the enemy, and to civilians in the occupied territories, (c) Damages caused by maltreatment of prisoners, (d) Damages to Allied peoples (is represented by the pensions and separation allowances capitalised at the signature of this Treaty, (e) Damages to property other than naval or military materials, (f) Damage to civilians by 'being forced to labour, (g) Damages in tho form of levies or fines imposed by the enemy. An Allied Commission may require Germany to give from time to time, by way of guaranty, issues of bonds or other obligations, to cover such claims as aro not otherwise satisfied. In this connection, and,on account'of the total amount of claims, ibond issues are ,presently to be : required of Germany in acknowledgment of its . debt as f0110w520,000,000 marks in gold, payable not later than May 1, 1921, without interest; 40,000,000 marks in gold, bearing 2J per cent, interest, between 1921 and 192G; thereafter fivo per cent., with one per cent, sinking fund, payment beginning in 39215, and an undertaking to deliver <t0,00d,000 . marks in gold, bearing interest at five per cent., under terms to bo fixed by the Commission. Interest on .Germany's debt will bo five per cent, unless otherwise determined by the Commission ,in future. • The War Criminals, 3. Germany refuse.? to accept the trial of tho ex-Kaiser or sauction his extradition. She proposes an International Court, composed of Judges from neutral countries, to determine the share of war criminality of each belligerent.

Treaty' Terms.— I The Allies publicly arraign tho cx-Emperor William II "for a supreme' offence against international morality and tlio sanctity, of treaties."..' Theex-Emperor's surrender is to be asked for, from tho T )utch Government, and a special tribunal is to bo set up. consisting of ono Judge from each of the five Great Powers. Tlio tribunal is to bo guided by the highest principles of international policy, and is to have the duty cf fixing whatever punishment it thinks should bo imposed. Military tribunals aro ' to be set up by the Allies to take persons accused of acts of violation of tho laws and customs of war, and tho German Government is to hand ovci all persons so accused. Similar tribunals are to be set up by any particular Allied Power against whoso nationals criminal acts have been committed. The accused aite to bo entitled to name their own counsel, and the German Government is to undertake to furnish all documents and information the production of which may be necossaiy. The League of Nations. 4. Germany demands immediate admission to tlio League of Nations, and also demands most-favoured-nation treatment for a term of years, and freedom of the tariffs of all nations. Treaty Terms'.—Germany shall not discriminate,, directly or indirectly, against tlio trado of the Allies and associated countries. These provisions will remain in fotc» for five years, unless extended by the Council of tho Loague of Nations. Temporary provision is mado for tho freo entrance into Germany, up to a limited amount, of itlie products of Alsace-Lorraine, Luxemburg, and the German territory ceded to Poland. After six nioiuhs Germany will bo free to Taise her tariff, so long as it is impartially applied to all the Allies, except as regards a fow specified articles, mainly agricultural products, with regard to which tho restriction will extend for a furtiur period of 2J years. Vessels of tho Allies are to enjoy both national and tho "ibost-favoured-natibn" treatment in Germany,for nit least five years. 'iermany is not to impose oil tlio nationals of Allied States, or their property, any restrictions which were not in foico beforo tho war, or any taxes, unless tlioso restrictions and faxes are applied to her own nationals. She is also prevented from imposing restrictions in regard to exerciso of occupations, which are not applicable to all foreigners. These provisions are to be m force for a period of,five years, and if a majority of tho Council ot the I League of Nnltions so decides, for an additional period not exceeding five years. • German nationality shall not c ontinue to attach to any person who has become a national of tin Allied or Associated Statb. The Labour Clauses. 5. Germany finds tho Labour clauses in the Treaty 1 unsatisfactory. The Treaty terms provided for an international conference to be held annually to propose Labour reforms for adoption by tho League of Nations. Appended to the section is an affirmation by tho high contracting parties of the methods ami principles for regulating labour conditions, which all industrial communities'should endeavour to apply, so far as their special circumstances permit. Amongst these artl That labour should not, be regarded , merely as a commodity or article of cominercc; the right of association, for all lawful purposes, for employer as well as for employed; tlio payment ,o the employed of a wage implying a reasonable.standard of life, r.s understood in their time and country; th.e adoption of a,n eight-hour daj, or a 48-hour week, where this has not already been attained; .the adoption of a weekly Test of at least hours, including Sunday, where practicable; the abolition of child labour, nnd tho limitation tf lalwur of tho young, so as to permit of the'continuance of their education and their proper physical development; tho principle of equal pay for men and women for equal work; any legal standard for conditions of labour to have regard, in each country, to tho equitable economic treatment of all workeis resident therein; and the provision by each State of a system of inspection for tho protection of tlio employed, in which women should take part. Rhine Provinces and Saar Basin. G. Germany protests against the occupation of the Rhine provinces, demands the 'Allied withdrawal within six months after peace is concluded. The Saar question must be settled exclusively on an economic basis. Treaty terms—As a guarantee for the execution of the Treaty, the German territory to the west of the Rhine, trgether with tho bridgeheads, will bo occupied by Allied and Assorted troops forNfifteen years. If ,the conditions are faithfully carried out by Germany, certain districts, including the bridgeheads of Cologne, will be evacuated at the expiration of five years. Certain other districts, including the bridgeheads of Coblenz, will bo evacuated after ten years, and the remainder,, including the bridgehead of Mainz, will be ovaouated after fifteen years. If, before tho expiration of fifteen years, Germany complies with all the undertakings resulting from the present Treaty, the occupying forces will be withdrawn immediately. In compensation for the destruction of the coal mines in Northern France, and as payment on account of reparation, Germany is to cede to France the full ownership of the coal mines of the Saar Basin, with their subsidiaries, accessories and facilities. The Basin extends from the frontier of Lorraine, as reannexed, to France; north as far <-s Saint Wendel, including the valley of tho Saar as far as Saar-Holzbach, and, on the east, tho town of Homburg. After fifteen years a plebiscite will bo held by the commuues to ascertain the desires of the population .to the continuance of the existing regime under, the League of Nations, h. union with France, or a union with Germany. The right to voto will belong to all inhabitants over twenty resident therein at the Signature. On opinion being thus expressed tho League will decide the ulti- . mate sovereignty. Alsace-Lorraine. 7. A plebiscite in Alsace-Lorraine is demanded, and if It favours France the latter slio'uld assume a proportion of tho German debt. Treaty Terms.—After the recognition of the moral obligation to repair tho wrong done in .1871 by Germany to France and 'the people of Alsace-Lorraine, the territories ecded to Germany by the Treaty of Frankfort are to ho.restored to France with their frontiers as before 1871, to date from tho signing of tho armistice and to be free of all public debts. Citizenship is to be regulnted hy the detailed provisions'distinguishing those who aro immediately restored to fjill French citizenship, those who havo to mako formal apylieaUmi therefor. . and those for whom naturalisation is open' alter three years. . All public property and all private property cf the German ex-Sovereigns will pass to ji'rance without payment or credit. Danzig. 8. Germany doclines to yield Danzig. Treaty Terms—Danzig and the dis ,; 'ict immediately about it is to 'be constituted into the free city of Danzig under a guarantee of the League of Nations. A I)i"h Commissioner appointed by the League, and resident .at Danzig, shall draw "up a constitution in agreement with the duly-appointed representatives • of the city, and shall deal in the first inslanco with all differences arising between the city and Poland. A Convention, tho terms of which shall be fixed by the fivo Allied and Associated Powers, shall bo concluded between Poland and Danzig, which shall include Danzig within the Polish Customs frontiers, though with a free area in the port; ensure to Poland tho use of all the city's waterways, docks, and other port facilities, the control and administration of tho Vistula, tho whole of the through railway system within tho city, and the postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communications between Poland nnd Danzig; provide against discrimination against the Poles within the city, and place its foreign relations and the diplomatic protection of .its ciTizens abroad in charge of Poland, ,

Reduction of Armaments. 0. Germany agrees to a reduction of. armaments, but asks for a period of transitions and delay, the League of iV it ions to supervise the disarmaments. Treaty Terms—The military terms provide for the demobilisation of tho German armies and the imposition of oilier military restrictions within two months of the signing of the Treaty (as a first step towards international disarmament). The demobilisation of die fortifications must take place within three months. The remainder, and those under construction, must- be broken up by Germany within three months. Within two months the German liaval forces in commission must not exceed six battleships of the Deutschland or Lothringcn (yne, six light cruisers, twelve destroyers, and twelve torpedo boats, or an equal number of ships constructed to replace them. No submarines are to be included. After the expiration of two months the total exclusive personnel of the navy must, not exceed 15,000, including a maximum of 1500 officers and warrant officers. Within two months certain warships, enumerated in the Treaty, and now in German ports, will be surrendered at Allied ports. Within one month all German submarines, salvage vessels, and docks for submarines capable of proceeding under their own power or being towed, must have been handed over at Allied ports.' Germany is to bo allowed to maintain a maximum of one hundred unarmed seaplanes up to October 1, 191!). to be exclusively employed in searching for submarine mines. The entire personnel of the air forces in Germany is to be demobilised within two months, except for a total of ten thousand men, including officers, which may be retained up to October. The manufacture of aircraft and parts of aircraft is forbidden throughout Germany for six months. 'All military and naval aircraft, including dirigibles, and aeronautical material, are to be delivered to tile Allied and Associated Governments within three months, cxcept for ton seaplanes already specified. THE ALLIES' REPLY (Bee. Juna 17, 5.5 p:m.) ' London.. Juno li. An official summary of the Allied ltply to the German counter-proposals has'.been issued. In a covering letter tlio Allies, referring to the German i*votest against a "peace of violence," emphasise the-point that the war was tile greatest crime against humanity ever consciously-committed by.a. nation i-auln:; itself civilised. The Allies also' emphasise Germany's responsibility for plan 'ling and starting the War, in winch seven million men died, and over twenty million men were wounded and suffered. The letter also points tq_ the savage and inhuman manner in which the war was conducted by the German troops. The Allies express, the bolief that they would be false to those who had given their all to save tho freedom of the woild if they consented to. treat .Lie v.-at as anything but 4 crime agaiwt Itumanity. . "Eight Justice is the only possible basis of peace, but it must.ho justice for all—for the dead, tlio. wounded, the orphaned, and the bereaved, for the peoples now struggling under war <iehts exceeding thirty thousand millions sterling, and fur millions property German savagery has spoliated and destroyed. This is why Iho AH l }" Insist, <18 a cardinal feature of the -Treaty, that Germany must undertake to make reparation to itlie very uttermost of her power; that the individuals sponsible for German aggression and outrages during the war must- be hantai over to justice; and that Germany must submit for a few years to certain special disabilities and arrangements, if 'heso things are hardships for German?, she has brought them <jn herself. Somebody must suffer the consequences of the war. Is it to bo Germany, or the- peoples she has wronged? The German revolution represents a great hope for peace and,the new European order in the future, but it cannot affect a settlement ot the war. The revolution was stayed u 11111 the German armies had been defeated and all -hope "of profiting by the war ot conquest had vanished. Tho German people throughout tho war supported the war and shared the responsibility with tb eir Government, aiul they ■ cannot now' protend to having changed their rulers after the war was lost, or lhat it jiist that they should escape the consct|iienc6s of their deeds. The peace the A lies propose is fundamentally .1 peace of justice. Tlio Allies are satisfied that their territorial proposals accord with the agreed basis of peace, and' are necessaij to the maintenance of tho future peace of Europe. The Allies, therefore, are not prepared to modify them except in tlio respects hereinafter laid down. With regard to the economic and financial proposals, the Allies have no intention 01 strangling Germany, or preventing her from taking her proper place 111 international trade and commerce, provided she abides by the Treaty ot leace and abandons her aggressive and exclusive traditions in business. The Allies intend • that Germany shall have fair treatment in the purchase of raw materials and half the goods, subject to (lie temporary provisions mentjoned in tho interesst of the nations which were ravaged by Germany. The Allies desire that the passions of war shall die as soon as possible, and that ail tho nations, including Germany, shall share in the prosperity that shall' come from the honest supply of material needs. In order to make this intention clear, a number of modifications have been made'in the financial and economic clauses of tlio Treaty, but the principles on which the Treitywas drawn up must stand. The Allies are not prepared to modify the reparation proposals, which were designed to make the payment of reparation as easy and convenient as possible, and io be interpreted in that sense, but with a view to arriving as soon as possible at a fixed and definite sum to be payable by Germany they are willing to accord Germany all reasonable facilities to enable her to survey the (devastated regions and make proposals for the settlement of claims. The Allies emphasiso the point that', this covering letter and the attached Memorandum constitute their last word. They have examined the German counter-proposals earnestly and carefully, and consequently have made important modifipations in the Draft Treaty, but in its fundamental outlines lliey stand by tho Treaty, which must bo accepted.or rejected, in its present form. Failing a declaration by the German delegation within five days that they are prepared to sign the Treaty as amended, the armistice will immediately terminate, and the Allies will take steps as they think needful to enforce the terms, x Summarised Points. ■ , Tll the summarised reports of 'their reply, the Allies, referring to the responsibility for the war, emphasise the fact that their views are notv merely based, on the events between July, 1914, and tho outbreak of the war. Autocratic Ger-: many under her rulers' inspiration had been long bent on domination, aggres-. sion, and war. The essential truth of the Allied charges is admitted by tho German revolution. The 'Allies consider that tho punishment of those principally responsible for so much world-wide misery and suffering is essential to justice, and to net as a deterrent to' other rulers. The Allies cannot agree to the trial of the guilty by their own accomplices. The Kaiser is arraigned as a matter of high international policy. The accused will lie ensured full' rights and liberties regarding his defence, in order that the-judgment will bo of a most solemn and judicial character. , ,1 1, The Allies refuto the German Delegations endeavour, to prove that the, peace Treaty constitutes a 'breach of tho basis of peace in accordance with tho AVilsonian principles; ' , The Allies see 110 reason why Germany cannot become a member of League of Nations in the early fiituro if her acts promise the ; necessary conditlo, They (rfe prepared to accord guarantees of protection to tlm German minor!-' tICS Tho tram 'Lceptance of the disarmament terms'will hasten 1 the general re-('U°As'regard™tlwCEuiwa-n political clauses, it is pointed out that the German Noto misconstrued the Snar Basin provisions. The Delegations lefusal to carrj ofct a reparation which will have tho character of punishment, appears to exclude tho eoncention t.lmt justice is essential m any settlement; s The Allies will not admit a plebiscite for Alsace-Lorraint.; After defending the cardinal guiding principles regarding the eastern frontieis of Gnrnianv the Allies express their roadmess, in order to eliminate any xio6sibloßee. to recLito the question'tlmt the historical frontier between Pomerania and West Prussia shall be respected, and that no part of Gorman}, OSO tho former Kingdom of Poland,. shall be included in restored Poland. • The Allies also point out that the isolation of Last Irussia, Germany iefuses to accept, has existed for centuries. It is not original German land, but a colony. Danzig was not included in Poland because it is Goinmn. Ihe •Allies have decided that Upper Silesia shall not immediately be ceded; to Poland. Kl not he done till after a plebiscite is.taken under Allied control lie main point of the whole settlement is the genuine intexest of the inhabitants, not the satisfaction of national pride. Germans transferred to Poland arc exPlCt The S Memel district shall be transferred to'tho Allies, as the status of the Lithuanian territories has'not yet been established. Tlio "two articles regarding Heligoland livust bo accepted unconditionally, and ■they will be executed under the. supervision of an Allied Commission. Kegardtng the ex-German colonies, the Allies state that they have placed tlio native populations' interests before every other . consideration. Germany s subordination of native interests to her own ambitions has been revealed too completely lo admit of the Allies consenting to make a second experiment and risk, ing the fate of thirteen or fourteen millions of natives Moreover the Allies were bound to safeguard their security against the establishment of bases from which the world's trade could be threatened. The loss of Germany s colonies need not hinder her development. Tho trade of the German colonies has never represented more than a very small -fi action of her total jade one-half per cent of her" imports and exports In IMS. Of the total co onial products imported by Germany only 3 per cent, came from her own colonies, ami for nnluinl reasons the German colonies were not capable 0 accommodating more than a very small proportion of German diligent* The conditions laid down had been determined upon in accordance with international law and tho natnes .

tere Th' 0 same applies to the regulation of German property in-. China. The Allies cannot agreo to the alter ation of the mam nnhtaiy conditions Nevertheless ihov are billing to reduce the German Army more gradually than t ' whinlated 11 am el v to a mdsimum of t,vo hundred thousand within and guns shall be similarly proportioned, period foi the demobilisation of the fortications is modified. , , . , ■. The German naval proposals cannot he entertained. The imal articles bavin* tell carefully fnmed, must be accepted unconditionall}. M negotiations are necessary on this point. ... The Allies state that the German delegates have misunderstood or misinterpreted the reparation proposals. The Allies will welcome a German proposal to creato a, commission to co-operate wirli the Allied Commission. Germanj will l,e invited to present evidence and submit special reparation proposals-within four months fi'om the signature of the Peace .Treaty. The proposals par iculnrly acceptable shall be those specifying a Gorman offer of a lump sum in settlement of the 4holo or part of the liability,. or an offer o repair nart or the who e of anv damaged district, or the offer of the use of labour for that purpose. Tliorefore, inspection facilities will be granted. On these matters,the German offeis must be precise, and devoid of any ambiguity, but the categories and reparationclause? are indisputable. Tho Allies, without m any way committing themselves now, will within two months reply to any proposals.-Aus.-R.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter,