THE ALLIES' REPLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 227, 19 June 1919, Page 5

THE ALLIES' REPLY

ADDITIONAL POINTS

FURliiffi DELAY IMPOSSIBLE THE CRIME AND THE PUNISHMENT (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, June 14. The Allies criticise Germany's vague mention of 5,000,000,000 sterling in connection with reparation, and point out that no interest and no substantial payment are offered until 1927, ' after which time undefined instalments continue for half a century. The present value of such nriuneul is small. The Allies, however, recognising (he mutual desirableness of the resumption of German industry, are. prepared to afford Germany commercial facilities for that purposo on conditions which cannot be laid down in advance, and subject to the special economic situation created for the Allies by German aggression. Meanwhile the draft Treaty must be accepted as definitive and signed. The Allies cannot longer delay to assure their security. Germany cannot afford to deny her population the offer of peace, and the Reparation Commission must boffin its work. The only question open r,ow is how best to execute the provisions of the Treaty. The Allies maintain the right to obtain payment for reparation, etc., in priority of settlement of all other German debts, but will approve exceptions. Germany must bear the cost of the military occupation of Rhineland, which is an essential guarantee. Germany cannot be credited with the value of captured war material, but an important concession will be the recognition as- a prior charge upon German nsscte of the payment for food eupplies and raw materials. Germany's pre-war debt will bo divided in due proportion between Germany and the ceded territories, but France cannot be required to assume part of the public debt for Alsace-Lorraine. Poland is also exempted.

The German colonies, which have not paid their way, cannot possibly aESunie part of the German debt, nor can a mandatory State be required to do so. ■

Germany Trill bo compelled to alienp.te n greater part of her foreign securities, and no longer continue intimately involved in the financial and economic life of the Allies or of Russia. Owing to Germany's illegal acts many of the Allies are in a state of economic inferiority, and therefore certain non-recipro-cal conditions in the matter of commercial exchanges have been imposed for the minimum of five years. Reciprocity, however, will bo applied whenever possible.

The Allies accept a few changes regarding ports, waterways, and railways. For examnle. free transit through Poland between East Prussia and the rest of Germany.—Aus.-N./;. Cable Assn. THE CRIME ANdThE PUNISHMENT PIiESS APPLAUDS ALLIES' REPLY. London, June 17. The newspapers applaud the Allied reply, declaring that it does not. alter the essential points of the Treaty, but justifies the severity of. the punishment of the crime.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A SHIPPING CONCESSION USB OF SHIPS F6.H TWO YEARS.. Paris, June 17. The /.Hies have conceded Germany the use of her merchant ships for two years if she signs the peace, terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '

. V ANTI-GERMAN DEMONSTRATION Paris, June 17. A demonstration against tho German delegates departing from Veraaillies resulted in Dr. Melchior and a woman secretary being slightly injured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesu. . HUNGER WILL~FORCE THEIR HAND London, June 17. . The "Daily Express" correspondent at Berlin says the fond problem, if nothing else, will compel 'Germany to sign peace. Crowds are plundering the hotels, and searching houses, collecting vast quantities of food. The Guards refused to interfere.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AFTErTeACE—REST M. CLEMENCEAU' ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT. New York. June 17 The New York "Evening correspondent at Paris learns that M. Clemenceau told the' French Labour leaders that ho would resign after peace had been signed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.