DRASTIC TERMS IMPOSED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10275, 9 May 1919, Page 5

DRASTIC TERMS IMPOSED

ENEMY’S POWER SMASHED NOTHING LEFT BUT SUBMISSION r SUMMARY OF HISTORIC DOCUMENT By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright. Australian and Jscw Zeaisud Cable Association. (Received May 8, 5.5 p.m.) 1 LONDON, May‘ 7. Tixa followng is the official summary of the Peace Treaty : The Treaty consists of a descriptive introduction, a pre* amble, and fifteen sections. ' The draft of the Treaty of Peace is designed, in the first instance, to set forth the conditions upon which, alone, the Allied and associated Powers will make peace with Germany; and, in the second place, to establish those international arrangements which the Allies have devised for the prevention of wars in future, and the betterment of mankind. . For this latter reason it includes the Covenant of the League of Nations, and the International Labour Convention. The draft Treaty, however, docs not deal, except incidentally, with the problems arising out of the liquidation of the Austrian Empire, nor with the territories of enomy Powers, Turkey, and Bulgaria, ■ except in-so-far as it binds Germany to accept whatever subsequent settlement may be decided upon by the Allies, in the case . of these belligerents. The Treaty is divided into fifteen sections. The First Section contains the Covenant of the League of Nations, to which functions are assigned in various places by the Treaty. ~ The Second Section describes the geographical frontiers l of Germany, beginning at the north-eastern point of the present Belgian frontier. The Third Section, which consists of twelve clauses, binds the Germans to accept the political changes in Europe brought about by the Treaty. It establishes two new States,' Czecho-Slo-vakia and Poland, and provides for their recognition. It revises the basis of Belgian sovereignty ; alters the boundaries of Belgium ; establishes new systems of government in Luxembourg i and thASaar Basin-; provides for possible additions ®f "territory to • - Denmark; binds Germany to recognise the independence of German Austria, and to accept the conditions to be laid down as to those States or Governments which have created..them- . selves §ince the Russian revolution. The Fourth Section deals with the political reconstruction of territories outside Europe affected by the war. It contains , a general renunciation on the part of Germany of her possessions and rights abroad. By it she yields her colonies to the -,Allies,, together with her rights in Africa under the_var_ious ia-—-terrrational4 G’oaVentions, particularly the Berlin Act of 1885 and the Brussels Act of 1895, which have, regulated-European enterprise in Tropical Africa. - This section givesrinternational recognition to the British Protectorate in - Egypt' a'nd 'anxiuls the Act of Algeciras, which was one step in the German policy of aggression which led to the war. . The Fifth Section sets-forth the military, naval,’'and air ■ conditions of peace, limits the size of the German army and ■ navy, and abolishes compulsory recruiting in Germany, as the The Sixth Section imposes on all the signatory Powers the obligations to maintain all the graves of fallen soldiers, and regulates the return of prisoners of war. The Seventh Section deals with responsibilities and punishment, and provides, for the trial of the ex-Emperor William. The Eighth Section sots forth the reparation and restitution to be made by Germany, and contains special provisions relating to documents and war trophies seized - by the Germans in earlier wars. . _pe Ninth Section,: which is of great length and complexity, contains economic provisions, and re-establishes various non-political international treaties and conventions which in such matters as posts and telegraphs and sanitary regulations have been binding on civilised Powers before the war. Attached to this section is a special jyovision to. regulate the traffic of opium and similar drugs. ■ ■ ‘ The Eleventh Section deals with aerial navigation. The Twelfth Section contains clauses dealing with the international control of ports, canals, rivers, and railways, with special provision for the Kiel Canal. J ’ The Thirteenth Section contains the Labour Convention. The Section contains guarantees for the execution or the Treaty. The Fifteenth Sectionis made up of a series of miscel- ' trefltff °f aUSeS ’ mcl ?3ing the recognition of other subsequent treaties of peace, and the confirmation of Prize Court decisions. The final clauses Seal with the ratification and the date of “ t ?, force of tue Treaty, both the French and English texts of which are recognised as authentic. • ' °