GERMAN NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10292, 29 May 1919, Page 5

GERMAN NOTES

ON ECONOMIC AND OTHER QUESTIONS FRENCH PREMIER'S REPLY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and NfZ.~ Cttbl© - Association. (Received May 28, 8 p.m.) PARIS, May M.’' ” M. Olemenceau, -in reply to the- German Note asking ■ for'-the repatriation of . prisoners, _ th O' Allies_ cannot release those guilty of crimes! He was not aware that any alleviation of their position was possible, since their trWrtment had always observed the laiwb of humanity. "Allies'restore their personal' when the prisoners were repatriateo. He agrees to the appointment of a mixed u commission when. Peace\is signed, but says he must refuse 'boinplete' reciEWity i n the return of •view! of the treatment rwrfVjM'yby.'thei Allies interned in'Gerimhy during the war. - (Received May 28, 8 p.m.) PARIS, May 23. Replying to Count Rantzau's Note regarding economic questions, M. Olemenceau says:- The Note ignores the origins and results of the war. The Allies were, only asking Germany td hand over four million-tons 11 eflshii)--; ping, whereas Germany had sunk twelve, millions during the war- M. Olemenceau admits that important wheat and potato areas have 1 'Been' taken from Germany,' but these areas' would remain free to export to Germany. -■ Replying to complaints' - about " lives' being lost owing to the blockade, M." Olemenceau reminds ■ theGenUans tKSfc there wore greater losses of caused by their ruthless aggsrfessiops.i,,:, f _ ■The reply concludes: ‘‘Nothing can prevent Germany regaining a position of prosperity in Europe. Her territories have suffered' less during the war than those of other belligerents. Germany possesses resources iritaot, which, together with importations, should suffice to reconstitute her. Moreover, the great reduction-.in.,arma-ments wiir mean 1 huge economy.' The Germans’ sufferings arise, not from the., conditions of peace, blit front 'this acte of those who provoked and prolonged the war, the authors*of which will/not be able to escape its just consequences.”