The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1919. THE TERMS OF PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1919. THE TERMS OF PEACE.

To those who have followed the proceedings at the Peace Conference, and noted the various cabled reports connected therewith, the publication of, the terms of peace will contain few, if any, surprises. The treaty may be regarded primarily as the carefully considered judgment and sentence of the Allies (including America) on the crimes committed by Germany, together with drastic measures for preventing any possible attempt in the future by Germany or any other Power or combination of nations to wage war upon civilisation. The day of reckoning has arrived, and Germany now knows the penalties she has incurred through her most unjustifiable and criminal action in attempting to dominate the world by force. If there should be any who consider that the terms are harsh and drastic, let them bear in mind what the terms of peace would have been had the Central Powers been the victors instead of the vanquished, and then the terms now set forth will appear to be almost merciful and lenient. Justice demands that the authors of the war shall make full reparation, and that the perpetrators of crimes committed shall be punished. The guilty must pay, and the penalties must he such as to mark the nature of the crimes and act as a deterrent in the future. No such far-reaching terms have ever before been framed at the close of any war, and if the League of Nations becomes what its authors intend, then there will never again be any need for either wars or peace treaties. By itself, however, the League would not have sufficed to secure permanent peace. It was imperative that, Germany should be rendered impotent, and that punitive measures should be part of the settlement. Even a casual perusal of the text of the peace treaty clearly shows that an honest and conscientious endeavor has been made to deal with the enemy with the strictest sense of justice to those who have suffered at that enemy's hands. Care has been taken to prevent crushing Germany ; yet making the nation feel the enormity of the crimes for j which it is responsible It will be noticed that no mention is made of "indemnities," merely "reparation" being provided for. That, of course, is a concession to sentiment, but a concession that indicates the temperate spirit in which the terms have been defined. < It «lso does away with what might have proved to be a stumbling block to the signing of the treaty by Germany, while "reparation" can be made sufficiently elastic to ensure all but the actual cost of carrying on the war being obtainable from the enemy. The wisdom of incorporating the League of Nations iu the terms,' and giving it first place after the prt Amble, is at once apparent, for thereby is provided a convenient resting place for all matters that remain unsettled, especially in connection with territorial questions. The readjustment of the map of Europe and the abrogation of treaties made by Germany in the past with regard to various territories pre-

sent no new features, the general idea being to safeguard the various nations and secure their independence. This is particularly lie case with regard to Poland, uithuania, Czecho-Slovakia, Belgium and France. The cession to France of the full ownership of the Saar basin coal mines, in compensation for the destruction of the coal mines in northern France, is an act of justice that should be universally approved, the conditions laid dowh being fair and reasonable, the inhabitants retaining their nationality, but being governed by the League of Nations, due provision being made for local requirements, as well as for a change of government after fifteen years, and for redemption of the mines. Equally satisfactory are the arrangements connected with the restoration to France of Alsace-Lorraine, the administration of the ports of Kiel and Strasburg by a French administrator, under the Central Rhine Commission. Among the more important matters of a territorial nature are the boundaries of Poland, the constitution of Danzig ' into a free port, the settlement di the Schleswig question, the destruction of the Heligoland forts and military establishments, safeguarding Russian rights, and the renunciation by Germany of all rights to territory outside Europe, including her colonies and Morocco, China. Siam, Liberia. In connection with Germany's recognition of the British protectorate over Egypt, it is satisfactory to note that Germany has to surrender to Britain her powers given by the late Sultan of Turkey for securing the free navigation of the Suez Canal. The cession to Japan of all German rights and privileges in connection with Kiaochou and Shantung is also a proper provision. The naval, military and air clauses are already well known. They are designed to eliminate the spirit of militarism iu Germany, so as to prevent war in the future; and are evidence of the determination of the Allies to keep the Germans confined to their own territory. Other features of the treaty afford matter for further comment.