The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 12, 1919. ERADICATING WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 12, 1919. ERADICATING WAR.

Although there are many points in the peace treaty that lend themselves to destructive criticism, it is neither politic nor advisable to judge the whole effort by allowing possible defects to influence the verdict on what, after all, is one of the most remarkable compilations on record. The closer the text is reviewed the more apparent becomes the fact that the delegates concentrated their main attention on the means which were most likely to secure the future peace of the world. Obviously this was deemed to be the chief work of the Conference, and the clauses dealing with the naval, military and air forces of Germany bear eloquent testimony to the unanimity wherewith the delegates were actuated in the endeavor to make war on the part of Germany in the future a matter of impossibility. Whatever difference of opinion there may be as to the reparation provisions, there would seem to be no room for improvement in the naval and military terms imposed on the enemy. They are .sufficiently drastic to destroy Germany's fighting power for the next hundred years, [provided the necessary measures are taken to enforce striot obsei'v-

ance. It was a foregone conclusion that there would be compromises on other points, but in considering the treaty as a whole -rfne weight must be given to the TSct that from the Allies' point of I view in the recent military struggTe'it was a war against war, and that victory on their part was to inaugurate an era of peace. For this ideal unparalleled sacrifices were made, and though it is only consonant with justice that due punishment should be imposed on Germany, yet in considering the reparation terms we should not lose sight of the fact that the naval and military terms are, to a nation like Germany, most bitter and humiliating. The German Empire was created by the sword, and by the same weapon has been destroyed. To-day there is no German Empire, no Emperor—not even a nation. In place of military power and large colonial possessions there is civil war, no colonies, a mere shadow of an army, no fleet or submarines, no aircraft —not even a semblance of power Only arrogance and truculency remain to bear testimony to the de parted glory and pride of the pan Germanism which dared to challenge the world. Compared with a punishment of this drastic nature the mere payment of money for indemnities or reparation is trivial, though necessary to make the people feel, both now and hereafter, their responsibility for following the lead of ambitious and bloodthirsty tyrants. Count Rantzau's disgraceful conduct on receiving the peace terms exemplifies how deeply the cut of the Al--1 lies' whip is scoring the flesh of the i brutal militarists. It will bite deeper still when those responsible > for the crimes committed during the war are brought to the bar of i justice. There is no need to dwell upon the impeaeement and trial of the ex-Kaiser. That he should he handed over and tried is only 1 right and fitting, but in the case of the other criminals they should receive short shrift and no mercy; , hence it is satisfactory to find that | military tribunals will decide their fate. In connection with the reparation clauses, as to which there is bound to be considerable dif- . ference of opinion, it should be noted that Germany is called upon , to accept, on behalf of herself and her allies, the responsibility far causing "all the loss and damag? to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed on ; them by the aggression of the enemy States." While this is an admission of liability for all war costs, and may possibly be made the subject of further claims in the event of haggling over terms, Germany is now only called upon to make compensation under seven main headings, which chiefly affect civilians, prisoners of war and ; people in the r 'upied territories, but sub-clause il d" of section 8 provides for the payment to Allied peoples of damages represented by pensions and separation allowances capitalised at the signature of the treaty. Under this claust the Dominion would be entitled to ft very considerable sum. Britain and her allies did not enter the war in order to get what they eould out of it, so that although they might reasonably expect to be relieved of the cost of the war, it would not be politic to place on Germany a greater load than she could carry, and the commission which will have charge of the reparation payments by Germany must be trusted to carry out the work fearlessly and That the reparation „>?his were a compromise is beyond question, but they must be loyally acquiesced in by all the Allies, even though sacrifices are entailed thereby. The restoration of shipping losses appears to be provided for satisfactorily, on the principle of ton per ton per class, involving the surrender to the Allies of all the German merchant ships of 1600 ions gross and upwards, one half of her ships between 1600 and 1000 tons, and a quarter of the smaller vessels and trawlers. Besides this, Germany is to supply new ships amounting to 200,000 tons per annum for the next five years, besides restoring or providing substitutes for all ships used for inland navigation and taken by Germany from the Allies. The Reparation Commission is also in charge of this work, and should see that the Allies secure their proper share, not only of these restorations, but of all the interned ships which have been seized. It is aiso satisfactory to find that Germany is to disgorge all loot, and to hand over an equivalent, of art treasures for those destroyed, besides supplying France and Belgium with fixed quantities of coal. The financial clauses of the treaty appear to have been framed with justice and care. Especially is this the case with regard to France being freed from all liability in respect of Germany's pre-war debt as regards Alsace-Lorraine, and relievi ing Poland from debts incurred , by Germany for the oppression of Poland. The Reparation Committee is practically in charge of these • financial arrangements affect in £ : ceded territories, and its duties : will certainly be onerous. The , i economic, industrial and transport, s |clauses appear to be framed on . I sound lines, the aim being to se-

cure the greatest benefit for the largest number; to prevent differential treatment, and to pronote, as far as possible, unity among the nations.- Whether the provisions will stand the working strain remains to be seen, but the broad principle is toleration arid equal rights; yet it is too much to expect the excellent intent-ions to be immune from trouble.