The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1920. PEACE RATIFICATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1920. PEACE RATIFICATION.

The ratification by Germany of what will probably be called in history the Treaty of Versailles, and the signature of the protocol, enable the provisions of the Treaty to take effect immediately. The long delay lias been caused by Germany, but the end has been reached, and although the American Senate is still holding up the final act of assent, such action will not affect the Treaty becoming operative. It was only to be expected that the German authorities would use their utmost endeavors to bargain for better terms. They have gained a little, but the mere fact of the Allies giving them any consideration at all demonstrates that they were actuated by the highest and best principles, and their 1 niency must be regarded as a sign of strength, not weakness. Automatically the League of Nations be-* comes an established institution, with illimitable possibilities, and high hopes of usefulness in preserving peace and amity among the nations. As a sequence to peace ratifications, the principle of self-determination comes into force in Upper Silesia, East Prussia, Sehleswig, and other places where, in due course, plebiscites will be taken on the question of future nationality. France is particularly interested in the coal deposits of the Sarre Valley, which now becomes her property, though under the control of a Council, while special provision is made for the people in this district, after the lapse of fifteen years, exercising the privilege of settling. their political status. The Allies will also control the Baltic ports of Memel and Dantzig, besides exercising other functions for the welfare of the territory which has been taken from the control of Germany. It is, however, on the carrying out by Germany of the military clauses of the Treaty that interest chiefly centres, for the reason that therein lies Europe's greatest safeguard, hence the absolute necessity for the Allies insisting on the performance of these provisions by Germany with absolute strictness and thoroughness. as well as within the time limit. Germany's army is limited to 100,000 officers and men, and she is tied down as to armaments and munition factories, besides being compelled to reduce her navy and its personnel, and to dismantle all fortifications within fifty kilometres of the Rhine. The safety of France is not confined to the clipping of Germany's claws, but is supported by an An-glo-American agreement of armed assistance, if needed in the future. Germany has heavy obligations in connection with reparation charges and indemnities, besides handing over shipping, coal, stock and other goods, the extent of which has yet to be decided. There are also a number of measures relating to trade and commerce at German ports that will now come into operation, All these matters signify that the period of treating Germany as an enemy is over, and that henceforth she is under probation, so that on the manner of her performance of her obligations will depend the building up of her future relations with the Allies. There remains one duty which the Allies have yet to perform, namely, the trial and punishment of the war criminals, whose surrender is provided for in the treaty. ■ The carrying out of this provision will be a test of German good faith. The obligation on the German Government is to deliver up the criminals named by the Allies, and if, as suggested by Professor Schnemann, the Allied are called upon to arrest the "wanted" men, the reply should be short, sharp and decisive that Germany must do that work herself, or suffer the consequences of breaking the Treaty. Although it is a relief to have the Treaty ratified, the Allies' troubles are by no means over, nor can the League of Nations very well start its career without America. The Allies must still be patient and not devoid of hope; above all they must be vigilant, and keep their powder dry.