Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-10
Council of Four Decides He Was
Responsible for War-Terms
of Reparation for War Dam.
ages Are Fixed
STEPS TOWARD PEACE
Germany Must Pny $4,000. .OOO.OOO with
in Two Years and balance, to he
Fixed by Inter-AIlied Commission,
Within Period Of Thirty Years

Paris. April 0. tBy the Associated Press)
The responsibility of the German En-.
peror for the war and the means for
bringing him to trial by one of the allied
governments. probably Belgium, have
been definitely determined upon by the
Council of Four. This follows the definite
decision on the terms of reparations for
war damages, whereby 5000 O0O, 900 must
be paid within the next two years. and
an interallied commission assess the re-
naming damage for period of thirty
years. beginning May l. 1921.
Thus. two of the great obstacles which
stood in the path of the rapid attainment
or peace have been removed within the
last twenty-four hours, and the period of
extreme tension over the inaction and
the failure to secure tangible results. is
succeeded by revived confidence oveI
the great advance made towards a per-
manent settlement.
How far these results are due to the
intimations conveyed by the summonins
10 france of the United States transport
george Washington by President Wilson
Is only conjectural. But ii is at least a
coincidence that he main difficulties
began to dissolved from the time that his
decision became known
The exact nature of these difficulties
are not disclosed. Friends of the Presi-
oent maintain that they were largely of
minor character, not involving large
principles. though the Presidents adher-
ence to his IA points as the rigid limi-
tation OF the scope of action appears to
have run all through the deliberations
during the tense period Of the last few
days.
While the tension has been greatly re-
duced. it is not entirely removed, as
much depends on the continuation of
progress with respect to the remaining
obstacles, notably the Sarre valley. the
Rhine frontier, the Adriatic issue and a
number of lesser issues which are still
short of final agreement
The agreement on RESPONSIBILITIES for
the war is understood to have been a COM
promise between different reports pre-
sented by the commission. of which Sec
retary Lansing is chairman. There was
a. practical agreement on the general
responsibility Of the German Emperor
for bringing on the war, but division
occurred on whether it was feasible to
bring him to justice before an interna.
tional tribunal.
The French and British view favored
a tribunal but the American view, it is
understood. favored moral indictment
without recourse to prosecution owing
to the lack Of an international law as a
basis for trial before an international
court.
Belgium. on which the war fell first
and heaviest is reported to have
taken a view much similar to that OF
the United States. while Japan and
Italy were partially in accord with
the American view.
1t was owing to these divergent
yiav nivnte that
new plan. whereby one of the allied
nations. probably Belgium. would
initiate prosecution against the
former emperor and others RESPONSE
BILE for the breach of treaties, the in
vasion of territory and the destruc-
tion directed against this country and
leading to more general spread Of
the war. The exact nature of the
agreement is not disclosed but the
foregoing is believed to cover the
main lines.
The text as finally approved on re-
parations specifies that the enemy
countries must admit responsibility
for all loss and damage to allied and
associated nations and their citizens
caused by the unjustfiable aggres-
sion. But in view of the inability Of
the enemy countries fully to recon-
pense these losses. the clause states
an inter-allied commission will as
sess the losses on a just basis for 30
years beginning May I, 1921. with
an initial payment of $4,000, ,OO0, 900.
Germany Is to pay the entire cost
of the commission and staff during
the 80 years of operations. The first
payment is to be credited against Ger
many's obligation to pay for the main
tainance of the allied troops in the
regions. and the second
priority is for the payment of food
relief furnished to Germany.