The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-06-23
ARGUED
To LAST
MINUTE
Germans Extension of
Time Ii 8 s Id Reserva-
tions ss e Signing
atty.
GIVEN RIM ANSWER
Told by clemenceau That Time for
Discussion Had Passed and
No Changes Would be
Made.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service ]
PARIS, June 23.-The allies prompt
ly refused a request for forty Eight
hour extension of the time limit for
acceptance of the peace treaty, re-
ceived from the Germans this morn
ing. (The seven day limit expires at
seven o'clock this evening" p. m.
New York time.)
Previously the allies had received
a note from Gustav Adolph Bauer. the
new German chancellor, saying Ger
many would sign the treaty because
certain reservations.
To this note the allies replied that
the time for discussion had passed
and that Germany must accept the
terms without qualification or reser-
vation.
Rauer's note, which was directed to
Premier Clemenceau as chairman of
the allied peace commission, declined
responsibility for what might happen
in Poland, and what is bound to hap
pen when the impossibility of carry
ing out the conditions comes up"
1t added, however, that Germany
will sign "as she is imposed by force"
The note refused to admit that Ger
many was the author of the war, de-
clared she would not accept the article
compelling her to give up persons
charged with war crimes and request
ed that the treaty be re-examined
within two years
Clemenceau replied: There re-
main less than twenty-four hours. The
allies are constrained to say the time
for discussion has passed. Germany
must accept the terms without quail
fication or reservation. We shall re-
quire from the representative of Ger
many an unequivccal decision Of their
purpose to sign and accept or not, the
whole of the final treaty. Germany is
responsible for every stipulation after
her signature"
The big three met at Premier Lloyd
Georges residence at nine o'clock this
morning and remained in session for
half an hour Announcement of re-
lection of the request for extension
of the time limit was made after the
group adjourned.
The German note regarding reser-
vations, dated at Weimar June 2l,
after setting forth in detail the al
legged necessity for such reservations
advanced these conclusions:
THE government of the German re-
public is ready to sign the treaty OF
peace, without, however, recognizing
| thereby that the German people was
the author Of the war and without
undertaking any responsibility for de
| livering persons in accordance with
articles 227 to 230 of the treaty of
peace"
Clemenceau's reply in full stated:
"The allied and associated powers
have considered the notes Of the Ger
man delegation of even date, and IN
view of the shortness of time remain
ing, feel it their duty to reply at once.
| or the time within which the German
! government must make their final de
cision of signature of treaty less than
! twenty-four hours remain. The allied
and associated governments have civ
en- fullest consideration to all Of the
representations hitherto made by the
German government with regard to the
treaty have replied with complete
! frankness and have made such con-
cessions as they thought Just to maize
and the present note Of the German
delegation presents no arguments 1or
consideration not already examined
1.-THE allied and associated govern
ments therefore feel constrained to
say that the time for discussion has
passed. They can accept or acknowl'
edge no qualifications or reservations
and must require of the German rep
resentatives an unequivocal decision
as to their purpose to sign and accept
as a whole or not to sign and accept
the treaty as finally formulated. After
the signature the allied and associated
powers must hold Germany respon
l (Contirued on page "a