The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-05-08
REPLY IS
EXPECTED
PROMPT
Germany Has Two Weeks
Limit to Discuss Terms Of
Peace Treaty Delivered
Yesterday.
NO DELAY IN ANSWER
Plans Made to strengthen Blockade
Ia Case Effort 10 Put
Forth at Re-
sIstance.
NO DELAY IN ANSWER
[By Fred s. Ferguson, United Press
Staff Correspondent1

IBy Fred 8. Ferguson, United Press
Staff Correspondent
PARIS, May 8.-That Germany will
make known her decision regarding
the peace treaty well within the f1f'
teen days limit for discussion, was
the opinion that prevailed in allied
circles today.
Already reduced to virtual military
and naval impotence. the Germans
additionally face the prospect OF eco
nomic annihilation IL they dare TO re-
fuse the terms presented to them at
Versailles yesterday afternoon. The
blockade division Of the supreme eco
nomic council under direction OF the
"big three has begun preparation OF
plans under which an even more
rigorous blockade than obtained dur
ing the war will be clamped down
ON Germany In the event Of her defi-
ance.
Premier Clemenc eau, in his speech
yesterday, made plain that the allies
are prepared to sign the treaty as
soon as the Germans make known
their decision, regardless of the day
this occurs. "The German plenipo-
tentiaries know that they have the
maximum period OF fifteen days with
in which to present in English and
French their written observations on
the whole of the treaty. he said
Before the expiration Of the afore-
said period the German delegates
will be entitled to send their reply
on particular headings Of the treaty
or to ask questions regarding them.
after having examined the obser-
vations presented, the supreme coun-
Gil Chg four) will send their answer
in writing to the German delegation
and determine the period within
which the final answer must be given
by this delegation.
'I wish to add that when we re-
ceive any observations from the Ger
man delegation on any point Of the
treaty, we shall not wait until the
end of the fifteen days to give our
answer. We shall at once proceed
in the way indicated in this docu-
ment."
The reply of Foreign Minister
Bro rockdorff-Rantzau, head Of the Ger
man commission, was of much great
er length than had been anticipated.
Possibly the most sensational portion
of his speech was virtual demand
for immediate admission Of Germany
into the league of nation.
Only II the gates of the league OF
nations are thrown open to all who
are of good will, can the aim be
attained and the dead of this war
will not have died in vain" he de-
clared.
"a peace which may not be de-
Tended in the name of right always
calls forth new resistance. Nobody
will be capable Of subscribing to 1t
with good conscience, for 1t will not
be possible OF fulfillment. Nobody
could be able to take upon himself
the guarantee of its execution which
ought to lie In its signature"
Shortly after conclusion OF the
meeting at the Trianon Palace hotel,
official announcement was made of
the "big threes" decision regarding
disposition Of mandatories over for
mer German colonies. under the
league of nations.
Great Britain and France will make
Joint recommendation to the league
Of nations regarding the future Of
Togoland and the CAMERON.
The British will exercise mandate
over German East Africa and Pleas
ent island.
Japan will control the German Paci-
fc islands north of the equator.
German colonies will be apportion-
cd among British dominions as fol-
lows:
German Southwest Africa to the
Union of South Africa.
German Samoan islands to New
Zealand.
German Pacific islands south of the
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