New-York tribune., 1919-06-16

of shipping, but she is called upon to
deliver up her entire overseas feet
with all tonnage which happened to be
in enemy harbors at the beginning of
the war. Further, the allies refuse to
recognize the decisions of German
prize courts or to consider German
claims for damages, while German sea-
ports are deliberately weakened by a
numbc of claims so that recon
structed German mercantile fleet will
( encounter totally unfair conditions in
traffic
The German submarine cables are to
be taken away Germany's foreign
trade is to be excluded from all kind,
of activity. Germany is called upon to
violate the Egyptian right to self
determination by recognizing the Brit
privileges acquired in Russia since
August, 1914, are annulled, and many
other foreign rights are left in
jeopardy. The Allies have proposed
economic and financial provisions
which put Germany under continued
disadvantage. and they reserve to
themselves the right to take excep-
tional war measures in regard to Ger
man rights, properties and interests
abroad, SO that German citizens will
be placed in an unbearable state of
uncertainty.
The German delegates cannot recon-
cile such provisions with the principles
Of impartial justice. They may offer
great advantages to rival merchants,
but do nothing toward repairing the
damage which Germany has under
taken to make good. 1t is only natural
that the German people should now be-
lievc that the Allies intend to stamp
out German commercial competition
The German delegates lay great stress
on the necessity of granting full and
reciprocal freedom of action whenever
possible, and outline the proposals re-
peatcd in the following chapter.
CHAPTER 4-REPARATION
Germany accepts the obligation to pay
fo all damages sustained by the civil
populations in the occupied parts of
Belgium and France, inasmuch as she
should still be responsible for liabll-
ties incurred.
They, therefore, make a counter pro-
posal that an impartial hearing of the
colonial question should take place be-
fore special committee.
Germany claims that, though justified
in demanding the restoration of her
colonies, she is ready to administer
them according to the principles of the
league of nations if league is formed
which she can enter at once as a men,
ber with equal privileges.
The eleventh section AGREES to the
remuneration of German rights and
privileges regarding Kiao- chau and
brought upon them the terrors of war
by a breach of international law
through the violation Of Belgian neu-
tralty. She opposes reparation for
other occupied territories in Italy,
Montenegro, Serbia, .Rumania and Po-
land, as no attack in contradiction to
international law was involved. She
voluntarily accepts responsibility for
Belgians loans, but claims that the
Allies have far exceeded in the cate
gories of damages named in the draft
treaty the agreements entered into at
the armistice, especially in holding
Germany responsible for losses to
civilians outside the occupied terri
tories, to the states themselves, to
military persons and in losses caused
by Germany's allies.
Germany contests certain specific re-
| sponsibilities, particularly as to the
costs of an army of occupation, which
she considers both unnecessary and
uneconomc She cannot accept the
reparation commission as outlined, as
the giving Of such dictatorial powers
would mean a remuneration of SOW
eighty. The commission would be
both party and judge, and the greater
part of the reparations could be col
lected only by force. A German COM
mission is therefore proposed for CO.
operation with this commission, any
disagreement to be finally decided by
mixed court of arbitration under neu-
tral presidency. Germany is anxious to
cooperate in the restoration of France
and Belgium, to which end proposals
shortly will be made. She recognizes
the principle that her taxation shall be