Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-17


local affairs under the governing super
vision of the league OF nations, will
have complete freedom to decide whether
II wishes union with France or the con
tinuance of the regime provided for in
the treaty."
NJ. Clemenceau takes up various ter
ritorial settlements. including the Ger
man colonies, which he says the Allied
powers are satisfied are strongly on
posed to being again brought under Ger.
many's sway. The Allied mowers.
therefore, are not prepared to modify
their territorial proposals, except in
certain respects laid down.
With regard to the economic and
financial clauses, NJ. Clemenceau saws
There is no intention on the part Of
the Allied and associated powers to
strangle Germany or to prevent her from,
taking her proper place in international
trade and commerce. Provided that she
abides by the treaty of peace and pro
vided also that she abandons those ag
gressive and exclusive traditions which
have been apparent in her business, no
less than in her political methods. the
Allied and associated powers intend
that Germany shall have fair treatment
sale OF goods. subject to those temporary
provisions already mentioned in the in
terests of the nations ravaged and arti-
fcially weakened by Germany's actions.
1t is their desire that the passions en-.
gendered bythe war should die as soon
as possible. and that all nations should
share in the prosperity which comes
from the honest supply of mutual needs.
In order to make their intention clear
number of notifications have been
made in the financial and economic
clauses of the treaty. but the principles
upon which the treaty is drawn must
stand
No Reparations Changes
With regard to reparation proposals,
Nj. Clemenceau says while the Allied
powers are not prepared to modify them,
they recognize that, with the German
delegation. the advantage Of arriving
as soon as possible at the fixed and
definite sum which shall be payable by
Germany. They are willing to accord
to Germany all necessary and reason
able facilities TO enable her to survey
the devastated and damaged regions and
to make proposals thereafter, within
four months of the signing of the treaty,
for settlement of the claims.
The Allied and associated powers have
given careful consideration to the request
of the German delegation that Germany
be admitted to the league of nations as
one Of the conditions OF peace. but that
the Allies are unable to accede to this
request. 1t adds that the German revo-
luton was postponed to the last mo-
ment of the war. and that there is no
guarantee that it represents perma-
nent change, and that it is impossible
in the present temper of international
feeling ito expect the free nations of
the world to sit down immediately in
equal association with those by whom
they have been so grievously wronged. ."
1t is added that the Allied and as
sociated powers believe if the German
people prove that they intend to full
fill the conditions of the peace. and
that they have abandoned forever those
aggressive and estrangng policies which
caused the war land have now become
a people with whom it is possible to
live in neighborly good fellowship, the
memories of these past years will
speedily fade, and it will be possible
at an early date to complete the league
of nations by the admission of Ger
many thereto
Blockade Legal
NJ. Clemenceau refers to the denun-
by Germany of the blockade of the
Allies. 1t declares that the blockade
always has been legal and recognized
method of war. It adds that if the
Allies imposed blockade OF exceptional
severity on Germany it was because
of the criminal character of the war
initiated by Germany and of the bar
barous methods adopted by her in
prosecuting it
"In conclusion. the Allied and asso-
ciated powers must make it clear that
this letter and the memorandum at.
tached constitute their last word. They
have examined German observations and
counter proposals with earnest atten-
ton and care. They have, in conse-
quence. made important notifications
in the draft treaty, but In its principle
they stand bv it.
"They believe, that it is not only
Just settlement of the great war, but
that it provides the basis upon which
the peoples of Europe can live together
in friendship and equality"
The clause adds that the treaty creates
the machinery for the peaceful adjust
ment of all international problems by
discussion and consent and represents
a sincere and deliberate attempt to es-
tablish that reign Of law. based upon
the consent of the governed, and sus-
tained by organized opinion of man
kind" which was the agreed basis of
peace.
1t is added that the treaty in its
present form must be accepted or re.
jected.
THE Allied and associated powers"
it continues, therefore require a dec
laraton from the German delegation
within five days later extended forty
11N0I0 III