Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-08
Tho Price Germany Must Pay
sale.N

= ERMANY'S day OF rotribution has
~ dawncd. On the anniversary OF the
Lusitania crime which made Americas par
tcipation in the war inevitable and marked
the beginning of Germany's overthrow, the
victorious allied powers, assembled in the hall
at Versailles where triumphant William L..
with a prostrate France at his feet. was
crowned. handed 10 Germany the completed
treaty Of peace which ii must sign to escape
ouhteration as n nation.
Germany sinned deeply against the world.
and III measure according TO its ability it
must pay. Not even the most rabid hatcr
Of the Hun can complain over any leniency
shown III the sentence the allies have inn
posed. Under the terms OF tho treaty of
which the covenant OF the league of nations
the guarantor OF future peace. forms the first
section. Germany is stripped to its criminal
hide It must accept full responsibility for
the war and all lis ravages. 1t must make
reparation TO The nations against whom its
crime was committed, and 1t must repay
civilian losses. For these il must make an
initial payment of 20.QQ0,o0O. O0O marks.
with other sums to be exacted later 1t must
restore AlsaCe- Lorraine to France its rightful
owner; it must rcnOunce its colonies and all
claims to any territory whatsoever outside OF
Europe, and II must make vast territorial con
cessions to Poland to Belgium and 10 other
nations that it has wronGed. II must consent
10 the temporary NATURALIZATION Of the
rich Saar Basin for the bcneht OF Franco.
and it must give up its cherished Danzg for
all time. II must see its once Wanted army,
which was TO impose the imperial will on the
earth, reduced 10 beggarly police force OF
10000 men; its navy, which was 10 humble
Great Britain. and the building OF which
threatened TO impovcrish the empire.
Whitfield down 10 patrol fleet. Ii is stripped
OF lis air forces and it must consent TO al
lied occupation until its debt TO the con
quering powers IS paid and its PREPARATION for
its crimes made as complete as it is humanity
possible TO make it, And the Kaiser. nom
inaly at least. the author of the war he who
was the all highest the anointed OF heaven
who was TO sway the universe with the sound
o. his voice. must appear before an inter
national tribunal, plead 10 the charge against
him. and stand trial.
BY the terms OF the treaty Germany is not
ruined. il is not swept off the map. It is left
sufficient resources TO work out its own sal
walton and pay its debts, but for generations
to come II will bear crushing burden as
reminder OF the bloody wears il forced on the
worlu, and. so far as its military rchabilta-
ton is concerned. its hands are tied hard
ana fast 1t is a harsh treaty. 1t could not
be otherwise and be just. But il is not so
harsh as the mcrciless one Germany was pre-
pared to impose on its enemies had It's flash
ing sword not been sheathed in defeat dis
honor and disgrace And Germany Will sign
1t will whine and plead. but sign it must.
Should it refuse, the means are provided
whereby il will be isolated economically and
bent 10 submission even more coutrite In
face of possible refusal, it is comforting to
realize that the allied powers are united
Italy, Japan, all OF ihem-the most desperate
efforts Of a treacherous, resourceful enemy
having failed 10 divide them
In addition TO the main treaty, Wilson has
promised TO bring before Congress q pro-
posed agreement with England 10 so 10 the
aid of France should it be threatened in the
future. Such an agreement. which need not
60 so far as formal alliance. will give
France the double assurance Of safety which
is its due after the irightful sacrifice it has
made for civilization.
Thorough criticism and analysis of the
treaty at this time maIifestly is impossible
II is an imposing document of so 600 words
the result OF 1000 experts working for
months. 1t will require days, even weeks
for the American people TO digest its contents,
but, judging from the outline already avail
able, ii Will receive their approval The SEN
ate can hardly help but ratify it speedily,
for it seems TO meet every condition required,
chief among which are complete re2aratior
on the part of Germany and its impotence
for future evil.