The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-16
Question Of Precaution.

ing peace, which is in no vital respect
dependent upon the league.
Question Of rrecaution.
Consideration had to be given, Il Is
explained by diplomats. to the proba-
bility or possibility that the whole leakue
plan might fail, or be rejected or prove
unavoidable or develops at its very incep-
ton some Of the weaknesses which prac-
teal statesmen have insisted were bound
to result in its speedy abandonment.
The vital peace problems and the i'm
mediate future OF Europe could not, II Is
added. be entrusted to anything In the
way of an experiment. Consequently the
Reparation Commission got all the real
power in connection with the carrying
out Of the treaty.
II 10 essential at the outset, those
diplomats explain. to realize that this
| ali-powerful Rsparation Commission IL
Independent Of the league. 1t meets in
Paris. as soon as practicable. after the
| treaty Is signed and Is made UP of prin-
cipal representatives from the United
| States Great Britain, France. and Italy
with representatives from Japan, Bel
GUM. Serbia and other associated Pow
ers sitting in when their interests are
affected.
| The four principal Powers have repre-
sentatives at all sittings Each nation
has one representative and an assistant
who may take his place is required.
Even a casual reading of that portion
OF the peace treaty dealing with this
commission. diplomats aver. will show
its tremendous power. II is IN itself
a practicable workable league but with
the important distinction that there is
4 no suggestion OF entahgling alliances, as
each representative is responsible only to
his sovereign Government and each Gov
eminent reserves to itself absolute
liberty OF action In passing upon the
many vital matters which are bound
to come before 1t.
Restoration OF Europe.
1t Is stated specifically that the COM
mission has the duty ito restore Europe
financially. economically and otherwise
1.-THE practical method to be followed Il
to make Germany. which started the war
ana is responsible, pay the bill and
now make good Europe's needs. In thi'
respect the method differs from the
basic idea OF the league. which is Il
make the United States and other nations
that suffered help pay the bill.
| By way Of demonstrating the com
missions power a few of It's duties wert
enumerated. Here they are:
i 1t is responsible for bringing Europ'
back TO stability and health. II de
termines how much Germany must pay
in what form Germany must pay. whei
Germany must pay and what conditions
, must be met to resurrect Europe from
, the effects Of the war. It receives. hold
, or disposes of the funds to be collecte,
for the, building up and stabiiizing o
, Europe
1t has even the power 10 regulate AZ
fairs In Germany. to say when and how
| the German people shall be taxed FOL
years to come to atone for Germany
crime against civilization, and II has tn,
I duty of recommending what immediate
D action will be taken in case there is an.
default on the part of Germany In car
rylng out TO the letter the terms OF tn
= treaty.
= 1t is charged with the duty of seeinl
1 that every nation injured by German,
e has damage repaired, property rebuilt,
. 1t may even reach out and take owe
t German chattels, ships. properties. rights
i concessions whole businesses (Krupps
9 for example) owned by Germany. I
9 may lake German rights and conces
Q eions within or without Germany.
= It makes its own rules and laws as
d goes along, and 1t shall have wide latl
h tude" and II shall have authority to In
/ terpret the provisions Of the treaty"
n Under these circumstances. it was en-
phasized, the PREPARATION Commission
q the whole backbone OF the treaty. an
is charged with restoring Europe an
a carrying out the treaty terms.
= The League OF Nations Is charged wit
4 none OF these duties and is designed I
n deal with future International alliance
v or relationships apart from practics
: peace problems now to be settled in BIZ
a rope,