New-York tribune., 1919-05-26

Peace Conference Reply
The reply of the peace conference
through NJ. Clemenceau follows:
MAY "a, 1919.
4sir: beg to acknowledge receipt of
vour letter of May 13, 1919, and also
II your further letter of May 16. AS
.he two communications concern the
same subject, it will be convenient that
should arrange them in one letter.
"With regard to the more general
observations contained in your first let
ter. must emphatically deny on behalf
of the Allied and associated govern
ments the suggestion contained in it
that German territories are by the
treaty OF peace made the subject of
bargains between one sovereignty and
another as though they were mere
chattels and pawns in game In fact,
the wishes of the population of all the
territories in question will be consulted
and the procedure followed in such con-
sultation has been carefully settled
with special regard to local conditions.
Territories ceded to Belgium-Full
liberty is insured for popular opinion
to express itself within a period of six
months. The only exception that has
been made applies to that part of the
territory of Prussian Moresnet living
west Of the road from Liege to AK Ia
Chappelle, the population of which
numbers less than 500 inhabitants in
which the woods are transferred to
Belgium as part reparation for the
destruction of forests by Germany on
Belgian territory.
Regarding Slesvig
"As to Slesvig, | am to explain that
this question was taken up by the
peace conference on the request Of
the Danish government and the popula-
ton of Slesvig.
"As regards the inhabitants of the
Eaar Basin, the domination which is
termed 'odious' in your letter is the
administration of the league of ma
tons. The scheme contained in Section
has been drawn up with the greatest
care so that, while it provides compen-
sation for the destruction of the Goa,
mines in the north of France, it also
secures the rights and welfare of the
population. They are assured of the
maintenance of all their present lib
critics, and in addition there are guar
anteed to them in financial and social
matters number Of special advan-
tages; moreover, definite provision is
made, after q period of fifteen years.
for pleblscite which will enable this
population, which is of so complex a
character, to determine the final form
OF government of the territory in
which 1t lives, in full freedom, and not
necessarily to the advantage either of
France Or Germany.
Saar Basin Claims
"As larger part of your two COM
muncations is devoted to observations
on the scheme concerning the Saar
Basin | must explain that the Allied
and Associated governments have
chosen this particular form of repara-
tlon because it was felt that the de-
sruction of the mines in the North
o. France was an act of such nature
that definite and exemplary retribu-
uon should be exacted; this object
would not be attained by the mere
supply OF a specified or unspecifed
amount Of coal. This scheme. there
lore, in its general provisions must be
maintained and to this the Allied and
associated powers are not prepared to
agree to any alternative.
FOR this reason the suggestions YOU
make IN your first letter for some other
means Of making good the deficiency
0l coal-a suggestion which is devel
0ped with more precision in the an
mex TO your second letter-cannot be
accepted. In particular, would point
cut tlat no arrangement of the kind
put forward could give to France the
security and certainty which she would
receive from the full exploitation and
zee ownership of the mines of the
Saar. ''i0
Alternative Impossible
similarly, the proposed handing
ever Of shares in German coal mines
situated in German territory and sub.
!sct to German exploitation would be
VI doubtful value to French holders.
'u would create confusion of French