New-York tribune., 1919-05-09
GERMAN

st. Louis "Westliche Post: "By the
peace treaty the German empire ceases
to exist as an independent national
unit. She has been eliminated as a
factor in international commerce as
we'll as in world politics, having lost
her merchant fleet. Deprived of her
agricultural province in the eastern
part of the empire and Of her colonies,
Germany faces a serious economical |
problem to feed her people, She must
rely upon other countries for grain
and transportation. Germany's mill
tary power is wiped out The condi-
tlons imposed upon her in that respect
allow no circumvention. The repara-
tlon question is still unsolved, Ger
many being burdened with trem endous
expenses without the means of ade-
quate revenue to meet them Still, the
Allies must insist upon reparation in
order to stave off internal unrest The
treaty as whole is a death knell to
German independence in all spheres
save that Of abstract science"
The Detroit "Abend POST: "The
peace terms reduced Germany to the
lowest place among the nations Any
one who thought them drastic will now
find them far more SO than the news
papers have told us. The conference
has ended in bitterness and hate The
world, not made solid for democracy
and in spite of the league of nations,
is doomed for moro war, and possibly
worse than ever before The blockade
which has been on since November II
and will be kept on has placed thou
sands of women and children on the
death list. This is the doing Of un-
kindly hearts which will have no good
for the future"
Milwaukee '"Germania": "Nobody
has any more doubts as to the guilt
of the old imperialist German govern
ment in starting the war on August d,
1914, but imperialist ambitions at that
were not confined to the German gov
ernment. President Wilson's famous
fourteen points were recognized by
both sides at the time Of the arms stce
as the basis of peace. Have they really
been decisive in formulating the peace
terms? Let everybody form his own
Judgment Also, let everybody form
his opinion of the principle of JUS
tice."
"The Davenport Dcmokrat": "The
feature of the peace treaty, which
stands out most prominently, is the
completeness Of the account which is
presented against Germany and which
she will have to pay. If it is objected
that moneys and lands could never
efface many of her crimes, there is an
answer in the provisions for the trial
of the exKaiser and all other violators
OF the rules of war whose persons the
Allies may demand shall be handed
over to them. "A good peace Premier
Clemenceau termed it, 1t seems to be,
and after German leaders have studied
it, they will sign it, and Germany will
undertake the long and hard task of
reparation."
The Cleveland "Waechter und An
zciger": "President Wilson was pos
sibly forced to yield somewhat in his
stand for the Fourteen Points by the
adverse action of this country in the
last election
The Cincinnati "Volksblatt": "Thc
loss Of the Silesian and Scar Valley
coal districts will be a great economic
blow TO Germany. The transfer of the
Saar coal field to France as part pay
ment of the indemnity will cause the
destruction of the south Rhine in
dustries that drew their coal from
this field. Germany will be under such
heavy financial burdens that every man
Will have to pay over to the state all
earnings above those needed for bare
eXistence.'
The Cincinnati "Freie Presse": "The
treaty is built on the principle that the
victor has the right to dictate to the
defeated opponent the terms of peace
and then force him to accept if neccs-
sary"