Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-07
League of Nations Leads

League VI 4NdttOHS btduS
The treaty. on which the leading
statesmen of the various nations
have been working since the con-
vening Of the Peace Conference on
January 1S, is introduced by an ex-
tensive preamble, embodying the as
sertion of authority upon which the
treaty is based.
Immediately following is the first
chapter, the covenant of the league
of nations, the text Of which already
has been printed, OF the fourteen
point sections, one contains stipula-
tions with regard to frontiers which
materially change the map of Europe.
Military, naval and air terms are
dealt with in another section. while
still another is devoted to the subject
of reparations. Political Stipula-
tions for Europe, on the one hand,
and outside of it, on the other, are
dealt with in separate divisions of
the document.
The treaty, it is noted, has to do
with Germany alone, except in so far
as it is required that she accept
agreements made by the allies with
the other central powers. The treaty
is not printed in German. The
text is in French and English, on
opposite pages.
The terms of the treaty spell the
end of Germany as military power.
She is deprived of virtually all her
fleet. her army is cut down to nomi-
nal dimensions, and she is sharply
restricted along lines through which
she might seek to work mlitarily
TO rehabilitate herself.
Economically, also. the future
course Of Germany is hedged about
with stipulations to insure her abil-
ity to pay the indemnity demanded.
but to prevent her from exploiting
her old time resources as stran-
Cling competitor of the nations about
her, which she overran and devas-
tated during the war
Thus Germany. for a period of
years at least, will be deprived of the
coal output of the rich Saar basin,
which goes to France in repayment
of the damage caused by the de-
struction of the French mines. She,
likewise, is compelled to make resti-
tuition for damage in other ways
done to France, Belgium and the
various other countries which suf-
fered from Teutonic depredations.
There has been much discussion
of the question whether the Ger
man delegates would sign the
treaty. The Germans at first pro-
posed to send messengers to Yer
sailles to take the treaty to Berlin.
but they were made to understand
that delegates, with power to sign
the terms, must be sent, and this
was done. Furthermore, the Ger
mans will be allowed only a def
nitely fixed time within which to
sign the treaty.
Italians Are Present
Allied representation at the cere-
monial today was made complete by
the arrival in Paris this morning of
Vittorio Orlando, the Italian pre-
mier, and Baron Sonnino. the foreign
minister, who. il had been feared
for time, would not be present
because Of the tangle over the Adri-
attic question. The Italians. how
ever, indicated that they thought it
necessary that a solid Allied front
be presented to the Germans, and
their delegates returned from Rome.
The day likewise found the repre-
sentatives of Japan aligned square
ly with the other powers, any COM
plications that might have been
threatened over the question of Kiao-
Chau and the wording of the league
of nations covenant having been
smoothed over.
Last TOUGHER on Treaty
| The plcnary Peace Conference com =
/ pleted its work yesterday. so far as
Germany is concerned, and at secret
| plenary session communicated the terms
| of the peace treaty to all the powers
represented at the conference. This was
| the last act before the delivery of the
! treaty to the Germans at Versailles to :
day.
The session was held in the Foreign
, Office, with the same setting aud dis
| tinguished personnel as at previous pub
lie sessions. except in the case Of Italy
which was represented by DIR. SilvlS
Crespi. the former food administrator
pending the arrival of Premier Orlando
and Foreign Minister Sonnino today
NJ. Clemenceau presided. with Prcsi
! dent Wilson at his right and Premier
LLOYD, George at his left, with the On
tire membership of the conferenc,
grouped around the table.
|. Captain Andre Tardieu read sum
mary of the treaty. as the complete tex
was not ready when tho session wa
! called. One of the notable features in
corporated in the treaty was that deal
, ing with the responsibility of formc
Emperor William for causing the wa
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