The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-26
Allies Send Note to Germans
on Sinking of Fleet.
Action Denounced as Violation
of Armistice Terms.
TO. EXACT PREPARATION FOR IT
Was deliberate Breach, Allied
Note Declares.
VIII Make Complete Investiga-
ton of Sinking.

Paris, June 26.-Germany has been
notified in a note sent today by the
allies that they possess the right to
punish the persons responsible for the
destruction of the German ships and
to collect PREPARATION for the loss. The
sinking of the fleet is denounced as
violation of the armistice and delib-
crate breach in advance of the condi-
lions of peace. -
When the investigations have been
completed. the note states. the allies
will exact 1.-THE necessary reparation."
Allied Note tor Foe.
The allied and associated powers to-
day sent the following letter to the
German peace delegation:
Il June 25, 1910.
Mr.. President: -, ~
The terms Of the nrmistice signed by
.fArtfcle 23-The German surface war
ships which shall be specified by the allies
and the United States shall forthwith be
disarmed aRd thereafter informed in neu-
trail ports, or falling them, the allied ports
States. They shall there remain under
supervision by the allies and the United
states. only care and maintenance parties
ON June 81 the German warships which
had been handed over to the allies and as
sociated. powers and were at anchor in
the roadbed at Scapa Flow, with the Ger
man care and maintenance parties on board
as provided in the 'armistice were sunk by
man admiral In command, according to
the Information which has been collected
and transmitted by the. British admiralty.
The German admiral in command of these
parties of the German naval forces has
alleged that he acted in the belief that the
| aFmistice expired on June p at midday and
consequently; in his opinion. the destruc-
ton in question was no violation of its
terms. In law Germany. by signing the
into an undertaking that the ships handed
over by her should remain in the ports
indicated by the allied and-associated pow
ers and that care and maintenance parties
should be left on board with instructions
and under such orders as would ensure
that the armistice should be observed.
+The ssihking of these ships constituted
at once a violation of the armistice and
an act OF gross bad faith toward the allied
The admiral in command. while recog-
| nlzlng that the act was a breach of the
ing his belief the armistice had come to an
end. This alleged Justification is not we'll
founded as, under the communication ad-
| 10, 1919. the armistice would only terminate
on refusal to sign the peace, or. il no
| answer were returned June % at Z O'Clock.
! ,! According to International law every
| serious violation of the armistice by one
81 the parties gives the. other the right to
/ to frecomrnence hostilities at once A viola
lftson OF the terms by 1ndirihua1s.9 acting on
1 tnelr oYn Initiative. only sconfers the right
f.of demanding punishment of these Offend
, eis, ana II necessary indemnity for tie
losses sustained. 1t will, therefore be
open to the allied and associated mowers
to bring before military tribunals the per-
sons responsible for these violations. so
that appropriate penalties may be Imposed
Furthermore, the Incident gives the allied
ana associated powers a right to repara :
ton Tor the loss caused. r
| LASTLY, the sinking OF the German fleet
! is not only a violation of the armistice.
: but can only be regarded as a deliberate
preach In advance, of the conditions of
/ peace Furthermore, the incident is NOT
/ an -lsoiated act. The burning, or permis
sion Tor the burning, of the French flags
which Germany has to restore CONSTITUTES
ahother. deliberate breach in advance of
TN, tn consequence, fthe. allied and asso-
GATED powers declare that they take note
OF these signal facts of bad faith. and
That when the Investigations have been
/ completed. they will exact the necessary
tsd,s ( is evident that any repetf-
unfortunate effect upon the future oper.
atlCn OF the treaty which the Germans
are about to sign. They have made com
| platrt of. the: 15-year period of occupation
| %h'ch the treaty contempIates. They have
made complaint that admission to the
league Of nations may be too long de-
ierrea How can Germany put forth sucl,
claims IF she encourages or permits de-
/ li5erate Violations of her written enga ge-
'nents She cannot complain should the
| allies use the full powers conferred on
| them by the treaty IL she deliberately
Evioiates Its provisions"