Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-14
WHAT DOES &c RMANY YIELD?

The terms of the. peace treaty are popularly describ-
ed as severe. Perhaps that is the right VOID to apply to
them in that they impose rigid restrictions on Germany
and her activities. But they are not severe in the sense
that unreasonable punishment is melted out to Germany
in a spirit of vindictiveness. a&t
Just what is it that Germany is required to relinquish
that the terms of the treaty are so Objectionable to Ger
mans across the water and their Socialistic sympathizers
on this side? .
Germany Is required to give up Alsace-Lorraine. Is
there objection? On what ground? These provinces were
French, and are French, and Germany took them by force.
She is now compelled to restore them. @
Germany must yield certain territory In Poland. II
there is a just grievance there it is the inhabitants of the
territory affected who have it. If they are satisfied to
join the new kingdom why should Germany hold them,
especially as their territory, like most of that controlled
by Germany, was acquired by force.
. Germany must give up her colonies. In that we have
complete recognition of the principle of self-determina-
ton, and Of the principle that the affairs of backward
peoples are to be- administered for their benefit, rather
than for the enrichment Of the guardian. Not a foot OF
the territory of such colonies is taken from Germany to
be added to that of any other country, but in each case
the territory and its people pass under the guardianship
of the League of Nations. it's affairs to be admins
tered under league direction by one or other of the more
advanced nations. a.
Has Germany a right to object to the destruction of
her military power? Not more than the armed burglar
has to object to being deprived of his weapons. II Ger
many intends to launch afresh on a career of conq uest, the
loss of her army and navy, the destruction of her fortifi-
cations, and the loss of positions throughout the world
Wnlcn would have been of great strategic value will be
felt severely. And, if that is Germany's purpose, it is
imperative that she be disarmed and reduced to a condi-
ton of military impotence. But il it is the purpose OF
Germany to live an orderly and peaceable life among her
neighbors, the destruction of her enormous military es-
tablishment, and the prohibition of its renewal, will re-
lieve her of a tremendous load, and will be of distinct ad-
vantage to her.
Then we come to the matter of reparation. Germany
cannot repair more than a minute fraction Of the damage
which she has done. Shall she be required to repair any
of it, and il so, how much? Considerations of equity and
of public policy alike demand that there shall be some
reparation. 1t is beside the question to say that Germany
has already suffered. The man who sets fire to his neigh.
boris house may burn his own fingers in the process, but
we do not absotve him from responsibility on that account.
We not only punish him for his offense against the laws
of the state, but we require him to repair the damage
to the extent of his ability, even down to his last dollar.
Germany is requiredtto pay. Her people are suffering
now. The payment of the sums demanded will entail fur
ther inconvenience. Aside from the rights Of others which
are involved, the Germans need the lesson, and the world
needs that it shall be given. " =
+ Apparently the Germans are beginning to rea lie for
the firstwtime that they are beaten. holelessly and TIRE
trievably beaten; that the stories that their leaders have
told them are lies; that they have been made the puppets
OF imperial ambitions which have gone down in ruin.
That, it seems. accounts for the vail that is now going up
from Germany, for the Germans, by training and instinct,
are bad losers. And nobody expected them to like the
peace terms.