River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-06-26
ENTENTE DELIVERS
ITS ULT|MATUM
ALLIES DELIVER FINAL ANSWER
TO coUNTERPRoPosALs AND
DECISION RESTS WITH FOE.
GUILTY MUST BE PUNISHED
War Is Called Deliberate Decision OF
Germany and Punishment Of Per-
sons Responsible is Essential
for Future Of World.

Paris, June 18.-The detailed reply
OF the peace conference to the counter
proposals Of the Germans, which was
handed to the German delegation at
Versailles, takes up in it's order each
OF the objections made by the enemy
TO the provisions of the original peace
treaty.
Among the notifications to the trea-
u which are acceded to by the con-
ference are frontier notifications for
West Prussia; plebiscite in Upper
Siiesia, with guaranty to Germany
that she will receive fair treatment in
securing mineral products from that
region; notifications In the clauses re-
lating to finance, economic and water
ways phases Of the treaty; permission
Tor Germany to retain 100000 men in
its army temporarily and promise to
furnish Germany within month with
. full list Of the persons who are to be
tried for responsibility for the great
conflict and violations of the laws of
war.
War Was Deliberate Act.
Taking up the subject Of penalties,
the reply enters into a discussion of
the immediate cause of the war and
says that the conflict was brought
about through the decision, deliber-
ately taken, Of the statesmen of Ber-
lin. Vienna and Budapest" It is
pointed out that even the German
memorandum admits that Germany
authorized Austria Hungary to. settle
the Serbian question on her own ini-
tiative and, moreover, supported Aus
tria's rejection Of Serbia's "extraor-
binary concessions"
1t Is declared that Germany steadily
rejected every proposal for a confer
ence and did not urge moderation till
all hope of avoiding war had vanished.
German attempts to throw the blame
on Russia, because of her mobilization
OF her army, it Is pointed out, is vitiat-
ed by the fact that this mobilization
was the immediate result Of Austria's
action.
'But the outbreak Of the war;" the
reply says. "was no sudden decision
taken in difficult crisis. 1t was the
logical outcome of policy Of domina-
ton, aggression and war followed by
Germany for decades. Hypnotized by
Bismarcks spirit of blood and iron,
Germany set about sowing suspicion
and discord among the nations, con-
spring with elements of unrest in
every land, steadily increasing arma-
ments and mobilizing the universities,
press, pulpit and governmental author
fly to indoctrinate the gospel Of hatred
and force. The essential truth of these
charges is admitted by the Germans
themselves through their revolution.
Punishment Essential.
''The war was a crime deliberately
plotted against the life and liberties of
the people of Europe. It brought death
and mutilation to millions. Starvation,
unemployment and disease stalk
across the continent from end to end.
The punishment Of those responsible
for bringing on these caIamities is
essential on the score of justice and
as q deterrent for others who may be
tempted to follow their example,"
The Allies, it is declared, will stand
by the verdict Of history for the i'm
partially and justice with which the
accused will be tried. The accused
will be insured full rights of defense
and the Judgment of the tribunal will
have the most solemn judicial char
acter. The Allied and Associated
Powers are prepared to submit final
list of those who must be handed over
to Justice within one month Of the
signing of the treaty..
Problem of Preparations.
The problem of PREPARATIONS is of
such extraordinary magnitude and
compleXity that it can be solved only
by continuing body, limited In per-
sonnel and invested with broad pow
ess. The reparation commission, the
reply declares, is instructed to exer-
else it's powers so as to insure in the
interest of all as early and complete
o discharge by Germany of her repara-
tons obligations as is consistent with
the true maintenance OF the SOCIAL,
economic and financial structure of
Germany.
Germans Have Four Months.
The powers are willing that within
four months Of the signature of the
treaty Germany may submit any pro-
posals she may choose to make. In
particular, she may offer lump sum
for all or part of her liability, under
take to reconstruct all or part Of a
damaged district, offer labor, technical
service or material for reconstruction,
or, in short. suggest any feasible plan
/ Trouble officer Provided.