Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-26

impossible to prove that these districts
are inhabited by an, undoubtedly non
German population. The plebescite
through which 1t is intended to give the
inhabitants n seeming right of taking
part in the determination of their future
destiny would find no base in the prin-
ciples of peace agreed upon between the
belligerents. According to the draft OF
the treaty of peace, however, such
plebescite is not even to be decisive in
stead. a body in which Germany is in
no way represented is called upon to
determine the future of the territory as
II may think 1T. even though the popu-
lation have expressed their desire to re-
main part of Germany. This provision
is in itself inequitabIe and at variance
with the principle that no national ten
denotes should be satisfied If by such
satisfaction new elements of discordant
connection are created.
''The German delegates reserve for
themselves liberty Of returning to the
provisions of the treaty draft concern
ing territorial changes in the east of
Germany in n special note.
Accept. sir, the assurance of my
high esteem. (Signed)
'BROCKDORFF- -RANTZAt.'
Second Enemy Note
The second German note sent May IS
read:
'Sir-In my note dated 18th instant
on the territorial provisions of the
peace draft relating to the west of Ger
many | pointed out in the name Of the
Germanic delegation that the guaran-
tees which are required. especially for
the reparaton of the damages caused to
the coal mines of northern France,
could best be given by economical
agreements that should be discussed
viva vOce by the experts of both par
ties. 1t does not appear to the German
peace delegation to be advisable that
such agreements should be delayed to
the extent provided for by paragraph
.}S of the annex to Articles NLN to
l. of the conditions of peace; i. g., till
the fifteen years period of occupation
intended for the Sarre basin has cx-
PRED
''1n connection herewith. beg to
transmit to your cxccllcncy the inclosed
draft, n proposal which has been
elaborated by the experts of the Ger
man peace delegation. requesting you
to submit the same to the experts of
the Allied and associated governments
for examination and 20 let me have a
reply as to whether viva voce discussion
of the proposal can be taken into view.
THE German delegation would only
contemplate publishing the experts pro-
posal if the Allied and associated gov
crnments should on their part attach
value thereto.
Accept. sir, the assurance of my
highest esteem.
"BROCKDORFF- RANTZAU."
ITO His EXceiiency. the President of
thp ppnrp ('pnfarnpno NT ('lop,onnnor
Proposal of the German experts:
"According to Article NLV of the
peace treaty. the chief object of the
measures proposed in part three. Section
!. concerning the Sarrc basin is to
furnish compensation for the destroyed
coal mines in the Forth of France and
to make good in part the war damage
caused by Germany. According to
Article XLVI the full freedom of ex-
ploitatiou is to be insured by the pro
visions contained in Chapter II of the
annex.
Economic Interests
"'rhc point at issue is. therefore, to
satisfy and safeguard economic interests
of France. In IL like sense the provi-
sion of paragraph IS of the annex could
be taken. provided that the agreements
therein mentioned between France and
Germany are to be understood officially
as being of an economic nature.
1--WE are of opinion that this end
could be attained by other measures
than those mentioned above, namely, by
such as are conducive to an adjustment
of the interests Of both parties. We,
therefore, propose the following:
"First Having in view the necessity
of adequately supplying France with
1c n
the question of the Sarre territory with
out having regard to the coal supplies to
France and some of her allies provided
for in Part VIII. Annex V. In order
to meet the interests in question as
completely as possible, the following
questions must be answered:
"IaD. Which quantities of the differ
Cnt kinds of coal are required to meet
the total inland demand to France and
belgium?
''(b). Which quantities of coal are
to be supplied to the different regions.
in particular, of France?
1--WE are prepared Immediately to
ascertain to what extent we are capable
of supplying the required quantities and
for this purpose to draw up a plan OF
delivery. In so doing regard will have
TO be taken to the necessity of providing
for increased transport by sea. in view
OF tiic long pNpanSe OF Ilnlc over Wnlcn
the obligation to" deliver coal is ex-
tended.
1T would be necessary to fix the
details on delivery in viva vOce nego-
tiations between the experts Of the
powers interested.
Second. As to reparation of the
war damages suffered by the coal mines
we propose the following: The concerns
damaged in northern France to partici-
pate by shares to an extent agreed upon
in such German coal mines as are
charged with the delivery of coal to the
regions mentioned.
''The details of this transaction to
be settled mutually by the German
French experts.
THREE
''The object of the. measures
provided for in Article NLIX and
in Chapter ! of the annex to Part III. r.
Section 4 concerning the Sarre territory
is, just as that of occupation of the
territory to the left of the Rhine and
of the bridgeheads, to insure the full
fillment of the obligation which will
be undertaken by Germany.
These measures, as well as the
measure of control, carried out and con
templated up to now by the Allied and
associated governments, measures which
mean restriction or, cancellation of
the liberty of German economic life.
would, apart from the heavy political
danger, moreover """clyZe the concerted
capacity of Germany, the entire main
tenance of which is of the utmost i'm
e