The sun., 1919-06-24
Reply OF the Council.


Reply OF the Council.
The following reply was sent after
IT'S approval by the council OF the al
He'd and associated Powers:
Mr. President: The allied and as
ISOLATED Governments beg to acknowl-
edge the receipt OF your communica-
ton OF June %. After full con-
sideration OF your request they re-
greet that 1t Is not possible to extend
the time already granted to Your
Excellency to make known your d.
cision relative 90 the signature OF The
treaty without any reservation.
CLEnBNCEAu.
The fact that the Germans asked only
forty-eight hours delay and yet were re-
fused was regarded in Peace Conference
circles as indicating the intention OF the
Allies to push matters TO an Immediate
conclusion. Pending the formal notifica-
ton by the Germans as to their inten-
tlon the great allied military machine
was ready TO move on the stroke OF the
hour of the expiration OF the time limit.
The German note TO which the Council
replied yesterday by, definitely rejecting
any suggestions for an alteration In the
treaty declared that the Germans regard
the terms OF peace as impracticable and
that their signature Is given under dur
ess. Protests were made against the
clauses concerning reparations, the for
FIXTURE OF colonies and others.
Asserting that the terms cannot be
carried out and that the German Gov
eminent cannot be held responsible for
what may occur. the note concluded by
saying that the Germans will sign with
reservations relative 10 the turning over
Of those alleged TO be guilty OF crimes
and also the admission OF the guilt OF
Germany in causing the war.
Further Concessions Refused.
IN replying the Council OF Four said:
The allied and associated Powers
have considered the note OF the Ger
man delegation OF even date, and, in
view OF the shortness of time re-
manning, feel 1t their duty 10 reply at
once. OF the time within which the
German Government must make its
HnaI decision as to signature Of the
treaty less than twsnty-four hours
remains. The allied and associated
Governments have given fullest con-
sideration to all representations hlth-
erto made by the German Govern
ment with regard to the treaty, and
have replied with complete franz
ness. They have made such conces-
make. The present note OF the Ger
man delegation presents no new arga-
ments or considerations not already
examined
The Council then declared that the
time for discussion was past and that
the German representatives must make a
decision 10 sign and accept the treaty as
q whole or to reject II.
The complete text of the German note
shows that while only two reservations
were made, the Germans asked for the
insertion In the treaty OF a clause pro-
viding that within two years that docu-
ment should be submitted to the council
OF the League of Nations for reconsid-
Grafton OF that portion OF the treaty
which. as the Germans phrased IL. "im-
pair the rights to Standardization OF
the German people" Similar reconsid-
Grafton OF that portion whereby the
free economic development of Germany
on a footing OF equal rights is denied"
also was provided for in this suggested
clause.
Plea for the Germans.
The concluding paragraphs OF the
German note are as follows:
The Government of the German
republic engages 10 fulfil the condt-
many. It desires, however. In this
solemn moment TO express itself with
unreserved clearness In order TO meet
In advance any accusation OF un-
truthfulness that may now or later
be made against Germany.
Tho conditions imposed exceed the
measure OF that which Germany can
In fact perform. The Government of
the German republic therefore feels
49,
reservations and declines all RESPONSE
biltty as regards the consequence
which may De threatened against
Germany when. which as is bound to
happen. the impossibility OF carry
ing out the conditions comes to life.
even though Germany's capacity to
fulfll them is stretched to the utmost.
Germany further lays the greatest
emphasis on the declaration that she
cannot accept Article 230 of the
treaty OF peace, which requires Ger
many TO admit herself to be the sole
and only author OF the war and
abe does not cover this article by her
signature. II consequently follows
without further argument that Ger
many must also decline to recognise
that the burden should be placed upon
her on the score OF the responsibility
of the war which has unjustly been
laid at her door.
Raises Question of Honor.
Likewise il is equally impossible
for a German to reconcile II with his
dignity and honor TO accept and exc
cute Articles 227 TO 23O, by which
Germany Is required to give up TO
the Allies and associated Powers for
trial individuals among the German
people VINO are accused by the al
lied and associated Powers OF the
breach of international law and of
committing acts contrary to the Gus
toms OF war.
Further, the Government OF the
German republic makes a distinct
protest against the taking away of
all the colonial possessions OF Ger
many and the reasons given therefor
which permanently deny to Germany
fitness for colonial activity, although
the contrary is clearly established
and irrefutable evidence to this effect =
In contained in the observations of
the German peace delegation on the
conditions OF peace.
The Government OF the German re-
public assumes that II Is In accord
ance with the desires OF the allied
and associated Governments that II
has spoken openly both as regards
what concerns its good will and also
e. regards its reservations
Request for Reopening.
Therefore. in view OF the condition
Of constraint into which the German
people are forced by tho requirements
Of the Allies, a condition OF constraint