The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-05-13
THE PEACE TREATY

rOllONlnS Is tne VI Tie
treaty of peace for the use OF the
press:
The treaty of peace between the
27 allied and associated powers on
the one hand and Germany on the
other, was handed to the German
plenipotentiaries at Versailles
"Wednesday.
1t is the longest treaty ever
drawn. 1t totals about $4,000
words. divided into 15 main sections
and represents the combined pro-
duct Of over thousand experts
working continually through Sc
ries of commissions for the three
and half months since January IS.
The treaty is printed in parallel
pages of English and French. which
are recognized as having equal val
idity. 1t does not deal with uues-
tions affecting Austria. Bulgaria and
Turkey except in so far as binding
Germany to accept any agreement
reached with those former allies.
Following the preamble and dis
position of powers comes the cove
Mant of the league of nations as the
Irst section Of the treaty The
f""ntiers Of Germany in Europe
defined in the second section: Eu-
Topean racial classes in third; Eu-
ropean political classes in the
fourth. Next are the military.
naval and air terms as the fifth sec
tion. followed by section on pris-
oners OF war and military graves,
and seventh on responsibilities. Re-
parations, financial terms, and eco
nomic terms are covered in sections
eight to ten. Then comes the aero
nautic section ports. waterways. and
railways section. the labor cove
nant, the section on garrisons. and
the final clauses.
Restores Alsace-Lorraine.
Germany by the terms OF the
treaty. restores Alsace-Lorraine to
France. accepts the internationaliza-
tion OF the Saar basin temporarily
and of Danzig permanently. agrees
TO territorial changes toward Bel |
GUM and Denmark and in East
Prussia. cedes most of upper Silesia |
to Poland. and renounces all terri !
Sorial and political rights outside
Europe. as to her own or her allies
territories. and especially to Mo-
rocco. Egypt, Siam. Liberia and
Shantung. She also recognizes the !
total independence OF German-Aus-
f,ia Ii ,,I d.,
Her army is reduced to 100000
men. including officers: conscription
within her territories is abolished:
all forts so kilometers east of the
Rhine -azed; and all importation.
expectation and nearly all produc-
tion oj war material stopped. AL
lied occupation OF parts of Germany
will continue till reparation is made.
nut will be reduced at the end OF
each OF three fve-year periods If
Germany is fulfilling her obliga-
tions. Any violation by Germany
of the conditions as to the zone so
kilnmeters east OF the Rhine will be
regarded as an act OF war.
The German navy is reduced to
six battleships. six light cruisers and
12 torpedo boats. without subma-
rines, and personnel of not over
5000. All other vessels must be
surrendered or destroyed. Germany
is ,or@ .dden to build forts con-
trolling the Baltic. must demolish
Helgoland. open the Kiel canal TO
all nations. and surrender her IA
submarine cables. She may have no
military or naval air forces except
100 unarmed seaplanes until OctO-
Der to detect mines. and may man
ufacture aviation material for six
months.
Responsibility for Damages.
Germany accepts full responsible
Atty for all damages caused to allied
and associated governments and ma
tionals. agrees specifically to REIN
burse all civilian damages beginning
with an initial payment Of 10000
100000 marks. subsequent pay
ments to be secured by bonds to be
issued at the discretion Of the repair
alton commission. Germany is to
pay shipping damage on ton-for-
ton basis by cession OF a large part
OF her merchant coasting and river
fleets. and by new construction: and
To devote her economic resources to
the rebuilding OF the devastated
regions.
no 70 n