The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-06-23

, German representatives must make
decision to sign and accept the treaty
as whole or to reject it.
Ask Later Reconsideration
The full text of the German note
shows that while but two reservations
were made the Germans asked for the
Insertion in the treaty of a clause pro
vtding that within Q years that docu-
ment should be submitted to the
council Of the league Of nations for
reconsideration of that portion of the
| treaty which, as the Germans phrased
1t, impair the rights to self-deter-
mination of the German people"
Similar reconsideration Of that por-
! ton whereby the free economic de-
velopment of Germany on footing of
equal rights Is denied" also was pro-
vtded for in this suggested clause
The concluding paragraphs Of the
German note follow:
The government of the German re-
public engages to fulfill the condi-
tions OF peace imposed upon Germany.
1t desires, however, In this solemn
moment to express itself with unre-
served clearness in order to meet in
advance any accusation OF untruthful-
ness that may now or later be made
Cannot Fulfill Conditions
"The conditions imposed exceed the
measure Of that which Germany can
In fact perform. The government of
the German republic therefore feels
bound to acknowledge that it makes
all reservations and declines all res
possibility as regards the conse-
quence which may be threatened
against Germany when, which as is
bound to happen, the impossibility of
carrying out the conditions comes TO
life, even though Germany's capacity
to fulfill 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 Germany to
admit herself to be the sole and only
| author of the war. and she does not
, cover this article by her signature. 1t
consequently follows without further
argument that Germany must also de-
cline to recognize 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.
Likewise, it Is equally impossible
, for German to reconcile it with his
dignity and honor to accept and ex-
ecute articles 227 to 230, by which
Germany is required to give up to the
allied and associated powers for trial.
individuals among the German people
who are accused by the allied and as
sociated powers of the break of inter
! national law and of committing acts
contrary to the customs of war.
Protests Colonial Plan.
Further the government of the Ger
man republic makes a distinct protest
against the taking away of all the CO.
lonlal possessions of Germany, and the
reasons given therefor, which perma-
nently deny to Germany fitness for CO.
lonlal activity, although the contrary
is clearly established and irrefutable
| evidence to this effect is contained in
| the observations of the German peace
delegation on the conditions of peace
The government of the German re
public assumes that it is in accord
ance with the desires of the allied and
| associated governments that it has
| spoken openly both as regards what
1 concerns its good will and also as re-
CARDS its reservations. Therefore, in
1 view of the condition of constraint in
| to which the German people are forced
| by the requirements of the allies-a
condition of constraint such as has
never been inflicted on any people in
| a manner more crushing and more dis
astrous in its consequences-and rely
ing on the express undertaking of the
allied and associated governments in
| the memorandum of June 16, 1919,
the German government believes IT.
self to be entitled to address the fol-
| lowing modest request to the allied
and associated governments In the ex-
| pectation that the allied and associat-
| ed governments will consider the fol-
lowing declaration as an integral por-
| ton of the treaty:
within two years, counting from
Continued on Page Eight.
.