Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-23


reconsideration OF that portion where
by the free economic development OF
Germany on a footing of equal rights Is
suggested clause.
THE government of the German re-
public engages to fulfill the conditions
of peace imposed upon Germany. 1t
desires, however, in this solemn mo-
ment, to express itself with unreserved
clearness in order to meet in advance
any accusation of untruthfulness that
may now or later be made against
Germany. ...,
THE conditions imposed exceed the
measure Of that which Germany can
in fact perform. The government OF
the German republic therefore feels
bound to announce that 1t makes all
reservations and declines all RESPONSE
bility as regards the consequence which
may be threatened against Germany
when, which is bound to happen, the
impossibility Of carrying ost the con-
ditions comes to life, even tho Ger
many's capacity to fulfill them Is
stretched to the utmost.
Rejects Responsibility Clause.
Germany further lays the greatest
emphasis on the declaration that she
can not 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, 1t Is equally impossible
for a German to reconcile it with his
dignity and honor to accept and exc
many is required &c sive up ~ the al
lied and associated powers for trial in
among the German people
who are accused by the allied and as
sociated powers for the breech of in
law and of committing acts
contrary to the customs of war.
Further. the government Of the
German republic makes a distinct pco-
test against the taking away of all
the colonial possessions Of Germany
and the reasons given therefor, which
permanently deny to Germany fitness
for the colonial activity. altho the con-
trary Is clearly established ami ire
futable evidence to this effec. is con-
tanned in the observations Of the Ger
man peace Adelegatson on the condi.
tions Of peace.
, Germany Feels Crushed.
''The government OF the German re-
public assumes. that 1t is in accord
ance with the desires Of the allied and
associated governments that It has
spoken openly b5th rs regards what
its good will and also as re-
CARDS its reservations. Therefore. \ in
view of the condition OF constratnt
into which the German people are
forced by the requirements Of the al
lies-a condition Of constraint such as
has never been inflicted on any people
in a manner more crushing and more
in its consequences-and
relying on the express undertaking OF
the allied and associated governments
in their memorandum OF June 16, 1919.
the German government believes itself
to be entitled to address the followirg
modest request to the allied and asso-
ciated governments in the expectation
that the allied and associated govern
ments will consider the following dec
as an integral portion Of the
treaty:
"Modest' Demand.
within two years. counting from
the day when the treaty is signed. the
allied and associated governments will
submit the present treaty to the high
council Of the powers as constituted
by the league Of nations, according %
article 4, for the purpose Of subsequent
examination. Before the high courcil
the German plenipotentiarics are to
enjoy the rights and privileges AS the
Of the other contract
ing powers Of the present treaty. This
council shall decide ip regard to those
conditions of the present treaty which,
impair the right to self determination
of the German people" and also IN re-
gard to the stipulation whereby the
free economic development Of Germany
on a footing Of equal rights is i'm
peded.
"The government OF the German re-
public accordingly gives the declara-
ton Of its consent as required by the
note of June 16, 1910, in the follow
ing form:
"'The government. o.. the German
republic is ready to sign the treaty OF
peace without, however recognizing
thereby that the German people were
the authors OF the war and without
undertaking any responsibility for de-
livering persons in accordance with ar
ticle 227 to 23o Of the treaty of peace.
"Weimah, .Juna g.. 1919.
(signed) Bauer President OF the
Imperial Ministry. -
Accept Mr. President, the expires
sion of my consideration.
(signed) Svon Haniel."
Text Of Pisa For Time.
The decision to refuse the request
was reached after discussion lasting
less than an hour. The German note
reads as follows:
ITO his excellency, The president OF
the peace conference, Mr.. Cle.1lenceau:
Mr.. President, the minister for foreign
affairs instructs me to beg the allied
and associated governments to pro-
long for forty y-eight hours the time
limit for answering your excellency's
note and likewise the time limit for
answering the note OF June 16, 1919.
1T was only on Saturday, after great
that q new cabinet was
formed, which, unlike its predecessor;
could come to an agreement to declare
its willingness to sign the treaty as re-
CARDS nearly all its provisions. The
national assembly has expressed con-
fidence In this cabinet. The answer
only arrived here lust before midnight
as the direct wire from Versailles to