Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-30
GermanY's Reply.

OcIuduy NCp1y.
After all their resonance of refusal,
the Germans have merely fled with
TIN peace conference at Paris a docu-
rn:nt styled "Obscrvations of the Ger
man delegation on the conditions of
peace.h 1t is described as series of
papers, in three installments, compris-
ing 146 pages in all, corner-fastened
in simple form. While its contents have
not been disclosed, it is known from
advance announcements that it is q
counter argument. including some de-
lnands, which puts the German case
II the form of complaint that the
Presidents fourteen points upon
which the basis of the armistice was
sought and granted have not been fol-
lowed or observed in the drafting of
the proposed treaty.
At the first meeting of the German
delegates and the allied peace con-
ferees the enemy spokesman, on plea
of illness, kept his seat while reading
the initial statement. Now, with a
weeks grace of time, comes the bun
dled-up rejoinder, not even translated.
The whole performance of the enemy
delegation at Versailles has been
marked with studied effrontery.
1t is now stated in a Paris dispatch
that June Is is the earliest possible
date on which the German treaty can
be signed, "if no distractions are en-.
countered, but June 20 is more prob
able date for its signature" 1t is to
be hoped that no obstruction will be
encountered. There is q growing feed
ing of Impotence with the delays in
the final settlement Of the peace terms
with the chief enemy. True, it is nee:
essary to observe all the forms de-
manded to make certain that the Ger
mans cannot claim justly lack of
opportunity to state their case.
But the case is actually that of the
allies, not of the Germans. That case
is stated in the peace treaty that vas
rendered May Z. Since that time the
Germans have written many notes,
some of which, it would appear, were
drafted in Berlin before the delega-
ton went to Versailles. None Of them
has changed. the situation in the
slightest. 1t is doubtful whether the
climaxing note, that delivered yester-
day, will in any wise or degree change
it. Some slight modification may be
made in the terms, but not in the
principles on which they are based.
The allied council might have taken
q leaf out Of the German book and
written a reply to the rejoinder in
advance Of its receipt. in order to be
ready for quick action following the
retarded enemy response, which is to
be assumed to be refusal to sign the
treaty in its present form.
Save for the sake Of history an ex-
tended proposal is not desirable. A
very few propositions need be stated:
Germany started the war without ex-
euse or warrant; Germany prosecuted
the war with abominable cruelty and
atroeity; Germany was beaten in the
field and sought an armistice that was
in effect an unconditional surrender,
and these terms are the best that can
be drawn in JUSTICE to those who suf-
fered from German rspacity and rage
and with consideration for Gesmany's
capacity to pay and make good the
losses inflicted by her.
Beyond that it is. hardly necessary
for the allied council to 60 in meet.
ing the latest German note, and little
lime should be given to its compost.
tiof> and brief space allowed after its
delivery for the final decision between
peace on those terms and renewed
war in circumstances assuring com
plete German disaster.