Williston graphic., 1919-05-08

cause it left undecided the proportion
Of the total reparation money to be al
lotted to them, and the Brussels gov
ernment decided it, delegates could
not sign a treaty that did not provide
for a complete fulnllment Of the prom
ises made Belgium by her allies.
These and several other matters hav-
ing delayed the completion Of the peace
treaty, 1t could not be presented to the
Germans last week. but this ceremony.
it was believed. would take place Mon
day. The German plenipOtentiaries
arrived at Versailles on Wednesday
and were received by Z representative
Of the French foreign ministry with
cold but carefully studied-out formal
ity, after which they were housed in
the Hotel des Reservoirs. On Thurs
day they handed over their credentials
to an allied commission headed by
Jules Cambon, and the same day wit
messed their first formal meeting with
the allied peace commissioners as rep
resented by a special committee that
included Americans.
Though these Germans are called
plenipotentiaries, there was some
doubt last week as to the adequacy
of their powers and especially as to
their qualifications to speak and act
for Bavaria. Examination into this
matter, it was said. might further de-
lay the presentation of the peace terms.
It is understood the Germans will be
given enough time to study the treaty
and to transmit 1t to the national as
sembly at Weimar, but that its terms
would not be subject to any material
notifications at their demand. Should
the Germans refuse to sign the treaty
their further resistance to the allies
could be but little more than passive,
and doubtless Marshal Foch has In
hand full plans to meet that situation.
These presumably wIlld include the
occupation Of more German territory,
the seizure Of more material resources
and the continuation oe the blockade.
Prominent Huns are quoted daily in
protest against the ''harshness" Of the
terms, which they aver will only throw
Germany into the hands Of the bolshe-
wiki. An argument that already has
lost most Of its force. The publication
Of the terms which Herr Erzberger had
drawn up to be imposed on the allies
after their defeat doesn't tend to in
crease the spirit Of leniency toward
the Huns. for they were planning to
impose on France and Belgium the
most crushing Of terms.
That the former kaiser will be tried
for at least some of his crimes seemed
reasonably certain, since the commits
sion on responsibility recommended
that he be arraigned before an inter-
national tribunal mot for an ohenso
against criminal law, but for 4 su-
preme offense against international
morality and the sanctlty Of treaties. .
This decision was reached despite the
sentimental protests Of the japanese
and the painfully technical objections
Of Mr.. Lansing. The viewpoint Of the
Japanese is easily understandable.
since for them to admit that kaiser
Of Germany is responsible for his ac-
tions to anyone short of divinity
would be knocking of one Of the legs
of their own emperor's throne. Per
haps Mr.. Lansing could make his po-
sition clear to q committee Of the
bar association, but the layman can
scarcely comprehend It.
According to the recommendation Of
the commission, offenders Of lesser
rank are to be tried before tribunals
Of the country or countries whose na.
tionals suffered by their crimes. The
German government Is required to fdr.
nish all documents and information n
its possession necessary to discover
the offenders and FIX their responsible.
ity. The Netherlands government Il
to be asked to surrender the ex>kaiser
and the German government is called
on to give up all the other accused
persons.
The revised covenant Of the league
Of nations was made public Monday
and at plenary session Of the peace
conference it was adopted unanimously
or motion Of President Wilson. He
first explained to the delegates al thu
changes that had been made and thu
reasons therefor. Italy was not pres
ent at the meeting, but It was included
among the charter members Of thu
league. The French and japanese
amendments were Offered and dis
cussed briefly, but were not pressed
and the covenant was adopted withou
their inclusion. Sir James Eric Drum