The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-06-07
German Counter
Proposals
Allies Seem Infiexible i'm Deter
minatiOn Against Modifica-
ton of Terms

At present writing, there is no positive
assurance that the German delegates will
sign the allied peace terms in unmodi6ed
form, and if reports are true, the allies have
no intention of changing them.
Premier Lloyd George, in a speech at
Amiens, on May Is, is said to have de-
clared: 1--WE say to the Germans, Gentle
men, you must sign. If you don't do so at
Versailles, you shall do so in Berlin. We
are not going to give way"
Count Brockdoroff-Ran head of the
German delegation, in his note dated May
Z9, outlining the German counter pro-
posals, while nowhere asserting that the
delegation will not sign the peace treaty,
said that the German people stood aghast at
the demands made upon them; that they had
come to Versailles in expectation of re-
ceiving proposals based on agreed princi-
pies, and had hoped for a peace of justice );
but that the more deeply they penetrated
into the spirit of this treaty, the more con-
vinced they became of the impossibility of
carrying out its provisions. He declared
the execution of the document to be more
than the German people could bear, and
that the German nation, even in her need,
could not stoop to achieve conditions which
could not be accomplished.
He referred to President Wilson as the
father of their surrender of arms, declaring
that the German people had counted on him.
voluntarily rendering themselves defenseless
on his fourteen points, and asked if these
were to be regarded as a mere military
ruse. The counter proposals, he said, were
based on these fourteen points
In reviewing the allied terms, Count Rant
Eau drew attention to the fact that the
German district of the Saar must be de-
tached from the empire and the way paved
for a subsequent annexation 60 France,
and this in face of the fact that Wilson
had declared against annexation of terri
tory for purposes Of conquest.
He referred to the fact that they were
called upon to renounce west Prussia, which
is preponderantly German, and that east
Prussia be amputated from the body of the
state; also that various other large districts
forming the very foundation of German
industrial life be relinquiShed. He charac-
terized the economic conditions imposed
upon Germany as so severe that her people
would be condemned to perpetual slave
labor" He said however, that Germany
knew that she must make sacrifices in order
to obtain peace; therefore in her counter
proposals she offered to proceed with dis
armament in advance of all other peoples,
in order to show that she will help to usher
ip "new era of the peace of Justice.
He stated that Germany offered to give
up universal compulsory service and reduce
her army to 100000 men, but stipulated that
she be admitted forthwith as state with
equal rights with the League of Nations.
He declared that Germany renounced her
sovereign rights in Alsace-Lorraine, but de-
sired plebiscite of the people.
Regarding the Saar region, he said that
Germany is prepared to insure France a
supply of coal until the French mines are
once more in working order.
In regard to indemnity, he said
Germany is prepared to make payments
incumbent on her in accordance with the
sum of 10O,000,OGO,O00 of gold marks, TO-,
and the balance, 80,000,00O0OO) in annual
payments without interest"
In closing, Count Rantzau declared that
the history of the last few decades had
shown again and again that treaties of
peace signed between great powers, pro-
claimed the right of the stronger, but each
of these treaties had been a factor in orig
mating and prolonging the world war;
and while the Germans were under no de-
lusions regarding the hatred and bitterness
which the war had engendered, yet they had
hoped for the dawn of new era, giving
birth to a treaty instinct with different
spirit.
While it seems to be the general opin-
ion that the German delegates will even
tual1y sign the allied peace terms, even if
unable to secure concessions, The Tdge-
bIat (German) warns the allied countries
against surrounding themselves with illu-
sions, and declares that the German peace
delegation are a unit in their determina
ton not to sign the allied terms in their
present form.
A London dispatch states that imnle-
diately following failure of the Germans
to sign the treaty, Germany will be given
y hours notice of the termination of the
armistice. On the expiration of this per-
iod, the British, French and American
forces will advance into Germany. Stimuli
taneously the blockade will be enforced as
rigidly as possible, and Germany will find
herself cut off from the rest of the world.
A London cable of May 80 states that
number of English peers and publicists
have sent letter to Premier Lloyd George
and President Wilson, urging that the Ger
man appeals for modification of peace terms