The sun., 1919-06-23
GERMANS PLEAD
FOR MITIGATION
Assert Severity Of Conditions
Are Reduced but Slightly
by Allies.
TEXT OF THE PETITION
People Honestly Wish for
Peace, Letter Says. but
Terms Unfulfillable.
TEXT OF THE PETITION

PARIS. June 22.--The German note,
in which Germany agrees to sign the
treaty, with two reservations. was re-
ceived by the president OF the Peace
Conference at o'clock this evening.
The reply Of the Allies through the
Council OF Four. was transmitted TO
the German plenipotentiaries at Ner-
sailles.
The German note follows, dated Yer
sailles June % and addressed TO NJ.
Clemenceau:
"The Imperial Minister of Foreign AZ
fairs has instructed me to communicate
the following to your EXcellency:
THE Government of the German Re-
public has from the moment when the
peace conditions of the allied and asso-
ciated Governments were made known
to it let no doubt exist as to the fact
that the Government. in harmony with
the whole German people, must regard
these conditions as being in sharp con-
tradiction to the principle which was
accepted by the allied and associated
on the other, as being binding in ac-
cordance with the laws of nations for
the peace before the conclusion of the
armistice.
Relying upon this principle OF JUS
tice which was agreed upon between the
parties to the negotiations and as
sisted by a clear exposition OF condi-
1,a
left no stone untu@ned in order to ar
rive at a direct verbal exchange Of
opinions, and thus obtain some mit!ga-
tion OF the unbearsbly harsh condi-
tions which might render il possible for
pthe Government of the German Re
public to sign the treaty Of peace with
out reservations, and to guarantee its
execution.
Counter Proposals Fail.
These endeavors of the Government
o.: the German republic. which were
undertaken in the interest of the peace
OF the world and the reconciliation of
peoples. have failed owing to rigorous
insistence on the conditions of peace.
Far reaching counter proposals OF the
German delegation have only in certain
points received any acceptance. The
concessions made only reduced the Sc
verify of the conditions in a small degree.
THE allied and associated Govern
ments have in an ultimatum which eN-
Dires on June 23. confronted the Govern
ment OF the German republic with the
decision either TO sign the treaty of peace
presented by them or refuse 10 sign. In
the latter case a completely defensive
people has been threatened with the
forcibie imposition OF the conditions of
peace already presented and with the in
crease of heavy burdens.
THE German people does not wish
for the resumption of the bloody war, II
honestly wishes for a lasting peace. In
view of the attitude OF the allied and as
ISOLATED Governments, the German peo-
pie has no other force in its hands save
to appeal to the eternally inalienable
right to an independent life, which be-
longs to the German people, as to all
/ peoples.
Very Body 10 he Cut on.
The Government OF the German re-
public can lend ia. support TO this sa-
| cred right o. the German people by the
! application of force. The Government
, only hopes for support through the con-
science of mankind No people includ-
| ing those OF the allied and assoCia ted
/ Powers, could expect the German people
! to agree with thorough conviction to an
| instrument of peace, whereby living
members of the very body of the Ger
man people are to be cut on. without
consultation OF the populations con-
oerned whereby the dignity Of the
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