New-York tribune., 1919-05-23
German Reply to Urge
Il Reuision of Treaty
Fipe Sections to Deal With All
the Issues From Political
and Territorial to Economic


BERLIN, May 21 (By The Associated
Press).-The German reply to the
Allied peace terms will be in five sec
tions dealing with political and terri
torial issues, the league of nations, and
financial and economic questions.
The notes already transmitted to the
Allied and associated powers, the Ger
mans believe, will afford basis for
negotiations on some of these ques-
tlons, and also may serve as suggest
ing way over obstacles in the way
of negotiations on the peace treaty.
The preamble to the reply will de-
clare the terms are unacceptable on
their face in that they are. violation
of President Wilson's peace programme
which, Germany will claim, primarily
accords her equality as one of the
negotiating parties.
The German counter proposals will
be OF definite character, and some
Of them will be so framed as to in
vite or suggest q revision of the pres
ent torms 1t also is believed the Ger
mans will suggest that neutral arbi-
traitors be called in where the issues
are exceptionally complex, and that
they will recommend the appointment
of mixed commissions comprising
Allied, German and neutral representa-
tives to pass upon the question of the
restoration of the devastated districts
and some of the more urgent problems
relating to international trade.
The reply also will discuss Germany's
present relations with Austria, con-
testing against her being charged with
esponsibility for the acts Of her
former allies.
In the territorial issues involved
Germany will definitely take the posi-
tion that the solution Of these prob
lens be based upon President Will
sons plan for a decision Of nationality
by a majority of the Inhabitants. as
made known through the medium of
plebiscite.
The German Cabinets declaration.
issued officially and exclusively through
The Associated Press on Tuesday, that
Germany would decline to sign the
peace terms as presented to her at
Versailles, reflects the underlying note
OF the official reply to be made to the
Allied and associated powers. In fact,
the statement as a whole virtually rep
resents the preamble Of the document
which Count Won BrockdorfF Rantzau.
the head OF the German delegation. is
expected to deliver at Versailles be-
foro the end Of the present week.
Proposals To Be Specific
This document will be complcmented
by specific proposals and counter pro-
posals, which will bring the volume
of the reply up to about sixty type
written pages This is exclusive OF
the various notes already transmitted,
announcement of which was made by
the German delegation in Tuesdays
communication to President Clemen-
ccau Of tho peace congress-
The delay of several DAYS in the
framing Of tho reply has been due TO-
the absence of confirmation from Count
Won brockdorf Rantzau and his associ-
ates at Versailles OF decisions reached
at Berlin. The Germans have been
carrying on deliberations at no less
than three places-Versailles, Spa and
berlin-this separation making more
dihicult the work of coordinating and
uhlfying the steps decided upon. In
berl'n 'hcre appears to have been the
greatest difficulty as the work of get
ting the peace commissioners and the
National Assembly in agreement is
sald 70 have been much delayed through
tho constant intervention Of the partv
leaders.