Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-17
at the Crisis.


/ q V,-s. . nd render their de-
) eis,o. retweeu I, e AM renewed war
! They hro been granted wee. from
7 the delivery of the allied reply to
their counter proposals IN winch TO
consiirr thr son ev.hi ended II ny
provisions and to declare their 4nten-
ton.
TIC notifications granted in the
treaty arc along the lines of some
points of German insistence, but they
do not affect the basic principles of
the terms, nor do they comply with
all the German demands. They grant
a plebiscite Cor upper Silesia, with
guarantees of coal from that ter
ritory; rectifcations of the West Prus-
SIAN frontier; lessening of the area
of the Schleswig plebiscite; temporary
increase of tn, German army to 200,-
600 men; agrer nent to submit within
a month Of hing the treaty list
of those acc 5ci of violating the laws
and customs of war; Ter - cooper
ate with 4 German coclnis 7ion on repar-
alton an 10 receive sug., stions for
discharg ng t. Obligation; some
changes ir certain clauses affecting
finance, eeol omic and transportation
ccndit ons, and finally assurance Of
early membership of Germany IN the
league of nations provided sne fulflis
her Obligations.
Most OF the German Intentions and
proposals arc fatly denied. In prin-
cipie tie treaty as first framed stands
intact. Moreover, the allied reply is
ceuched in a letter, attributed to Pre-
mier Clemenceau. which scores C.-r-
many for the crime of precipitat.n
ehe war and further crimes in the man
ner Of its conduct. It rebukes the
German people for the aeQuiescence
in these crimes and emphasizes the
fact mat their revolt against the auto-
cratic rule did rot occur until n
tsry defeat vas inevitable
Next Monday the Germans must
make their final reply. There will be
no further delay, no eTtensioa OF tins
beyond that already g .nted. between
cow and Mo. day thee VIII be mgc;,
speculation. In Berlin doubtless there
VIII be many delir RANGES by officials
condemning The alfad attitasde and in
dicating 4 disposition to rejoc- the
treaty. But the tine has gone by for
mere rhetoric. The issue is squarey
Up to-the German government, and it
must accept it anu make the most Of
the time granted to prepare, for war
should ii elect that course by reject
ing the treaty, or for a domestic re-
action should it choose the undoubted-
ly-safer course of acceptance
The new German government is now
at its supreme test. Docs it represent
the people Of that country' Is = cana
bic Of meeting this crisis wisel~, With
ont reversion TO the cd trucaaence Of
spirit that has brought Germany to
this grave trjGll The terms presented
are fair IN view OF the requirements
Of justice. They are jnst to the dead
and the living and those unborn in
the allied lands. ravaged by GerUlauy's
wanton acts OF barbarity. They are
Just 20 Germany IN that they grant
her opportuuity- for economic suste-
nance while exaeting preparatory pay
B,ents and resolutions. They are just
to the peoples compelled for many
years to live unwi!linClS under Ger
man rule and nnw granted a chance for
self -determins IN and freedom. hey
are just to ,ise distant colonies mis-
ruled by Germany in her inc. 9acity to
administer the affair Of oth ers.
THIS treatv will, If signed, bring
peace 10 Europe aad i aefest fe, RS
possible afte- 10 great storm of war.
Rejection wll mean anled suffering
chiefly for Germany. and increased
penalties and exact.ous IN tbs iBevi-
table defect which she must suffer.