New-York tribune., 1919-05-23

thousands of German prisoners of war
and interned civilians in overseas
countries, but the German delegation
is likewise thinking of the Germans
who are in Siberia, and whose dispatch
seems to be q question not only of
special urgency, but of extraordinary
difficulty.
"The German delegation for reasons
of internal policy regards it of the
utmost Importance that the German
prisoners of war and interned civilians
should be returned to their homes in
as normal a condition as possible, in
order that they might there be brought
back as rapidly as possible into the
economic life of the country That
only appears possible-the precise set
tlement of transport problems apart
if everything possible is done to i'm
prove the mental and physical state
of those who are returning home.
Food and Clothing
Having regard to the present sit
uation in respect of economic existence
in Germany, it must be admitted that
Germany is unable to do with her own
resources everything required in order
to secure that end. This refers espe-
cially to food and clothing; therefore,
the German delegation thinks it de-
srable that the deliberations of the
commission should likewise include an
examination of the question of the
manner in which the Allied and asso-
clated governments might assist Ger
many in the solution of these prob
lens.
"The question arises, for instance,
of supplying against repayment COM
plete sets of clothing, Undertaking
and civilian clothing and footwear for
the prisoners before their dispatch.
II avail myself, etc, etc.
(Signed)
"BROCKDORFF- -RANTzAU."
Text of the reply approved by the
council of the principal Allied and as
soclated powers to the letter from
Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau, dated
May 10, 1919:
Paris, May 80, 1919.
Sir: The representatives of the AL
lied and associated powers have given
consideration to the repatriation of the
German prisoners of war In reply
they wish to state that they cannot
agree that prisoners Of war and civilian
prisoners who have been guilty of
crimes or penal offences should be re-
leased These crimes and penal of
fences have been committed on Allied
soil and have been dealt with bv the
legally constituted authorities, without
reference to the fact that the wrong
doer was a German rather than an AL
lied citizen.
For instance, certain German pris-
oner broke at night into the house of a
farmer on whose estate he was set to
work, and murdered the farmer and his
wife in cold blood with a bill hook. For
this double murder the said prisoner
was sentenced to death on June II,
1918. by regularly constituted court
martial. Under the Bernc Convention.
however, the execution of the sentence
is suspended until peace is signed. JUS
tlce certainly would not be satisfied if.
as a consequence of the treaty, this
murderer was reprioved.
For these reasons the Allied and as
soclated powers cannot agree to alter
the provisions of the draft treaty in
respect Of prisoners Of war who have
been guilty of crimes or penal Of
fences.
"ln regard to the second question
the German peace delegation makes no
specific suggestions as to the allevia-
ton which they would propose for the
prisoners of war and interned civilians
l,t0 r
peace and their repatriation. The
Allied and associated powers are not
aware of what alleviation it is pos
slole to make, seeing that they have
scrupulously endcavored to observe
both the laws of war and the dictates
of humanity in the treatment which
they nave given to prisoners Of war,
and that, as provided in the last sec
ton of Article 21S, it is essentio that
prisoners of war and interned civilians
should remain subject TO discipline and
control pending their repatriation, in
the interests of all concerned
Promise Fair Treatment
THE German peace delegation NAV
rest assured that it is the intention of
the Allied and associated govern
ments to treat their prisoners of war
during the period between the signing
OF peace and their repatriation with
full consideration of their feelings and
needs.
The restitution Of personal propertv
TO prisoners of war constitutes a legal
right which the Allied and associated
powers have every intention of respect
ing. AS regards information about the
missing. the Allied and associated
powers have always cndeavored to sun
ply the German government with all
information in their possession on this
subject, and they will certainly con-
tlnuc to do so after peace is signed
Concerning the care of graves. they
would point out that Articles 225 and
226 would appear to assure 10 tho
German people that the graves of their
fellow citizens shall be both respocted
and properly maintained and that so