The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-25

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the government departments. He 4
party, and is in line for election to
fOlLo1ciRg dispatch is his first decL'
the peace conference.
BY ALFRED G. ANDERSON,
1. N. s. Stan Correspondent.
N. Y, Copyright, 1919. International News
Service.)
BERLIN, March "a via London,
March 25.-Germany is going to the
Paris peace conference with three
well defined groups of claims:
Restoration of the German col
Onies.
2. Preservation Of Germany's etho-
logical borders.
8. Future nationality Of disputed
European territories formerly form
Ing part Of the German empire to be
considered by INSTRUMENTATION
Germany will enter the peace con-
| ference with a clear understanding
of the obligation OF paying for the
damage done in the devastated re-
gions Of France and Belgium.
She probably will make a formal
request for a huge American loan
to enable her to discharge those obli-
cations.
These are the outstanding .featuI es
Of an interview I have just had with
Count Won Bernstorff, former Ger
% an ambassador to the United States,
who will be an adviser to the Ger
man delegates.
To he Intermediary Link.
Count Won Bernstorff has establish
ed what virtually amounts to a peace
clearing house at 81 Behrenstrasse.
He is to be the intermediary link be-
tween the German cabinet and the
peace delegation at Paris. The Ger
man peace ENJOYS will submit all re-
ports to Won Bernstorff who will then
sift them and transmit the different
parts Of them to the respective gov
eminent departments directly inter-
ested in the various subjects.
Count Won Bernstorff, Furthermore,
will directly forward all instructions
to the Paris delegation.
The former ambassador continues
a leading Democrat in Germany. He is
the originator and the first Presi-
dent Of the new German Democratic
Club. His party has offered him the
first candidacy on the democratic
ticket in the next elections to the
national assembly, and Won BernstOrf
has accepted.
II will head the ticket, and am sure
Of election" he confided to me.
Success In sOeIaIIstS Hands.
The counts friends say he has
chosen the national assembly as al
stepping stone to the German Presi-
dency. His success lies, of course, in
the hands of the Socialists.
EaFTTN--
rated from the government Socialists"
said Won Bernstorh. I'VE diner in
policy only on one OF the main points,
and that is the question OF the ma
tionalizaiton OF property. We Demo- |
Gratis believe in private ownership"
Such are the present political af- |
hliatiOns Of prospects Of the man who |
has been selected to transmit instruc- !
lions to the German peace delegates. /,
/ found Won Bernstorff seated be- |
hind a large 1at-topped mahogany |
desk, dressed in a democrats salt and |
pepper sack suit of the American |
business man, his face partly hidden !
by large tortoise-shell spectacles.
SNOfhInE to HIDE He Says.
This is rather a large order" OBJ /
served the count. when 1 asked him /
to give me a statement OF Germany's /
claims at the peace table. Under the /
Cid style diplomacy such a question |
would hardly have drawn a straight /
answer, as, formerly. il was consid
cred of paramount Importance not to |
expose your cards before the game.
But" he added with a touch OF |
irony, "in these days OF open diplomacy /
we have absolutely nothing TO hide. /
While cannot cover the whole ground
in an interview. l can tell you with
the utmost frankness that Germany
will insist on a peace Of right and J
justice, such as promised the German
people in the most solemn manner by
your President
asked the count whether, in his
opinion, President Wilson had not
made an excellent beginning in that
direction by insisting upon the forma-
ton of a League Of Nations. q.
Sees Amendment Need.
The draft Of the constitution, re-
Piled Bernstorff. sis without doubt
most satisfactory start, and ii GER
tainIy took a man OF Mr.. Wilson's
powerful personality to achieve that
much in the face OF such determined
opposition. Nevertheless. only a small
part Of the constitution bears Mr..
Wilson's personal stamp. The large
is the result OF compromise.
Il shall not go so far as the Figaro,
which Opines that the mystical So
,iety of nations has turned into n
league Of the five great powers which
defeated Germany But | do think
the draft Of the constitution will re-
luire considerable amending to come
lp to the expectations that enlight,l
med mankind has placed in President
plan to make the world safe
against military despotism.
Il may add a remark concerning
he colonial provisions of the combi-
The idea Of putting tropical
colonies under the guardianship Of
he league in order to protect the ma