The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-29

Government" by strictly democratic
one and that Germany in her proposals
for a League OF Nations has adhered to
the principle of a limitation of arma-
ments.
at would be difficult to see," one sec
ton reads, what different conditions
could have been imposed upon an i'm
perialistic Government. The solmen as
surances Of France, Great Britain and
President Wilson. that the peace would
be a peace OF right and not OF violence.
have not been kept, especially regarding
territorial questions"
The reply complains that might be-
fore right" dominates the whole Entente
treaty.
Cites Italy as Conquest Seeker.
Objection is expressed to the demand
that Germans be surrendered for trial In
enemy courts. the reply contending that
an impartial authority ought to be in
stituted to establish all violations Of in
ternational law by whoever committed.
1t is asserted by the Germans that al
though the speech made by President
Wilson in October. 1916, recognized that
responsibility for the war rested on the
entire European system, the treaty re-
ouires Germany to acknowledge that she
and her allies were responsible for all
damage suffered in opposing countries.
1t Is asserted that It is incontestable that
some OF the allied and associated Pow
ers. such italy and R1imania, entered
the war for the sake Of territorial con-
quest
The German counter proposals argue
that there is no basis OF right for the
obligation to make compensation which
is to be imposed on Germany. Com
plant is made that the amount OF
compensation is TO be fixed by a hostile
commission whose powers would enable
it to administer Germany as a bank
rupt State. This. Il is declared, is in
compatible with the innate right Of
nations
The statutes of the League OF Nations
1t Is further asserted, contradict nu-
merous declarations made by the Gov
ernments opposed to Germany, and the
league Is merely a continuation OF the
enemy coalition. 1t ~ added that there
il no realization of d real League OF
Nations, and that in its present form
the league reestablishes in effect the
alliance of 1918.
The reply maintains that the treaty
shows Germany as nation which is
simply TO be destroyed. and adds
This is a complete reputation 'of
the idea that every nation has a right
to existence and violates the right Of
seif-determination."
jections to the proposed treatment of the
Saar region, Eupen. Malmedy, Morosnet
and Alsace and the eastern frontiers
and argues that the worst manifesto
ton of the disregard of the right Of
self-determination is the separation of
Danzig from the German Empire Other
abroyations of this right, as cited in the
statement, include the refusal to allow
the millions OF Germans in German
Austria TO unite with Austria, while
other millions OF Germans are forced
to remain under the new Czechoslavak
State.
"snbjected to slavery"
Section III. OF the counter proposals
reiterates the declaration that the draft
of the peace treaty is in sharpest contTa-
diction to the basis of right for lasting
peace, ''of right which was agreed
upon" 1t says that the treaty in
wolves destruction of German economic
life and subjects the German people to
a financial slavery unparalleled in the
history of the world"
II such a treaty came into force. 1t is
declared, II would mean fresh
catastrophe for the whole world. The
German statement adds:
"A dying philosophy of imperialistic
and capitalistic tendencies is here cele-
brating It's last terrible triumph. -. 4.
We appeal to the innate right OF men
and nations, under which the British
State developed. the Dutch people
liberated themselves. the North Ameri-
can nation established its independence
and France shook off its absolutism.
The sustainers of a sacred tradition
cannot refuse it to people which has
Just won the power to live according to
its own free-will."
The newspapers comment at great
length on the counter proposals.
Theodor Wolff. In the TdoebIdtt, says
the whole counter draft corresponds to
the democratic ideals OF right and in no
way to military nationalist conceptions
The demand that the occupation troops
shall return home in six months at the
latest also might be reckoned as meant
TO effect the preservation of German
sovereignty.
Vorpderts says: Every one in Ner-
many has read the text with heavy
heart. II sober reason prevailed at
Paris IL would jump at this proposal"
VorpGerts, however. thinks that the
signing OF the Entente draft will be
insisted upon.
German Paciasts Write Wilson.
The German Peace Society has writ
ten an open letter TO President Wilson,
In which It is asserted that the German
pacifists. even at the moment OF the
greatest German successes, never de-
nlanded other than a peace Of right and.
therefore, they have the right to protest
against the peace for which the Presi-
dent is partly responsible. The letter
continues:
I'VE are told that the terms presented
are a compromise between your princi-
pies and the far more extensive claims
of ypuE allies. The Society, therefore,
thanks you that the conditions are not
more monstrous than they are
I'VE venture to remark that a COM
promise is possible between questions
of opportunity or application OF princl-
les, bait not as regards themselves"
After asserting that the principle of
full publicity for the NEGOTIATIONS was
ahando ned, the letter adds:
''You have been conducted over the
battief,sds of devastated France and