The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-06-17
PEACE TERMS
PAY FOR WAR
CRIME, ENEMY
CHIEFS TOLD
Cause of War Reviewed in
Allied Answer to German
Complaints that Accom-
panied New Treaty.
NATION BLAME
tBy Associated Press,

'G1soA1LLES, June 1.-THE de-
tailed reply of the peace conference
to counter-proposals of the Germans.
which was handed to the German dele
gates here today, takes up in its order
each OF the objections made by the
enemy to the provisions Of the orig
inal peace treaty.
Among the notifications which are
acceded to by the conference are
frontier rectifications for West Prus-
sla, plebiscfte in Upper Silesia, with
a guarantee to Germany that she will
receive fair treatment in securing
mineral products from that region:
notifications in the clauses relating
TO nnance, economic and WATERWAYS
phases of the treaty; permission for
Germany to retain 200. 900 men in its
army temporarily and a promise to
furnish Germany within a month with
full list of the persons who are to
be tried for responsibility for the
great conflict and violations of the
laws of war.
Taking up the subject of penalties,
the reply enters into a discussion of
the immediate cause of the war and
says that the conflict was brought
about through the decision, deliber-
ately taken, of the statesmen of Ber-
lin, Vienna and Budapest It is also
pointed out that even the German
memorandum admits that Germany
authorized Austria-Hungary to settle
the Serbian question on her own ini-
tiat1ve and, moreover supported Aus
trfa's repection of Serbia's "extraor-
dlnary concessions. It is declared
that Germany steadily rejected every
proposal for conference and did not
urge moderation until all hope of
avoiding war had vanished. German
attempts to throw the blame on Rus.
sia, because of her mobilization of
her army, it is pointed out, is vitiated
by the fact that this mobilization was
the immediate result OF Austria,s
action.
War Spirit Blamed
But the outbreak Of the war" the
| reply says, was no sudden decision
taken in a difficult crisis. It was the
logical outcome of policy of domin-
alton, aggression and war followed by
Germany for decades. Hypnotized by
Bismarcks spirit Of blood and iron,
| Germany set about sowing suspicion
and discord among the nations, con-
| spring with elements Of unrest in
every land, steadily increasing arma-
ments and mobilizing the universities,
press, pulpit and governmental au-
thorities to further the gospel of ha-
tired and force. The essential truth of
these charges is admitted by the Ger
mans themselves through their revo-
luton.
The war was a crime deliberately
plotted against the life and liberties
of the people of Europe. It brought
death and mutilation to millions, star
yation, unemployment and disease
stalk across the continent from end
to end. The punishment of those re
sponsible for bringing on these Gala
mites is essential on the score of
justice and as deterrent for others
who may be tempted to follow their
example"
The reply asserts the powers can
not "entrust the trial of those re-
sponsible to those who have been their
accomplices." The tribunals estab-
lished for the trial Of those under
charges will represent the deliberate
, judgment OF the greater part of the
, civilized world and there can be no
question Of admitting the right of
jurisdiction of representatives of
, countries which took no part in the
, war. The allies, it is declared, will
stand by the verdict of history for
, the impartially and justice with which
the accused will be tried. The ac-
cused will be insured full rights of
; defense and the judgment of the tri-
+ bunal will have the most solemn judi
cial character. The allied and asso-
ciated powers are prepared to submit
| a final list of those who must be
: handed over to justice within one
: month of the signing of the treaty.
viii Enforce Reparation.
The allied and associated powers
( refuse to enter into a discussion with
r the principles underlying the repara-
e tions clauses, but certain observations
I are made, especially as the German
r proposals are said to present a view
4 SO distorted and inexact as to raise q
: doubt if the clauses were calmly and
l. carefully examined" The problem OF
:. reparations is of such extraordinary
:, magnitude and eomplexity that it can
e be solved only by continuing body
limited in personnel and invested with
n broad powers. The reparation com
o mission, is the reply declares, In
g structed to exercise its powers SO as
v to insure in the interest of all as early
Z and complete discharge by Germany
S of her reparations obligations as is
it consistent with the true maintenance
J. of the social, economic and financial
Y structure of Germany.
o It is pointed out that the commits
e sion is not an engine of oppression
e nor a device for interfering with Ger
it many's sovereignty. Its business Is
st that Germany can pay and report ir
case Germany does not pay. The com
Il mission cannot prescribe or enforce
il taxes or dictate the character of the
German budget, but may examine ths
latter to see If any modification is de
sirable, probably in Germany's inter
ests and to be assured that German
taxation is at least as heavy as thu
st heaviest allied taxation.
,r It is pointed out that not only ar,