The sun., 1919-05-24
GERMANY MUST PAY
TO LIMIT OF ABILITY
Allied Answer to Rantzau Re-
ply O Refusal to Abate
Terms.
LESS THAN HER DESSERTS
Argument of Teutons Shown
to Be FallaciOus and Are
Rejected as Such.

PARIS, May 23.-Germany's share of
the burdens growing out Of the war. as
set down in the economic terms of the
peace treaty. Ia based on her ability to
shoulder 1t and not according to her
desserts. the Allied and Associated
Council declares in its answer to the
Germ note of protest against this Sec
ton OF the treaty.
Germany was mainly responsible for
the damage and destruction. It is point
ed out, and she cannot escape that re-
sponstbility. 1t Is not the peace terms,
the Allied note says. but the acts Nof
those who made and continued the war.
which are the cause of any sufferings
Germany may have to bear.
The Allied answer. which was made
public to-day with the text OF the Ger
mar note, is negative. 1t points out that
the German plea 10 exaggerated and ig-
nores the fundamental considerati
which led to the imposition OF the terms.
The loss to world shipping through
the German submarine campaign, II Is
stated in reply, was nearly $4,000, 900
tons. The Allies propose to make Ger
many repay only 100000 tons. Re-
sponsibility for this shortage in ship
ping is placed directly on Germany and
the German share In replacing 1t is
called very moderate
Relieved Of 100000 Persons.
In answer to the German plea that
Germany will be called upon to feed
81 200, 900 persons. II is cited that the
peace treaty takes 100000 out of Ger
| man control. II Is added that German
agriculture is in better shape than those
Of Poland, Belgium and Northern
France, where the fighting was heaviest.
The Germans complained that they
| would lose certain necessary ccmmodi-
| ties The Allied reply il that Germany
can import these goods. Germany. II is
! p sserted. destroyed the Lens coal felds,
and the coal fields taken from her in
payment for the destruction wrought
| still leaves her sufficient sources OF this
fuel.
The Germans complained that the
German population would suffer under
the treaty, which was described as
death sentence" The reply points out
that all countries are suffering as a re-
suit OF the war. and there Is no reason
| why Germany. which was responsible
for the war. should not suffer. German
| figures as to the loss in population due
to the blockade and speculation as to
what will happen TO the population in
the future are declared to be fallacious.
There will be every opportunity for Ger
/ many to make her position in the world
both stable and prosperous. Germany,
It is pointed out. has not suffered from
pillage and devastation, and there will
| be a saving from reduction OF arma-
ments and the size OF her army and In
the turning OF the armament making
population to works OF peace.
Note Oh the Germans.
The note from Count Won Brockdorff-
| Rantzau, head OF the German peace
delegation at Versailles. regarding the
economic effect Of the peace treaty
dated at Versailles. May IS. reads:
"MR. PRESIDENT In conformity with
my communication OF the eth instant
l have the honor to present to your Ex-
celleacy the report OF the economic COM
mission charged with the study OF the
conditions of peace on the situation OF
the German population:
" In the course of the last two gener-
atoms Germany has become transformed
from an agricultural State 10 an indus
trial state. As long as she was an agri-
cultural State Germany could feed 49,
100000 inhabitants In her quality OF
an Industrial State she could insure the
nourishment of a population OF 67.000,-
600 In 1913 the importation OF food
stuns amounted in round figures to 49,
000.o 600 tons Before the war a total OF
100000 of persons provided for their
existence in Germany by foreign trade
and by navigation. either in a direct or
an indirect manner, by the use OF for.
eign raw material
According 10 the conditions of the
treaty OF peace Germany will surrender
her merchant tonnage and ships In
course of construction suitable for over
seas trade. German shipbuilding yards
will build for Ave years in the first in.
stance tonnage destined for the allied
and associated Governments. Germany
Will. moreover. renounce her colonies
all her overseas possessions. all her in.
teress and securities in the allied and
associated countries and In their colon,
les, dominions and protectorates will
as an instalment OF the payment fol
part OF the reparation, be subject e
liquidation and may be exposed TO an,
other economic war measure which tn,
allied and associated Powers think At Il
maintain or TO take during the years Of
peace.
By the putting into force of tn,
territorial clauses of the treaty OF peac,
Germany would lose to the east tn,
most important regions for the produc