The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-05-12
GERMANY ASKS
EARLY RETURN
4 OF PRISONERS
Count Rantzau Addresses
Note 10 CIemenCeau,
By The Associated Press)


PARIS, Sunday May ll-Coun'
Won Brockdorii- Rantzau, German for
eign minister and chiei Of the German
peace Il t'gation. in addressing a note
TO Prem NJ Clcmcnccau relative 10 the
repairsJjn OF prisoners. asks that the
drtails Of the transfer be entrusted 10
commission
The German foreign minister states
that Tive German peace delegation has
"noied with satisfaction" that the draft
of the treaty recognizes IN principle
the repatriation OF German war and
civilian prisoners with great expcoi-
ton and says that special commissions
might carry on direct oral discussions
which wonld include all bclllgcGcn'
states. it being pointed ont that even
during hoStilics thl, has proved a
most effective way of solving Diff
cultcS
Work Might Be Simphfed
The note SAYS that 'hl, work should
be much caNcr. now that the war IS
over and would remove differences OF
conception or lack oi clearncSS m par
,icular points. such as legal conccp-
lions In individual countries. The
German delegation. Il is SAID. con'id-
ers It indispensable that those war and
civilian prisoners detained or under
gong punishment for other than dis
ciplinary oiicn.cs should IN principle
be included among those to be uncon-
ditionally repatfatcd.
Regarding war and civilian prison
ers OF allied and associated powers IN
its hands" the note says, Germany
mas recognized the same principle. II
appears scli-eyidcnt TO the German
delegation therefore tha, on grounds
of fairness certain allcyiationS in the
treatment of prisoners should be
agreed upon pending their return
One-Sded Stipulations.
The note then proceeds
'ln one-sdod manner, some feel
the Sipulations have been made in
favor OF the allied and associated gov
ernmcntS For instance, those regard
ing the surrender Of personal property
the search for missing objects and the
care OF graves might be cited. 1t is
assumed that these questions demand
for a complete reciprocity, IS founded
on general human rights
The note then refers TO number
Of minor points and proposes that de-
libcratiouS hv commissions should he
begun speedily to clear up prelimina-
res .n readiness for the time when
shining and similar difficulties may
be solved and the removal of the pris-
uners return home under orderly con-
Ai,ims nSurinc their reinstatement
into economic lie with the greatest
possible dispatch and SAYS that this
seems only possible If everything j.
Done t. raise the moral and physical
state ot those returning.
Ask Allies to Clothe Men.
Since Germany's economic position
prevents her by her own strength
from providing the requisite guaran-
tees. the delegation suggests that the
deliberations OF the commissions
might extend TO the question of how
far it would be possible on the part
of the allied and associated govern
men,s to help Germany in the matter
and for example in return for the re
payment OF the cost to provide the
prisoners with new outfits. under
clothing. civilian suits and boots be-
fore their return.
The note concludes Accept, Herr
President, the expression of my most
particular esteem"
In his note dealing with labor ques-
tons, Count Won Brockdorif- Rant1au
SAYS that the German government
agrees with the allied and associated
government that the most attention
mist be paid to the problems.
Internal peace and human progress
depend on how these questions are
handled" the note says The demand
for social justice repeatedly drawn
up in this connection by workers OF
all lands only partly find endorsement
in principle in this section OF the
allied governments draft of the peace
terms. These high demands have for