The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-06-18
PEACE OR WAR
LEFT TO ENEMY
Allies Deliver Final UItimatum To
Germans and Decision Rests
With Them.
GUILTY MUST SUFFER
Their Punishment Is Necessary 70
Deter Others In Future, Says Re.
ply of Allies to Counter
proposals of Foe.

Paris, June 18.-The detailed reply
of the peace conference to the counter.
proposals of the Germans, which was
handed to the German delegation at
Versailles, takes up i'm its order each
of the objections made by the enemy
to the provisions of the original peace
treaty.
Among the notifications to the trea.
ty which are acceded to by the con-
ference are frontier rectifications for
Silesia, with a guaranty to Germany
that she will receive fair treatment in
securing mineral products from that
region; notifications in the clauses re.
lating to finance, economic and water
ways phases of the treaty; permission
for Germany to retain 100000 men in
Its army temporarily and promise to
furnish Germany within 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.
War Was Deliberate Act.
Taking up the subject of penalties,
the reply enters into 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" II Is
pointed out that even the German
memorandum admits that Germany
authorized Austria Hungary to settle
the Serbian question on her own ini-
tiative and, moreover, supported Aus
tria's rejection of Serbia's "extraor-
dinary concessions"
II is declared that Germany steadily
rejected every proposal for a confer
ence and did not urge moderation till
all hope of avoiding war had vanished.
German attempts to throw the blame
on Russia, because of her mobilization
of her army, ii is pointed out. is vitiat-
ed by the fact that this mobilization
was the immediate result OF Austria's 9
action.
But the outbreak of the war;" the
reply says, was no sudden decision
taken In difficult crisis. 1t was the
logical outcome of a policy of domina-
tion, aggression and war followed by
Germany for decades. Hypnotized by
Bismarck's 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 author
ity to indoctrinate the gospel of hatred
and force. The essential truth of these
charges is admitted by the Germans
themselves through their revolution.
Punishment Essential.
''The war was crime deliberately
plotted against the life and liberties of
the people of Europe. 1t brought death
and mutilation to millions. Starvation.
unemployment and disease stalk
across the continent from end to end.
The punishment of those responsible
for bringing on these calamities Is
essential on the score of justice and
as deterrent for others who may be
tempted to follow their example"
The Allies. it is declared, will stand
by the verdict of history for the inn
partiaIity and justice with which the
accused will be tried. The accused
will be insured full rights of defense
and the judgment of the tribunal will
have the most solemn judicial char
acter. The Allied and Associated
Powers are prepared to submit final
list Of those who must be handed over
to justice within one month of the
signing Of the treaty..
Problem OF Reparations.
The problem of reparations is OF
such extraordinary magnitude and
complexity that it can be solved only
by continuing body. limited in per.
sonnel and invested with broad pow.
ers. The reparation commission, the
reply declares. Is instructed to exer'
else its powers so as to insure In the
interest of all as early and complete
q discharge by Germany of her repara.
tions obligations as is consistent with
the true maintenance of the social
economic and financial structure OF
Germany.
Germans Have Four Months.
The powers are willing that within
four months OF the signature OF the
treaty Germany may submit any pro
posals she may choose to make. In
particular, she may offer lump sum
for all or part OF her liability. under
take to reconstruct all or part Of q
damaged district. offer labor. technical
service or material for reconstruction
or II short. suggest any feasible plan
to simplify the assessment OF dam
age, eliminate any question from the
scope OF the inquiry. promote the per