South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-23
MAKES PUBLIC
TREATY LETTERS
Correspondence Between the
Council of Four and Ger
man Delegates Given Out

PARIS. May 23.-The following
correspondent between the allied
peace delegates and the German
peace delegates was made public |
Thursday:
Prisoners Of war. Letter from
Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau 20 NJ I
Glenn enceau.
German peace delegation, Yer
sailies. May 10. 1919.
Sir. The German delegation has
noted with satisfaction that the
draft treaty handed TO it recognizes \
the principle that the repatriation
OF German prisoners Of war and
German interned civilians is 10 be
effected with the greatest possible
rapidly.
Wants Special Commission
ct is in accordance with the opin-
ion OF the German peace delegation
that the task Of settling the details
of the execution Of that repatria-
ton should be entrusted 10 a special
commission. Direct conversations
between the commissions Of nearly
all OF the belligerent states in re-
gard 10 prisoners have been shown
10 be the best means OF solving the
differences and II ought 10 be all the
easier at the present moment 20
clear up by early discussion in a
commission any Emergencies of view
or doubts in regard TO certain points
The German peace delegation.
bearing in mind the difference Of
Jurisdiction in the various countries
concerned. is of the opinion. for in
stance. that il Is indispensable for
prisoner OF war and informed civil
ians. who have been detained for
offenses other than those against
discipline 70 be repatriated uncondi-
tionally. Germany recognized this
came principe as regards tns pris-
Oners Of war and interued civilians
of the allied and associated powers
detained in Germany.
Certain Prisoners Rights.
In the view of the German peace
delegation. certain alterations
should. as a matter OF course and
for reasons OF equity, be agreed TO
in favor OF prisoners OF war and in
termed civilians for the period which
will elapse until their final depar-
ture-
The German peace delegation.
has moreover. been compelled 10
note that the arrangements contem-
plated are favorable only TO the al
lied and associated governments. for
instance, so far as concerns the res
storation of private property. the
search for persons who have Jisap-
peared and the care 10 be taken Of
graves. The German peace delega-
ton presumes that. for questions
such as these, complete reciprocity
may be required for general reasons
OF humanity.
Because OF the great cchnical
difficulty Of repatriating prisoners of
war and interned civilians. especial
~ in view OF the shortage OF tonnage
and the lack Of coal. the greatest
importance should be attached TO
finding a solution of all preliminary
questions before the dispatch of the
repatriated prisoners and informed
civilians actually begins. For that
reason, the German peace delegation
proposes that the commission should
start its deliberations forthwith
separately from all other questions.
Many Prisoners Overseas.
THE explanation Of this proposal
lies, firstly. in the fact that there are
thousands OF German prisoners and
interned civilians in overseas coun-
tries. but the German delegation is
likewise thinking OF the Germans
who are in Siberia and whose dis
patch seems 10 be "a question mo-
-
traordinary difficulty
The German delegation. for i'm,
stances OF internal policy. regards il
OF the utmost importance that the
German prisoners of war and in
termed civilians. should be returned
20 their homes in as normal a con
dition as possible, in order that thel
might there be brought back as rap
idly as possible into the econcmi,
life of the country.
That only appears possible-th,
precise settlement of transport prob
lens apart-if everything possible il
done TO improve the mental an,
physical state of those who are re
turning home
Own Resource Inadequate.
Having regard 10 the present sit
uation in respect Of economic exist
ence in Germany. it must be admit
ted that Germany unable TO do Will
her own resources everything re
Quired I'm order TO secure that end
This refers especially 10 food am
clothing; therefore the German del
egatiOn thinks II desirable that tn
deliberations OF the commission
should likewise include an eNamina
tion OF the question of the manne
in which the allied and associate
governments might assist German
IN the solution Of these problems.
THE question arises. for instance
Of supplying against repayment
complete sets OF clothing. under
clothing and civilian clothing an
footwear for the prisoners befor
their dispatch
Il avail myself. etc. etc
tSigned)
"BROCKDORFE'- RANTZAU."
Text OF the reply approved b