Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-01-11

Hopes U. s. viii Soon Be In.
Il am naturally happy that peace
has finally become effective" Baron Won
Lersner said. My great regret is that
the United States is the only country
with which Germany is still in a state
of war. | hope, however, that this sit
uation will soon be changed.
Execution of the treaty of YER
salies imposes upon Germany the heav-
lest sacrifice ever borne by nation in
modern times We lost in the west and
in the cast, territories that belonged to
Prussia for many centuries. We have
assumed enormous economic obligations.
Nevertheless / am glad that peace is at
last re-established. because it will give
back to Germany here beloved sons still
prisoners abroad"
Coal Delivery Sample Of Faith.
Asked as to the execution of the terms
OF the treaty, Baron Won Lersner de-
clared that Germany was ready and de-
termined to do her utmost. He con-
tinued:
I'VE have already, even without being
obliged by the terms of the treaty, de-
livered a considerable quantity of pro-
ducts. including two and one half mil
lion tons Of coal to France, and | can
say that Germany will 60 to the utmost
limit of possibility in fulfilling all the
obligations incurred. 1t will mean hard
times for Germany. but with the recovery
of our ardor for labor and production,
We hope to meet every emergency
France Depends on Germany.
The recovery of our prosperity is as
much to the interest of the entente as it
is to us. on account of the great econo-
mic difficulties that threaten all Europe.
1t is obvious. speaking chiefly of
France, that her economic prosperity de-
pends upon the economic recovery of
Germany.
Baron Won Lersner said he had had
several very satisfactory conferences
with Louis Loucheur, French minister
Of reconstruction, regarding the resump-
ton of trade relations between Germany
and France. and added that ne hoped
the European nations, working together,
would solve the great economic problems.
Hopes Trials Will be Dropped.
The most thorny remaining problem
appeared to yon Lersner to be the ques-
tion of extradition of considerable num-
Der of German officers. civilians and
soldiers to be tried for crimes. alleged
to have been committed during the war.
Il do not want TO give up all hope.
continued Baron Won Iersner. that
among the allies the conviction will
finally prevail that. by ayailing them
selves strictly of rights conceded in the
treaty for the extradition of those
accused. they may cause the greatest
hot only for Germany but
for quiet anf order in Europe generally.
We pointed aut two months ago very
frankly to the allies the harmful con-
sequences that might ensue if the right
to demand extradition should be executed
literally. At the same time. we submitted
written suggestions for the solution of
the delicate problem.
Germany willing to Try Them.
'"The principal features of this pro-
position were that Germany would under
take to arraign before the supreme court
Of Germany all persons accused by the
entente: would except all such from the
aw of amnesty. and would consent to the
presence of representatives of the en-
.ente of the trial as public prosecutors,
with fullest rights of control. Germany. |
IN the meantime has enacted laws to
his end.
THE entente did not accept our pro- |
oosals before peace became effective. but |
hat does not preclude serious examina |
ion anew of the problem after the estab- |
ishmnt of peace