The New York herald., 1920-01-11

with which Germany is still in state
of war. / hope, however, that this sit
uation will soon be changed.
Execution Of the treaty of Versailles
imposes upon Germany the heaviest sac
rifices ever borne by a nation in modern
times. We lost in the west and in the
east territories that belonged to Prussia
for many centuries. We have assumed
enormous economic obligations. Never
theless, am glad that peace is at last re-
established. because it will give back to
Germany her beloved sons still prisoners
abroad"
Asked as to the execution of the terms
of the treaty, Baron Won Lersner declared
that Germany was ready and determined
to do her utmost He continued
1--WE have already, even without being
Obliged by the terms of the treaty, de-
llivered a considerable quantity of prod
ucts, including two and one-half million
| tons of coal, to France, and can say that
Germany will go to the utmost limit OF
possibility in fulfilling all the obligations
she has 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.
"The recovery of our economic pros
perity is as much TO the interest Of the
Entente as it is to us, on account OF the
great economic difficulties that threaten
all Europe It is obvious, speaking chiefly
of France, that her economic prosperity
depends upon the economic recovery OF
lGermany."
Baron Won Lersner said he had had sew
eral very satisfactory conferences with
ouis Loucheur, French Minister of Re-
construction, regarding the resumption Of
trade relations between Germany and
France. and added that he hoped the Euro
pean nations working together. would
solve the great economic problems.
The most thorny remaining problem APP
peared to Won Lersner to be the question
of the extradition or a considerable num-
Der of German officers. officials and sol
ders to be tried for cimes alleged to have
been committed DUNG the war.
/ Lcague Begins Next Friday.
/ The putting of the League of Nations int
being, which will be one OF the immediat,
| consequences of the exchange Of ratifica.
tion of the treaty OF Versailles, viii occur
in Paris at half-past ten o'clock in th'
morning of Friday. January is. the Su-
preme Council decided today
| Ambassador Wallace cabled this decision
of the council to President Wilson so that
the President might issue the formal notice
of the meeting Of the Council OF the League
to be held on the date named.
/ The first meeting OF the council will be
called TO order and presided over by Leon
Bourgeois. representative Of France IN the
council. He will deliver p brief address
Earl Curzon. the British Foreign Secre-
tary, who will represent Great Britain al
the meeting. also will speak
| Previous 10 the exchange OF ratifca-
tions Baron Kurt Won Jersner head Of
the German mission, signed the protocol
of November ], providing for reparation
for the sinking OF the German warships
at Scapa Flow and 10 insure the carrying
out of the armistce terms. The signing
of this document occurred in tho office
of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Baron Won Lersner and Herr Won SIM
son, the other German representative
were among the last of those to arrive al
the Foreign Ministry for the days cere-
monies. They passed into the Foreign Of
flee shortly after Premier Clemenceau
who, as usual, was given an ovation as
he stepped out Of his car.
| The delegates assembled In the private
office of the Minister OF Foreign Affairs
where at a secret session the protocol was
signed at nine minutes past four o'clock
Led by Premier Clemenceau, the dele
gates then filed into the famous Clocl
Room, where were held the plenary ses
|
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