Evening star., 1924-12-23
Treaty Violations.


veloped in the matter of the evacua-
tion of the Cologne section in Ger.
many by British troops, scheduled for
the 10th of January, in accordance
with the terms of the Versailles treaty.
Notice has been given by the British
government that it will not withdraw
the troops on that date on the ground
that the disarmament conditions of
the treaty had not been fulfilled by
Germany. This claim is strengthened
control commission, which has been
forwarded from Berlin to the council
of amba ssadors. 1t is stated in the re-
port, according to dispatches, that not
only have the German authorities OBJ
structed the conduct of the inquiry Of
the commission, but that Germany
still maintains, in violation OF the
treaty. facilities for the manufacture
Of heavy artillery. For instance, at
the Krupps works are still lathes for
the manufacture Of great guns such
as were used in shelling Paris. These
should have been destroyed under the
treaty.
The council of ambassadors will
meet tomorrow at Paris. 1t must con-
slider this question of the evacuation
in the light of not only the report Of
the military control commission but
with reference to the execution of the
Dawes reparation plan. Germany has
protested delay in evacuation on the
ground that it violates the treaty and,
moreover, prejudices the reparations
situation by making it difficult, per-
haps impossible. to organize a min
istry for carrying out the Dawes plan.
Germany is either acting in good
faith in the matter Of disarmament or
she is not. There is no middle ground.
Suspicion that she is not has been rife
ever since the close Of hostilities. Nu
merous reports have been made show
ing specific infractions of the treaty.
Pleas have always been entered, as
they are now, that these infractions
are merely physical details of neg
hgible character But the assemblage
Of large quantities of arms in secret
places, discovered by the interallied
commission, cannot be rated as an i'm
material detail. Nor the preservation
of machines for the making Of great
guns, distinctly prohibited by the
treaty. Nor the maintenance of large
potential military forces under the
guise of police organizations.
-;<Y,
tions, that of failing to respect the dis
armament requirement and that Of
failing to evacuate Cologne on the
specified date, there is no question as
to righteousness. The evacuation Of
the Cologne district by a certain date
is stipulated, but that is predicated
upon a complete fulfllment by Ger.
many of the treaty requirements. In
other words. il the treaty is not full
filled as to disarmament by the 10th
of January, Germany cannot claim
treaty violation If the evacuation is
not effected then.
Still, this is not a case for extreme
exactions. The main purpose is to put
Germany in position to carry out its
reparation obligations. Reoccupation
after evacuation is always possible.
The council of ambassadors may vote
= to quit the occupied area, and at the
same time to insist upon a thorough
execution of the disarmament clauses
of the treaty. Germany has no case
whatever on the score of secret arma-
ment, and cannot defend herself If the
charges Of the interallied commission
are justified.