The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1919. THE ALLIES’ LAST WORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16465, 18 June 1919, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1919. THE ALLIES’ LAST WORD.

There is at least the appearance of finality in the reply of the Allied Council to Germany’s counter peace proposals. The reply states distinctly in respect to several matters that there is nothing more to be said, and Mr. Bonar Law has declared that the .reply is final and that Germany must sign within five days, otherwise the amustice will end. There is reason to believe that Marshal Foch is prepared to resume operations and to push on to Berlin the moment the word is given; it this is really so the Allies are in a position to be absolutely firm in their present resolution that Germany must sign within five days or accept the consequences of refusal. The letter covering the reply, a summary of which appears in another column, is perhaps the most convincing and conclusive document yet published in connection with the peace negotiations. Germany’s responsibility for the war was established beyond question long ago and the Allied Council now points out that the German people supported their Government and only revolted when thev saw that their armies were irreparably defeated, therefore they cannot-.ex-pect to escape the consequences simply because they at that late stage discarded their Government. The Allied Council has had to consider above all things the future peace of the world, to lay down conditions which would assure this as far as humanly possible. The members of the Council would have been false to their trust if they had made the conditions so lenient that Germany might renew the struggle for world power in a few years. They had also to compel Germany to make the utmost reparation possible for the huge losses f she has brought upon tho countries concerned in the war, especially Belgium and France, and to impose economic conditions which would not give Germany a start in the renewed race for trade which is following the war. At the same time they have had to consider Germany’s own future. They have had to make the conditions such that the German nation, if it chooses, may rehabilitate itself economically, morally, socially, and financially. In fixing the terms of reparation they have consented to allow Germany to make proposals as to the most convenient method of payment. In effect they have said to Germany: “You must pay so much, but we are willing to consider your proposals for liquidation of the debt.” They are willing to allow her to enter the League of Nations at an early date if her acts promise t*he necessary conditions. With respect to the German colonies and other forfeited territory they have made it clear that they cannot give Germany the opportunity to make these bases for future aggression and that the wishes of the peoples concerned as to their future government must be considered. Regarding Heligoland and the naval conditions the Council is adamant, and rightly so, because those are points which are abso-. lutely material to the future peace of the world. On the other hand wherever it is possible to hold out a promise of subsequent leniency, in order to give Germany the best chance of rehabilitating herself, the Council has tempered its justice with mercy. ' Germany, if she is wise, will sign wthout further demur and trust the Allies to be as good as their word and to assist her as much as is consistent with fairness to the countries Germany has so deeply injured.