THE PEACE TREATY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7566, 12 May 1919, Page 3

THE PEACE TREATY.

"TREATY INFLUENCED BY CAPITALISM."

BRITISH LABOUR MANIFESTO

LONDON, May 9

The Brittih Labour Executive lias sru«d a manifesto which states that sinne essentials of the Treaty are opposc.»u to the declarations of President Wilson, the Inter-Allied Conference, and the Berne Conference. The Treaty •b defective from the standpoint of a, \\orld peace, and bears evidence of a compromise influenced by Capitalism and Imperialism. The Labour Party declines responsibility for violations of principle, inasmuch as organised Labour was not represented at the Conference, andlthe general .spirit of the document is contrary to the working class conception or' a peace oi right and justice. Labour therefore looks to the people and the forces of organised democracy to safeguard and develop the idea of a peacaule community of all nations. Germany ought to make reparation, but snould be represented on the Reparation Commission. The amount of compensation should have regard to Germany's nb'lity to meet the needs ct her o«?n [opuJation. The manifesto regrets that the Treaty, while imposing «>n Germany drastic disarmament, does not provide for the progressive limitation of armaments for the other signatories, and protests at any attempt at the permanent separation of the Saar Valley from Germany. It hopes that France will, agree to consult the ■, people of Alsace-Lorraine under the ■ League of Nations. In accordance i with the principle of self-determination ] the people of German-Austria should J have free and unrestricted right to decide for themselves whether they will become" one of the German Federal ■States or remain independent.