Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1919 — MAKE FINAL REPLY TO FOE [ARTICLE]

MAKE FINAL REPLY TO FOE

Time Limit For Answer Extended to June 23. REVISED COPY OF THETREATT On Way to Germany to Iks Pro«mt4xl by Count Itantxau—Origin nl Contention* Art* Virtually Intact. Paris, June 16.—The German* have -been granted an additional 4 8 hour* in which to make their reply regarding the signing of tho peace treaty. Versailles, June 16. —The reply of the allied and associated governments to Germany’s counter proposals to the peace treaty and • revised copy of the peace treaty tonight are in the hands of Count von Brockdorff-Rantsau, who is on bis way to Weimar, there to present to the German national assembly the final word of the victors in the war. Few changes have been made in the revised peace treaty. The original contentions of the allied and associated powers have virtually been maintained Intact.

Five days was the slotted period originally fixed for the Germans to answer yes or no to the demands of the allies. £ut two days additional have' been granted becauso of the insistence of the Oerman delegation that not sufficient tims had been allowed for proper consideration of the revised terms. This will extend the time limitations to Monday, June 23. If Germany’s reply is yes th* treaty will be immediately signedr If Germany declines to accede to the demands the armlstlco will ba automatically terminated and ths allied armed forces will take whatever steps they deem requisite to the occasion. With the revised treaty, containing interlineations in red ink, where changes had been made in it, was a covering, a note, written by Premier Clemenceau, president of thepeace conference. It had been impossible to reprint the treaty in time for its presentation today. The covering note severely castigates Germany for protesting against the treaty on the ground that the treaty conflicts with the terms of the armistice. M. Clemenceau says Germany falls to understand the position she occupies Tn the estimation of the world for being responsible for a war which was “the greatest crime against humanity and the freedom of the people that any nation, calling Itself civilized, has ever consciously committed.” Without ostentation, PaUl Dutasta, general secretary of ths peace conference, at 6:49 o’clock this evening placed the revised draft of the treaty and the note in the hands of German legation secretary, Simon and Baron von Loersner, with whom M. Dutasta held a conversation lasting for sev- • eral. minutes, explaining the nature of the instrument and the length of time alotted for the Germans to reply. Herr Simon protested against the short time given Germany to make known her intentions. M. Dustata arrived in Versailles by automobile from Paris at 6 :JSO o’clock, carrying the momentous documents in two parcels wrapped in prosaic brown paper. He was received by Col. (Henry, master of ceremonies at Versailles, and officers of the allied missions and conducted to the reading room of the Hotel Reservoir.

Here the party was grouped along one side of the room. In front of them and M. Dutasta was a large marble-topped treble, on, which the documents were placed in two piles. There was a considerable wait before Legation Secretary Simon and Baron von Loersner, arrived, and escorted by two French officers, the Germans took their place at the other side of the table. At 6:49 o’clock, Herr Simon in-

formally reached the table and took the documents and handed them to Baron von Loersner, this actually constituting the formal receipt of the treaty and ultimatum. A receipt from, the Germans for the document was required by M. Dutasta. After the brle(, conversation between M. Dutasta and Herr Simon the Germans returned to their apartment In the hotel, von Loersner carry Ins the documents under his arm In a green portfolio. Later Count von Brockdorff-Rantzau boarded a train for Weimar, taking the papers with him.