1919-06-18 — Page 1

ESE GE FANS AND KEEP COOL

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The

Hongkong Telegraph.

$274三拜禮號八十月六英港香

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS,

(ESTABLISHED (881).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, '1919.

FRONTIER QUESTIONS.

As regards the European political clauses, it is pointed out that the German Note has misconstrued the Sabr Basin provisions. The

ALLIES REPLY TO GERMAN COUNTER-PROPOSALS. Delegation's refusal to carry out reparation which would have the

TREATY TO STAND WITH SLIGHT MODIFICATIONS.

NAVAL TERMS TO BE UNCONDITIONALLY

FULFILLED.

London. June 16.

character of punishment" pppears to exclude the conception of justice essential to any settlement. The Allies do not permit a plebiscite for Alsace Lorraine, The Allies, after defending the cardinal guiding principles as regards the eastern frontiers of Ger- many, express their readiness, in order to eliminate any possible injustice, to reconsider the question. The historical frontier between [Pomerania and West Frussia will be respected: No part of Germany outside of the Kingdom of Poland will be included in restored Poland. The Reply points out that the isolation" of East Prussia, which Germany refuses to accept, has existed for centuries. It is not original German land, but a colony. Danzig is not incorporated in Poland because it is German. The Allies have decided that Upper Silesia shall not be immediately ceded to Poland until after a plebiscite under Alhed control. The main point in the whole

tion of the national pride of the Germans, is transferred to Poland and expressly safeguarded. The Memel district will be transferred to the Allies, as the status of Lithuanian territories is not established.

The summary of the Allied Beply to the bierman counter-settlement is that the inhabitants' genuine interest, not the satisfac- proposals has now been issued officially.

In a covering letter, the Allies, referring to the German protest against a peace of violence, emphasises that the war was the greatest crime against humanity ever consciously committed by a nation calling itself civilised. The letter also emphasises Germany's responsibility for planning and starting the war. in which seven million died and over twenty million were wounded and suffered. and for the savage and inhuman manner in which it was conducted. The Allies believe that they would be false to those who have givèn their all to save the freedom of the world if they consent, to treat the war except as a crime against Humanity and Right Justice is only possible on a basis of peace, but it must be justice for all-for dead, wounded, orphaned. bereaved, for peoplès now struggling under war debts exceeding thirty thousand millions sterling, and for millions whose property German savagery has spoliated and destroyed. This is why the Allies have insisted, as a cardinal feature of the Treaty, that Germany must undertake to make reparation to the very uttermost of her power, that the individuals responsible for German aggression and outrages during the war must be handed over to justice, and Germany must sühmit for a few years to certain special disabilities and "arrangements.

WHO SHOULD SUFFER!

If these things are hardships for Germany, she has brought them on herself. Somebody must suffer the consequences of war Is it to be Germany or the peoples she wronged? The Germa. Revolution represents a great hope for peace and a new European order"in the future, but it cannot affect the settlement of the war. The Revolution was stayed until the German aquies were defeated The and all hope of profiting by a war of conquest had vanished. German people throughout the war supported the war and shared the responsibility of their Government. They cannot now pretend, having changed their rulers after the war is lost, that it is just that they should escape the consequences of their

deeds,

|

The articles regarding Heligoland must be unconditionally accepted; they will be exacted under the supervision of an allied Commission.

THE EX-GERMAN COLONIES.

滥

As regards the ex-German Colonies, the Allies state that they have placed the native populations' interests before every other consideration: Germany's "subordination of native interests to her own ambitions has been revealed too completely to admit of the Allies consenting to make a second experiment and risking the fate of thirteen on fourteen million natives. Moreover, the Allies are bound to safeguard security against the establishment of bases from which the world's trade could be threatened. The loss of the German Colonies need hot hinder her development. The trade of the German Colonies never represented more than a very small fraction of her total trade: one-half per cent. of her imports and exports in 1913. Of the total Colonial products imported by Germany, only three per cent. came from her own, Colonies, and, for natural reasons the German Colonies were not capable of accommodating more than a down have been determined in accordance with International Law very small proportion of German immigrants. The conditions laid and the natives interests. The same applies to the regulation of German property in China.

THE ARMY AND NAVY CLAUSES.

*

The Allies cannot agree to any alteration of the main military conditions. Nevertheless, they are willing to reduce the German Army more gradually than at present stipulated, namely to a maximum of 200,000 within three months. At the end of the three months and every subsequent three months, Allied Military experts will fix the strength of the German Army for the ensuing period in order to reduce it to the stipulated 10,000 as soon as possible and anyhow by March 31. 1920. The reduction of officers and guns will be similarly proportioned. The period for the demolition of fortifications is modified.

The peace the Allies have proposed is fundamentally a peace of justice. The Allies are satisfied that their territorial proposals accord with the agreed basis of peace and are necessary to the future peace of Europe. Therefore, they are not prepared to modify them, except in the respects hereafter laid down. With regard to the economic and financial proposals, the Allies have no intention of strangling Germany nd of preventing ber taking ber

The German naval proposals cannot be be entertained. The proper place in international trade and commerce. Provided she abides by the Treaty of Peace and abandons her agressive and nias articles have been carefully tramed and must be accepted exclusive traditions in business, the Allies intend Germans to have unconditionally. "No negotiations are necessary here." fair treatment in the purchase of raw materials and the sale of goods, subject to temporary provisions mentioned in the interests of the nations ravaged by Germany,

THE ALLIES' LAST WORD.

The Allies desire that the passions of war should die as soon as possible and that ali nations, including Germany, should share in the prosperity which comes from the honest supply of material beeds. In order to make this intention clear, a number of modations have been made in the financial and economic clauses of the Treaty, but the principles on which the Treaty is drawn must Stand. The Allies are not prepared to modify the reparation pro- posals which are designed to make the payment of reparation as easy and convenient as possible and will be interpreted in that sense. But with a view to arriving as soon as possible at a fixed definite sum payable by Germany, they are willing to accord Germant all reasonable facilities to enable her to survey, the devastated regions and take proposals for the settlement of

claims.

"

THE REPARATION QUESTION.

The Allies state that the German delegates misunderstood and misinterpreted the reparation proposals, The Allies welcome the German proposal to create a Commission to co-operate with the Allied Commission in Germany which is invited to present evidence and submit special reparation proposals within four months of the signature of peace. Proposals will be particularly acceptable specifying the German offer of a lump sum for settlement, in whole or part of liability, or an offer to repair part or whole of any damaged district, or an offer of the use of labour therefor. Inspection facilities will be granted in this connection. The otters must be precise and unambiguous. but the categories and reparation clauses are in- disputable The Allies, without in any wise committing themselves now, will reply to any proposals.

1

SINGLE COPY: 10 CTS, $36 PER ANNUM

SING KEE,

Colour Sergeant; 306th Infantry, U.S. Army, who won the Croix de Guerre by great heroism and almost superhuman endurance when running with communications through German fire and gas.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.),

JAPANESE COAL VESSEL SINKS.

THREE OF THE CREW LOST.,

Band Bay White Lend

Andersen, Meyer & Co., Lid.

To-Day's Exchange.

The closing rate of the dollar on demand tó-day was 3s 6.15–164.

The Weather.

Forecast-Fair, Barometers- 2960. Temperature 2 pm: Humidity 2pm.~~~ 69.

Shanghai, June 18. The Nagasa Märu, ä coaler bound for Shanghai, has foundered and sunk off Tsungming Island. Two Japanese and one Chinese of the crew were lost, and twenty-one saved.

THE SHANGHAI STRIKE.

Shanghai. Jane 18.

The strike situation has quietened down.

STRAITS COMMUNITY-SHIP,

Singapore, June 17.

In reply to questions in Council regarding the cancellation of the Mahend the Government stated that the Home Government had been cabled and probably the Roon or Kleist would be allotted to

the Straits..

HMS. SYDNEY.

Singapore. June 17.

H.M.S. Sydney leaves for Australia on Friday,

THE JAVA DISASTER.

17,

Singapore, June The Council has voted $10,000 to the Kloet Volcaco Relief Fund.

DAY BY DAY.

telling in connection with reparation and point out that no interest The Allies criticise Germany's vague mention of five billion

and no substantial payment is offered until 1927, after which un- The Allies emphasise that the covering letter and the attached defined instalments continue for half a century. The present value Memorandum constitute their last word. They have examined the of such a prospect is small." The Allies, however, recognising the German counter-proposals earnestly and carefully, and consequently mutual desirability of a resumption of German industry, are prepared have made important modifications in the Draft Treaty. but in its to afford Germany commercial facilities therefor on conditions which

The Blue Funnel boat Tydeus fundamental outlines they stand by the Treaty, which must be cannot be laid down in advance and subject to the special economic will bring to-morrow, a batch of accepted or rejected in its present form. Falling a declaration by situation created for the Allies by German aggression. Meanwhile, Hongkong boys who have just the German Delegation, within five days, that they are prepared to the Draft Treaty must be accepted as definitive, and signed. The Allies been demobilised. They are sign the Treaty as amended, the Armistice will immediately cannot longer delay the assuring of their security. Gerinany cannot coming direct from Home. terminate and the Allies will take such steps as they think needful afford to deny the population the offer of peace. The Reparation. to enforce the terms.

Commission must begin work; the only question open is how best to execute the Treaty provisions.

War:

TRIAL OF THE KAISER.

זי

LEST WE FORGET.

At Termondethe Germans took Labout 300 Belgian civilians (men) prisoners, and forced them to march hand-up in front of the Germans. The Germans placed their rifles on the shoulders of the civilians and fired at the Belgian soldiers, who returned the fire. Forty of the civilians were killed by their own country. men. At Termonde I saw German. soldiers seize two civilians (men) and forced their hands into buckets of boiling water. Their hands were terribly scalded. I also saw at Termonde two Belgian civilians bound by German soldiers, and then deliberately killed by bayonet woundsän the abdomen.--The men had given no sort of provocation. Two German officers were present whilst both the last two things happened (the scalding and the bayoneting), and it was by their orders that the things were done. Later, tha same day, I saw the same"two officers order five "Belgizo civilians to dig a pit. The five. were then made to stand on the edge of the pit and they were shot by German soldiers with rifles by order of the officers. Official depósition: of Belgian refugee before Committee German Outrages,

HORACE RAYNER FREE.

Horace Rayner, the man sen- tenced to death at the Old Bailey in 1907 for the sensational mur- der of Mr. William Whiteley at the famous stores, has left Park- hurst, a free man. He had served 12 years of his "life" sentence, and earned remission by his ex- emplary conduct during the greater part of his incarceration, Rayner at first was difficult to manage, and made an attempt at suicide by firing his cell Rayner, claiming to be Mr. Whiteley's son (his father was one George Ray- ner, and his mother EmilyTurner), visited the great emporium on January 24, 1907. He represented himself as acting for a solicitor, and when Mr. Whiteley appeared shot him, turning the revolver on himself.

JAPANESE ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

The Nichi Nichi reports that the Japanese Railway Board is planning a high speed electric train service between Tokyo and thousand students representing Kobe. The Board is hurrying în twenty-five schools in the parade.vestigations regarding technical It is said that H. E the Governor matters, while the Finance De- will on no account permit any partment and the Bank of Japan students to make speeches or are carrying on negotiations con- distribute circulars in the streets.cerning financial matters. The This precaution is taken so as to Railway Board estimates the. avoid any disorder.

cost of construction and mis cellaneous expenditure at about Y.200 millions, which will pri Two demobilised Hongkong bably be raised by a domestic The Hon. Treasurer of the Alice boys returned this morning te loan to be issued in four lot, Y-59 Memorial and Affiliated Hospitale w. Lester and N. Croucher. Mr. scheme be realized the journe

the Colony, named Messrs. Hmillions, each time. Should the begs to acknowledge with thanks N, Croucher was with the Chinese the following donations to the Labour Corps. He has now rejoin-between Tokyo and Kobe 14 funds of the Hospitals-Mr. J.

20, Mr. G. Banfield Cubey, $10; and Potts, Mr. H. W. Lester, four hours.

J. Dalziel $10; Mr. 3. W.

Stewart, $3.

of Messrs. Dodwell and Co., Ltd. who has been away at the front for three years, returned to-day [by the Nikko Maru, coming via Australis. He has won a military distinction.

DON'T FORGET,

The Allies maintain the right to obtain payment for reparation In the summarised report of their Reply, the Allies, referring etc. in priority of settlement of all other German debts, but will to responsibility for the war, emphasise that their views are not approve of exceptions. Germany must bear the cost of the military Reid, $20, Mr. W. Murray Scott-ed his firin of Messrs. Benjamin expected to be covered in only, merely based on the events between July and the outbreak of occupation of the Rhineland, which is an essential guarantee. Autocratic Germany, under her ruler's inspiration, had Germany cannot be credited with the value of captured war Jeen long bent On domination and aggression: by war. material, but an important concession will be the recognition, as a The essential truth of the Allied charges is admitted prior charge upon terman assets, of payment for food supplies and by the German Revolution. The Allies consider that the raw material Germany's pre-war debt will be divided in due pro- punishment of those principally responsible for so much portion between Germany and the ceded territories, but France can- world-wide misery and suffering is

essential

to Justice not be required to assume part of the public debt for Alsace Lorraine. and as a deterrent to other rulers, they cannot agree to the Poland is also exempted, and the German Colonies which had not trial of the guilty by their own accomplices. The Kaiser is arraign paid their way cannot possibly assume part of the German debt, nor ed as a matter of high international policy. The accused will be can e Mandatory State be required to do so. Germany will be com- ensured full rights and liberties regarding his defence in order that peiled to alienate the greater part of her foreign securities and no the judgment be, of a most solemn judicial character. The Allies longer continue to be intimately involved in the Allies or Russia's refute the German Delegation's endeavour to prove that the Peace financial and economic life. Treaty constitutes a breach of the basis of peace in accordance with Wilsonian principles.

OTHER DETAILS.

Owing to Germany's illegal acts, many of the Allies are in a state of economic inferiority; therefore, certain non-reciprocal con- ditions in the matter of commercial exchanges have been imposed. for a minimum of five years. Reciprocity however, will be applied whenever possible.

The Allies see no reason why Germany should not become a member of the League of Nations in the early future, if her acts give promise of the necessary conditions. They are prepared to accord guarantees for the protection of German minorities in the:i The Allies accept a few changes régarding waterways and rail ceded territories. German acceptance of the disarmament terms ways, for example, free transit through Poland and between East

hastens general feduction of armainents. EAM

Prussia and the rest of GermÍST

Sung Kam Chee, a Northern Chinese from Peking is giving a display of his magnificent strength at the Ming Yuen Two Tobbers made their ap- Gardens, North Point, on Friday pearance at Shek Shan, Kowloon and Saturday night. The biggity, on Monday at 10.45 p.m., est feat Sang Kam Chee is when they entered the house of a fances at responsible for is that of allow Chinese woman at No. 11. One 9,19 m. ing a five-seater motor car with of them seized the woman by the five occupants, to run over his neck while the other made a Victo body..

desperate attempt" to "gag' her with a handkerchief, but she manage free herself and gave which caused the

It is reported that the students the

Macas carried out

Bostock's

Coron