A Stern Note

A stern note from the Council of Ambassadors in Paris about alleged infractions of the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles, was delivered, last week, to the German Government.

The presentation of the note was made by Lord d'Abernon to Chancellor Hans Luther in the presence of the Ambassadors of France, Italy and Japan and the Belgian Minister. In his short presentation speech, Lord d'Abernon tactfully avoided using the word "disarmament," saying:

"In accordance with the procedure adopted Jan. 5 and 26, I have the honor to hand your Excellency, on behalf of my colleagues and myself, a joint note from our respective Governments on the subject of the conditions for evacuation of the Cologne zone."

Chancellor Luther replied:

"Since delivery of the Allied notes on Jan. 5 and 26, mentioned by your Excellency, the German Government both in answering said notes and at other times has repeatedly stated its view point regarding evacuation of the Northern Rhine zone. I now refer to these declarations. The note will be immediately examined by the German Government. Afterward, the Government will decide on further measures."

Based upon evidence collected toward the end of last year by the Interallied Military Commission of Control (of German armaments), which the Germans call "the Spy Commission," the Allied Governments charged defaults in the military clauses of the Versailles Treaty, ordered the Reich to dissolve the German General Staff (forbidden by the Treaty), to reduce the Army to 100,000 men (the number permitted by the Treaty), to stop recruiting men on short service enlistments (according to the Treaty, enlistments should be for twelve years), to reduce the Green Police to 150,000 (the number permitted in 1920), to cease training millions of young men in patriotic societies, to cease training air pilots for military purposes, to stop gas warfare experiments, to dismantle a number of factories making munitions of war.

The Allies proceeded to make it clear that the Cologne bridgehead was not evacuated last January (TIME, Jan. 5, INTERNATIONAL) because Germany had not lived up to the Treaty which, they insisted, was in itself a "serious menace to peace." "In fine," says paragraph No. 8 of the note, "it now rests with the German Government themselves to create conditions so that the evacuation can speedily be effected. It is they themselves who will profit by the readiness with which they give effect to the rectifications demanded, as well as the care with which they proceed strictly to conform their attitude to the terms of the Treaty."

When these conditions have been created, the Allies promise to evacuate Cologne, to withdraw the Military Commission and transfer its duties to the League of Nations. The note declares that Germany is fulfilling her reparations obligations.

The note was received in anger by Germany. President Hindenburg pre- sided over a Cabinet council, but the probable action of the Government was not divulged. Spokesmen in the Wilhelmstrasse said that the note was dictated through fear of German trade with the U. S. and that, if the property ordered destroyed by the Allies, which they valued at $25,000,000, is destroyed, it will be impossible for Germany, suffering such a loss, to live up to the Experts' Plan.

Newspaper comment:

Deutsche Tagesseitung: "The final proof is now furnished that the Allies will treat us as a people who have lost their sovereignty."

Borsen Zeitung: "An affront to German honor. . . . The mountain has labored and brought forth a ridiculous mouse."

Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung : "The terms are so laughable that the most naive military ignoramus can see their absurdity. For the American citizen, who with loans pays for the armaments of France, Poland and other satellites of America, this note speaks an eloquent language."

Germania (organ of the Catholic Party): "This note proves again that the Versailles Peace Treaty does not give peace, but is an instrument for keeping alive the spirit of war. If the Allies really want peace, they should further the spirit of conciliation and understanding in Germany, and not, through petty chicanery, make the blood of even the most peaceful German boil."

Vossische Zeitung (Socialist Party journal): "The real point is the weakening of Germany's industrial ability as compared with English industry."