Papers written by Curzon on the Near and Middle East [‎51r] (101/348)

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She has taken no steps, as was provided for under the Protocol to the Treaty,
towards ascertaining her liabilities under the head of reparation, or towards making
proposals for fixing the total amount she should thus pay, urgent as is a settlement
of this nature in the interest of all concerned. She does not appear even to be con
sidering how she is to meet her obligations as and when they mature.
The Allies do not ignore the difficulties with which the German Government is
faced, and do not intend to insist upon a too literal interpretation of the Treaty.
But they are unanimous m declaring that they cannot permit a continuation of these
infractions of the Treaty of Versailles; that the Treaty must be executed and remain
as the basis of relations between Germany and the Allies; and that they are
determined to take ail measures, even to the extent, if necessary, of the occupation
of further German territory, which will have the effect of ensuring the execution of
the 'treaty. They declare, on the other hand, that it is not their intention to annex
any portion of German territory.
At the same time the Allies consider that the questions raised by the infractions
against the Treaty of Peace and by the measures necessary to ensure its execution
will be more easilly solved by an exchange of views between the heads of the Govern
ments than by an exchange of Notes. They have, therefore, decided to invite the
heads of the German Government to confer directly with the heads of the Allied
Governments, and they ask that, when they meet, the German Government will
present to them precise explanations and proposals on all the matters mentioned
above. If a satisfactory settlement is arrived at on these points, the Allied Govern
ments will be willing to discuss with the German representatives any question which
affects the internal order and economic well-being of Germany.
But Germany must understand that the unity of the Allies for the execution of
the Treaty is as solid as it was for the war, and that the only method of taking her
.place again in the world is loyally to execute the engagements to which she has
subscribed.
Hotel Royal, San Remo,
April *26, 1920.
Rote .—At the same meeting at which the above note was approved, it was
decided to invite the German Government to meet the Allied Governments at Spa on
the 25th May, 1920.
(Translation.)
(A. J. 167. Confidential.)
German Peace Delegation.
No. 168.
M. le President, Paris, April 20, 1920.
BY the orders of my Government, I have the honour to transmit herewith a
memorandum by the Minister of Defence on the subject of the permanent retention
of an army of 200,000 men.
Relying on the force of the arguments adduced, the German Government beg
the Allied and Associated Governments to be good enough to give their consent to the
maintenance of the effectives stated.
Please accept, &c.
(Signed) GOPPERT.
His Excellency, M. le President
of the Peace Conference.
Memorandum of the German Minister of Defence on the Maintenance of an Army
of 200,000 men.
According to the Treaty of Peace and the Allies' Note of the 18th February,
1920, Germany is bound to reduce her army by the 10th July, 1920, to an effective of
100,000 men and to have realised by this date the organisation of the troops which
is set forth in the Treaty. No modification of this organisation will be permitted
until such time as Germany be admitted into the League, of Nations, which subse-
quently will be able to authorise such modifications as should appear desirable.