Count Brockdorff-Rantzau, in a Note enclosing the German counter-proposals to
the Peace Conference last week, said that the Allies' demands " go beyond the strength of the German people." He objected to the cession of the Walloon district of Malinedy to Belgium and to the temporary cession of the Saar Valley to France. He complained* the sum to be paid by way of reparation, saying that " the German people would be con- demned to permanent slave labour." He declared that Ger- many would have to forgo "all political, economic, and ideal- istic activities" abroad, though her "idealistic activities are well known to have been devoted to spreading unrest and disorder in every part of the world. We are unmoved by such German propaganda as this. Germany made the war, and she must abide by the result of her wanton appeal to arms. When she shows repentance for her evil deeds, it will be time enough to consider whether the Peace terms can be lightened.
