THE PEACE TERMS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16520, 12 May 1919, Page 7

THE PEACE TERMS

GERMANS DESPONDENT.

SEVERITY STUNS BERLIN

©r Cable.—Press Af«oc:ation.-CoPme h, "> (Auitralian and NX CaM« LONDON, May S.^ The German correspondents nt sailles have transmitted tho opini j the delegates. Herr Gilbert says: Germany can' ■ ! sign a treaty which permits the re incj of her economic life. The oc tion of important raw materia p ro ing districts is tantamount to a and painful death. It is bet ter Pjj turn empty-handed than with a Treaty containing terms trat we J* be compelled to leave unfulfilled. or many will simply collapse under the imposed indemnity. Herr Melchior said: Wo canno' sider slavery—binding the German workers to tho French Governmen . Another delegate said: tomce ,„ + : rtri armistice strikes and tho rovol have lost us more money than the wn e war. We could have borne the - demnity if demanded in November, heavv load is now impossible. It* is announced that tho delegates will make counter-proposals, which will be tho utmost Germany can agrefc to. The German newspapers protest that the terms are impossible, especially tho indemnity. They protest against the veiled annexation of the Saar \ alley and the loss of the colonies. Germany must reiect tho disposition of Danzig. The TJerlin correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle'' states that tho Peace Terms have stunned Berlin. Business is at a standstill, and tho Bourse has been closed for three days. Messages from Paris state that the delegates are despondent. Ludendorff refused an interview with the "Daily Chronicle," but sent this message:—lf these are the Peace Terms, America can go to Hell! Tho German Cabinet will meet today, and a pronouncement is expected to-morrow.

According to a Copenhagen message, Herr Gilbert, in an interview, said: Our only course is to arrange a, peace with Russia, and invite Russian troops into Germany.

" TIIE DEATH SENTENCE." NATION TO GO INTO MOURNING. CAMPAIGN OPENED FOR BETTER TERMS. (Received May 11th, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, May 9. After the Cabinet had discussed the Treaty for five hours Herr Scheidemann addressed the Parliamentary Committees appointed to consider the Treaty. He said: "The terms are the death sentence of Germany. We must discuss this document of hatred and madness with political sobriety." The Government, he continued, had instructed the Paris delegation to submit a Note to the Allies pointing out the difference between the Treaty and Mr Wilson's fourteen points, also to submit detailed counter-proposals and attempt to start an oral discussion.

Herr Fehlenbacher, speaking on behalf of the leaders of all parties, said Herr Scheideman had rightly declared that the terms were unacceptable. Discussions with the Allies and the delegation at Paris would possibly result in a peace acceptable to the German people.

Th? Government has decided on public mourning throughout tho next week owing to the peace terms. The theatres will be closed.

The Government is inundated with protests, especially from Eastern Germany, demanding alterations in the terms.

Germany's Note to the Allies further insists on the release of the German prisoners. The idea of joining Russia is strengthening. The Rnsso-German frontier is partially open, and a great exchange of commodities is proceeding.

Two thousand residents of Berlin have addressed a letter to Mr Wilson asking him to afford the ex-Kaiser protection. It is expected the German Government will refuse to agree to hi 9 extradition.

t Herr Ebert has issued a proclamation violently denouncing the peace terms as utterly impracticable. They are intended to destroy Germany, reduce her to-slavery, and sow the'seed of future enmities spelling the doom of any League professing to secure world peace. Herr Ebert urges public support of the Government, which by counter-proposals is determined to secure a victory of right. Germany's reply to the peace terms will be a demand for a peace of right as the only rnV? ® peace of nations. The German newspapers state that Count Rantzau's first Note in reply declares that the peace terms do not accord with Mr Wilson's fourteen points, and adds that the delegates desire to negotiate with Mr Wilson direct.

A campaign has been opened in Germany denouncing the terms, and thousands of mass meetings have been arranged to protest against them. UNABLE TO MEET DEMANDS. (Received May 12th, 12.5 a.m.) „ x „ LONDON, May 10. X -?T in >x, ntzau has presented a Note to M. Clemenceau stating that it is impossible for Germany to fulfil the terms of peace. COUNT RANTZAU'S SPEECH. GENERAL CONDEMNATION. (Received May 11th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, Slay 8. "What a stupid speech," remarked President Wilson when Count Rantzau had finished. Mr Lloyd George said the speech represented German stupidity. The French Foreign Office believes that identical terms, except for minor technical alterations, will be signed in two or three weeks. Travellers from Germany declare that Herr Scheidemann cannot sign the terms. He prefers that the Allies should occupy Germany. Most of tha delegates are reconciled to several week's negotiation.

Mr Massev declared that the German s attitude was one of brazen effrontery. He oxpected them to display independence, perhaps defiance, but judging Germany by their action, there was no sign of regeneration in the spirit of the people of Germany. On the contrary, ho apprehended serious trouble from thom before the terms were finally agreod upon. He believed, however, that the Allies would stand by the terms in ©very important particular. The impression among the British delegates is that the speech was insolent, and calls for strong action. All are surprised at its tone. Jlr Wilson also said that the speech provod that

the Germans wero the most tactless people on the face of the earth. Thoy misunderstood human nature. Count Kantzau's spoech was on a parity with their action throughout tho war. Thoy ahvnys did the wrong tiling. _ Hie insolent rudeness of the Germans '? . stron g , y condemned by the Allied delegates. General Count Ranizau's speech is regarded as a studied insult. The British including Mr Lloyd George and Mr Bonar Law, admit that they wero surprised, and anger flashed through them, but they now agree that M. Clemenceau was wise in refraining from ordering Count Rantzau to stand while speakiug, as a physical mi son prevented the German from standing. If ho folt unwell, said a leading delegate, his words did not show it. Anyhow, he should have askod permission to remain seated. Count Rantzau is contemplating an oariy return to Germany to confer with the Government.

THE JUNKER SPIRIT. LONDON, May 8. The "3>aily Mail" describes Coun€ Rantzau as the embodiment of the defiant, sanctimonious, and truculent spirit of the junker. His speech showed that Germany was wholly unrepentant, and blatantly unconscious of tho horror in which she is held among civilised peoples. THE INDEMNITY QUESTION. ENEMY'S ATTITUDE. PARIS, May 9. Tho Germans intend to object to any irdemnities except for damage caused in Franco and Belgium. AUSTRALIA'S SHARE. MELBOURNE, May 10. Mr Watt states that Australia will receive £40,000,000 as her share of the indemnity, OPINION OF LABOUR. LONDON, May 8. The British Labour Executive has issued a manifesto which states that some essentials of the Treaty arq opposed to the declarations of President Wilson, the Inter-Allied Conference, and the Bern© Conference. Tho Treaty is defective from the standpoint of world Peace, and bears evidence of a compromise, and influence by capitalism and imperialism. The Labour Party declines responsibility for violations' of principle, inasmuch as organised Labour was not represented at the Conference, and tho general spirit of the document is contrary to the work-ing-class conception of a Poace of right and justice. Labour therefore looks to the people and the forces of organised democracy to safeguard and develop the idea of a peaceable community of all nations. Germany ought to make reparation, but should be represented on the Reparation Commission. The amount of compensation should have rogard to her ability to meet the needs of her own population. The manifesto regrets that the Treaty, while imposing on Germany drastic disarmament does not provide for a progressive limitation of armaments for the other signatories, and protests at any attempt at the permanent separation of the Saar Valley from Germany. It expresses the hope that France will ngroo to consult tho people of AlsaceLorraine undor the League of Nations, in accordance with the principle of selfdetermination. The people of German Austria should have free "and unrestricted right to decide for themselves- whether they will beoome one of the German Federal States or remain independent.

CHINESE DISSATISFIED. -PARIS, May 9. _ The Chinese have received instructions not to sign the Peace Treaty. AUSTRIAN TERMS. PARTS, May 8. The Austrian Peace terms provide for the wiping out of the Navy. DELEGATES ARRIVE. (Received May 11th, 11.15 p.m.) PARIS, May 8. The Austrian Peace delegates have arrived at St. Germain. They are headed by Doctor Klein, a GermanAustrian lawyer.

REPARATION REQUIRED. (Received Mav 12th. 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. The Allied Council at Paris considered the question of the reparations to be required from Austria. The financial experts have also been consulted regarding tho problem of financing Germany, Austria, Poland, and other States. A NOTABLE FACT. (Received May 11th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 8. It is noteworthy that the Treaty was handed over on the anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania. M. CLEMENCEAU'S VIEW. (Received May 11th. 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 5. M.. Clemenceau, in an interview, said: "I think it is a good peace. France has derived immense benefits from her association with England and America. The peace is more satisfactory because it means an alliance with the two most powerful nations in the world." GENERAL SATISFACTION. (Received May 11th, 11.10 p.m.) Tin. .1. ~ PARIS, May 8. When the Germans left the Conference room, they forgot to take the Treaty, and sent a secretary back for On the whole, the French view tho Treaty with satisfaction, though the Socialists are likolv to think that the terms are not mild enough, and the Extreme R-iglit that they ar© not severe enough. All are agreed that the Treaty will require careful watching to see that its demands are complied with. The 1? rench take much the same view of Count Rantzau's ebullition as the British. STERNEST IN MODERN HISTORY. PARIS, May 8. A British authoritative statement oxpresses great satisfaction with the Treat}', which is the sternest in modern histor}*, yet contains nothing vindictive. It is more than peace; it is the first step towards a world constitution. "REAL LIBERATION." ' (Received May 11th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 8. The Czechoslovaks and the Poles heartily acclaim the Treaty as real liberation. AGRICULTURAL RESTORATION. (Received May 11th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 8. One clause in the Treaty provides that five hundred stallions. thirty thousand fillies, one thousand bulls, ninety thousand cows, one hundred thousand rams, sheep, and goats, are to be handed over by Germany to France, also a great number to Bel- j gium.

OVERSEA DELEGATIONS. (Received Mav 11th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS. May 8. Mr Sutherland, Mr Lloyd George's Parliamentary Secretary, addressing the journalists, said the service rendered by the Dominion Prime Minis-

ters and their colleagues at the Conference was insufficiently recognised. Great Britain appeared to be tlio only one of the Allied countries who had not claimcd to have won . the war. When thev considered the assistance given by the Dominion delegates, they could not fail to be impressed by the enormous power of the British delegation.