The Press Wednesday, June 25, 1919. Germany Signs.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16558, 25 June 1919, Page 6

The Press Wednesday, June 25, 1919. Germany Signs.

The definite announcement was made officially during yesterday, and is published to-day, that the German Government has agreed unconditionally to the 6igning of the Peace Treaty. Mr "Watt, the Acting Prime M'nister of Australia, has received an official message to the effect that the signing has taken place. For a considerable time past there have been periodical reports that the tions pointed to an ultimate refusal by Germany to submit to the terms im- : posed, and opinions fluctuated in the j most surprising way. Those who at i , this distance from Europe shared this ' Uncertainty and were quite prepared to hear of a definite refusal to sign, may 1 be excused, for the clouds of rumours concerning the 6teps that were being prepared by the Allies for the occupation of Germany appeared to meant something. As our readers are aware, wo have frpm the beginning never had any doubt that Germany would sign; wo could see no reason for doubt, for; there was nothing else for Germany to j

do. The necessity for peace and for the lifting of the blockade was go overwhelming that the only matter for surprise was that the German Government should, for the sake of gaining concessions through delay, hare risked a fatal explosion inside Germany. The leaders of Germany certainly appeared to he emphatic enough. The President issued a statement on May 15th, in the course of which he urged the German people to prepare to carry out even the 1 hardest resolve. The Premier harangaed the crowds in Berlin, declaring that it •was impossible to sign such a treaty. The Press was nearly unanimous in clamouring to tho same effect. What jthe German leaders failed to understand

was that the resolve of the Allies was inflexible. The world had suffered unimaginable miseries through the perfidy and ambition of Germany, and it was determined that the fall of this violent Power should be as oomp'.ete as the world-domination its rulers had. planned.