THE PEACE TREATY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16704, 12 December 1919, Page 9

THE PEACE TREATY.

STERN NOTE TO GERMANY. NO ROOM FOR CO?JTROVERSY. (By Ca'c'.p—Prfs« A<w"«>c;:it:r.r. —CopynAt.l iR-catcr's PARIS, IVcember «'• The Supreme Council's Note to Germany says that the s'gn.iture of "ho Protocol and the deposit of ratifications will determine the operation cf tho Peace Treaty and tiie consequent state of tho peace, which will be guaranteed by general treaty stipulations, as wed as by the ordinary methods recognised by international law, until the treaty operates. The Supreme Council reminds Germany, for the last time, that tho denunciation cf tiie armistice wi.l bo sufficient to give the Allied armies full latitude with a view to the military measures which they judge necessary. In this spirit the Allies exprct the signature of the treaty without delay, and tlio deposit of the ratifications. Referring to the sinking of the warships at Scapa Flow, the Note sharply repudiates the German declaration that the destruction in m'.vise constituted a violation of Germany's obligations, and that the blame for the destruction lay with the Alii.-s tin mselves. The C.uiucil declares that it considers this nothing but an inexplicable attempt to wilfully delay tho enforcement cf the treaty and tho deiini'.o restoration of peace. In view of tho circumstances, tho Allies consider that Germany cannot repudiate responsibility or seek in arbitration a solution for acts of war, the settlement of which belongs to the Allies. (United Service.) (Received December 11th, 7.20 p.m.) PARIS, December 7. Hie newspapers agree that tlio new Noto to Germany purposeiv does not ndopt the form of nn ordinary ultimatum with a time limit, in order not to leave room for controversy if Germany does not complv with its "demands. The "Petit .tournal" says that military penal pes arc prepared which will give the Allies complete liberty of action, and Ultimately compel Germany to accept a harder peace, if the terms of the Note nro resisted.

NEW VCRIC, December 9. According to the Paris correspondent of tho "Chicago Tribune," the German, peace delegates -will return to Paris to ratify the treaty, subject to three concessions—first, the submission of tho Sen pa Flow sinking to tho League of Nations; seesndly. the elimination from the Protocol of the Allies' threats of coercive measures if Germnny fails to carry out the terms of the treaty: and, thirdly, that Germany should }> e aiTowctl t-o discuss the technical .side of the surrender of material. The ''Tribune" he-' lieves that the Allies will accent the second and third.

NAVAL AND MILITARY PREPAR E • TIONS. LONDON. December 6. • ~c liv y has been ordered to hold itself in readiness to reimposc the blockade on Germany. Earl Bcatty, First Soa liord of the Admiralty, has been summoned to Paris. The absence of a time limit in the Allied Note is believed to indicate German readiness to climb down. PARIS, December 9. Tho "Matin" reports that the French are moving heavy artillery towards the right bank of tho Rhine. Many etuis of Jorge calibre have crossed Kohl Bridge. AMERICAN DELEGATION LEAVES PARIS. (Received December Uth, 11.10 p.m.) PARIS, December 10. Mr F. L. Pd|k and tho other members of _ tho United States Delegation have sailed for New York. Tho American Ambassador, Mr Wallace, is to represent the United States at the Peace Conference. THE GERMAN ARMY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received December lltli, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 9. In the House of Commons, Mr Winston Churchill, Minister for War, paid that ho had no information that Germany was reorganising her army for offensive purposes. All the evidenco indicated that Germany was reducing her army in accordance with the terms of tho Peace Treaty. Her regular army was now 390,000 men. and the only other formations of fighting value in Germany were 70.000 armed constabulary. Tho Peace Conference was considering its attitude regarding these; TENSION IN GERMANY. NOSKE'3 BITTER OUTBURST. ("Tho Times."} (Received December lltli, 7.20 p.m.) BERLIN, December 7. The Allies' demands have produced a high political tension. The newspapers are filled with gloomy reports and forebodings. A mysterious fire partially destroyed the British Embassy, which was temporarily occupied'by tho Dutch Minister. Tho incident is unpleasantly associated with tho prevailing antiBritish feeling. (Australian and N.Z. Cab'o Association.) (Received December 11th. 7.120 p.m.) LONDON. December 7. Tho Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" states that Ger.nany is gravely disturbed at the latest news from Paris. The mnjoritv of tho Government are much concerned at tho Scapa Flow revelations. The Government had never heard of the German Admiralty's letter to Rear-Admiral von Router till it was published. Responsible politicians regret that so many men of the old regime continue in power under the Republic. Tho "Deutsche Tageszeitung" heads a wild outburst, declaring " the English Government roes on lying."

(Uni'cd Scrvipp.) (Rec'ived December 11th, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. Mr Ward Price, as the result of inquiries in Germany, write? that he believes that the International crisis is severe. Herr Noske, Gormany's strong man and most influential politician, advocated defiance of the Allies. lie said: "You can occupv the eountrv and do your worst. The limit has Tx>en fiassert. Britain's deceit and trickcrv ias become unbearable. If you had not the sinking of the ships at Srapa Flow as an excusc, you would invent another. You demand our last dredges and cranes in order to prevent the rebuilding of our mercantile fleet." LONDON, December 6. The Berlin correspondent of the "Weekly Dispatch"' says that the newspapers in articles with "scare headings"declare that Germany will not sign the Protocol unconditionally. Tlio correspondent adds that the Government is clearly wobblir>:r. There are persistent rumours of Ministerial resignations, and apparently thr> members of the Cabinet are divided. The Foreign Office is uncertain how far it is able to go. Another deputation, including non-diplomats, is goinz to Paris shortly with instructions to endeavour to secure concessions sufficient to save the Government's face'.