HARD TERMS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 79, 18 March 1919, Page 5

HARD TERMS

Imposed by the Allies.

Germany Dosed With Her Own Medicine [PBSM ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT] (Received 18, 9.0.) London, March 16. The “Daily Mail” states the German delegates are authorised to break off negotiations with the Allies if the latter insist on the independence of the Rhine province.—(A. and N.Z-) (Received 18, 10.40.) Berlin, March 16. Serious Cabinet differences are reported. Schiedemann, Noske, David and Erzberger favour the immediate acceptance of the Allied terms in order to begin reconstruction. Count Rantzau desires to contest every point and to he as defiant as Germany dares, and finally, if necessary, refuse to sign the peace treaty. Apparently Scheidemann will be victorious.

New York, March 13. The “New York limes’” Pans correspondent states that unofficial reports from Berlin and Weimar indicate the most intense dissatisfaction in German Government circles at the severity of the military and naval terms imposed by the Allies. Apparently it is suggested that the Ebert Government, rather than accept the terms, may resign and let the Allies follow their own course. This would necessitate the occupation of the whole of Germany by the Allied troops.

An official despatch from Paris states the “Social Demokraten” at Stockholm publishes an interview with Ludendorff in which he says:—German military power has for ever vanished. He attributes the German defeat to von Moltke’s deficient strategy, von Falkenhayne’s defective direction, poor information supplied by the German Intelligence Service, and particularly to Austria’s inability to help Germane, which was caused by the Italian armv’s tenacious fighting.—-(A. and NZ.) ' "

LEAGUE OF NATIONS PROBLEM.

NOT YET SOLVED-.

Received 18, 10.40 a.m.)

Paris, March 16. There is considerable anxiety regarding President Wilson’s insistance on the inclusion of the League of Nations in the Peace Treaty. President Wilson thus hopes to prevent his opponents in America rejecting the treatv, and thus destroy peace.

lhe British and French consider the League not yet ripe for solution, and the preliminary peace agreement cannot : await the completion of the League.

REPARATION AND RESTITUTION.

(Received 18, 9.0.)

London, March 16. Payment for foodstuffs will be made by means of credits in neutral countries and certain permitted exports, including coal and and the sums earned by the surrendered ships.

Germany immediately pays eighteen millions sterling to the National Bank- of Belgium as a guarantee. A gold reserve of one hundred millions remains available for reparation.

The purchase of the ships will be worked under an interAllied board with the assistance of one German delegate. Portions of the German crews will be retained, except where used for transporting troops.

An Allied Economic Commission lias been established at Hamburg to deal with freights. The vessels will be handed over at the various ports. There will be no formal surrender.— (A. and N.Z.)

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WAR.

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF GERMANY’S GUILT

Paris, March 13

“Le Journal des Debats” publishes from the Serbian Minister despatches sent from the Austrian Ambassador at Berlin prior to the war, showing that Germany counted on Serbia refusing the Austrian ultimatum and warned Austria against accepting the British offers of mediation. A Berne message states that a priest, formerly confessor to the wife of the murdered Archduke Francis Ferdinand, has published a pamphlet accusing Count Tisza, Hungarian Foreign Minister, with direct complicity in the Sarajevo crime. He points out that no inquiry was ever held and there was a notorious lack of precautions for the Duke’s safety. A Berlin message states that Professor Schiemann, the exKaiser’s confidential adviser on Russian affairs, discloses that from 1909 to 1914 the Russian Ambassador’s despatches from London to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were regularly communicated to Germany. The despatches were concealed from the Kaiser for fear that he might make indiscreet public references and thus put an end to the leakage. Schcimann indicates the source of the treachery.—(A. and N.Z.)

RUMANIA’S PRIVATIONS.

London, March 12

Interviewed by the “Pall Mall Gazette,” the Queen of Rumania pictured the continued privations of her people. Germany had stripped the country bare of everything, including all facilities for transport. The country was ravaged, perhaps even to a greater extent than Belgium. Hunger was felt in every home and the great mass of the women and children were starving. The position was admittedly dangerous, but Bolshevism had no hold. She urged that Rumania offered great opportunities for British commercial enterprise, but placed first her dire need of food and clothing.—(United Sendee.)

KOREA'S EFFORT FOR INDEPENDENCE.

Peking, March 13

There is a widespread movement in Korea aiming at independence. Thousands of demonstrators in the towns and villages have been arrested. Korean Nationalists have arranged parades throughout the country.- —(A. and N.Z.) (Received 18, i.iop.m.) Washington, March 16.

The Korean Committee appealed to President Wilson to place Korea under the direction of a mandatory until the League of Nations decides its fitness for self-government.— (A. and N.Z.)

PACIFIC ISLAND MANDATES.

(Received 18, I. IO.)

Paris, March 15

The British delegation further discussed the Pacific Islands mandates question. There is growing British feeling that Japan should be given a similar mandate as regards the Marshall and Caroline Islands.

Regarding Nauru, Australia has expressed its willingness to accept anv form of mandate acceptable to Britain, but the Colonial Office wishes the mandates to remain in British hands, —(A, and N.Z.)