REPLIES TO GERMAAN NOTES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 29 May 1919, Page 5

REPLIES TO GERMAAN NOTES

GERMAN GOVERNMENT'S

ACTIONS,

MAY PROVE EMBARRASSING

BY CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYEIGHT

PARIS. May 23

•Replying to Count yon Ranizau's note regarding economic questions, M. CSepnenceau says the note ignores the origin and results of the war. The Allies are only asking Germany to hand over four million torus of shipping, whereas Germany had sunk twelve million tons during tthe war. M. Oectnenceau admitfe .tihat important wheat and potato areas have been taken from Germany, but these areas! would remain free to export to Ger-| many. j Replying to t'ihe complaint about lives being lost owing to the blockade, At. Clemenceau reminds the Germans that there were greater losses of lives caused by their ruthletsis aggressions. The reply concludes: "Nothing can prevent Germany regaining her position in .prosperity in Europe. Her territories suffered less during the "war than the other belligerents. Germany possesses resources T_tioh axe intaot, and which, together with 'ianpoiltiationis, should /suffice to reconisitiit_te her. Moreover, the great reduction in armaments will mean huge economy. Germany's sufferings arise net from the conditions of peace, hut from the actis of thofee who provoked and prolonged the war, the authors of . hfeh will not be able to escape its jutit consequences." M. CleanenEeau, in reply to the German note fear the repatriation of prisoners, says i__t the Allies cannot release those guilty of crimes, nor is he a?vare that any - alleviation of their position is possible, gmce their treatment has always been dn accord with the laws of "humanity. The Allies will restore _teir personal prefperty when the prisoners are repatriated. He agrees to /the appoirJtanent of a mixed commission when peace is signed, but mu_ refuse complete reciprocity dn th* return of the prisoners, in view of the treatment received by the Al- j lies interned in Germany during the war. PARIS, May 27. An insistent minority in Germany favors teignatture of the peace (treaty. The German Government's encouragement of the popular agitation against the.i signature emlbarraisses their free-, dostn of action. Son*e correspondents point out that. the Government will yield only after! actual further invasion. j general consensu® of opinion is, ' tihat the military _._chine is in ruins.