PEACE TREATY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 120, 22 May 1919, Page 5

PEACE TREATY

GERMANY AND THE TERMS REFUSAL TO SIGN.

(Anstialias: & N.Z. Cable Association)

(Rec. May 22, 8.40 a.m.) BERLIN, Mav 21

■Cabinet announces tha*., Germany will refuse to sign the peace on the grounds that, the terms involve economic desruction, political dishonour and moral degradation. , ,

ANOTHER REPORT

RANTZAU BACK AT VERSAILLES

REPLY WITHIN TIME LIMIT,

VOLUMINOUS DOCUMENT

PROBABLE

(Rec. May 22, 1.35 p.m.) PARIS, May 21,

■Rantzau is back at Versailles. He was accompanied from Spa by Wasselmann. Director of the Reichstag. A full financial delegation will proceed this morning, Guisbert and Land-berg re-making the Versailles delegation complete. A German official wireless states that the Berlin Government National Assembly is in complete accord with the plenipotentiaries who, by determined hard work, will reply within the time limit. This leads to the expectation of delivery on Wednesday of a considerable document demanding perhaps eight to fifteen days’ Allied inspection.

SCHEIDEMANN’S VIEWS TURNING POINT OF GERMAN LIFE.

IMPOSSIBLE To‘ SIGN

Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, MUy 13

According to Berlin, advices, Schiedemann, speaking, at a meeting of the National Assam my in Berlin to discuss the peace terms, dramatically declared; ‘This is the turning point in the life oi the German .people. We must stand together. We have -no duty other than to keep the nation alive. Germany pursues no nationalistic dreams, and tnere is no question ot prestige or l-hivet for power. Life, bare life, is what we must have for Germany to-day, when everyone feels a throttling hand at his throat.” Schiedemann spoke of the German disappointment at President Wilson’s attitude, and. complained at great length of the peace Conditions, which Ihe declared were such that no honest s man could sign them, as they meant The strangling, of Germany. Ho declared) that the Vienna Government was '■standing with Germany in paving the way to negotiations, not only for thgni,elves, But for the society of nations. Schiedemann concluded: “The dignity of humanity is phted in your lianas. Preserve it. We shall make more counter proposals to the Treaty, which the Government views as unacceptable. The voice* of Italy, Britain, and France are now heard protesting.’ The whole speech was characterised ,hv laboured rhetoric, and was obviously addressed to the gallery. It was punctuated throughout with applause, ana when the President declared the Treaty unacceptable the House rose to its ieet and confirmed his words by tremendous applause, in which the galleries participated.

ANOTHER GERMAN NOTE

PARIS, May 20,

The German Note, while admitting liability to make ’ reparation, in-accord-ance with President Wilson & Note, disclaims liability to indemnify the Allies war losses. . , The Allies’-reniy adheres to the claim. nointliKg -cut that President Wilsons Note included reparation for damage arising ■ out of Germany’s aggression by land-, air, and' acta.

GERMANY PAYING FOR FOOD SUPPLIES,

AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION

i Australian & N.Z Cable Association

(Rec. May-22, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 21. Mr Gharrfberlain, in the House of Commons, said that Germany paid Britain £6,000,000 for food and also advances towards the expenses ; of the army of occupation.

WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICANS FROM THE BHIHE REPORT NOT CONFIRMED.

(Australian & N.Z Cable Association

(Rec. May 22, 11.35 'a.m.) PARIS, May 21

There is no confirmation of the re port that the United States has with drawn all troops from the Rhine.

EXTRADITION OF KAISER

HOLLAND NOT CONCERNED

\ THE HAGUE, May 13. It is officially stated that the report that Holland would agree to the Kaiser’s extradition was a pure invention, fits extradition at present concerns only the German- Government and the Entente

. DAMTZIO A GERMAN PROCLAMATION.

“WILL FIGHT TO THE UTTERMOST.”

(Australian & N.Z. Cr.blo Association '

(Rec. May 22, 10.5 a.m.-LON-DON, May 13.

A Berlin wireless communique states: Scheidmarm -sent a proclamation to Dantzig as follows: “Wo will fight to the uttermost, against separation qf German territory by violence. Dantzig is German to-day and will be for ever. It 'must a’errtaiin the vi'sib I |i \sig n to stimulate ns in a severe battle which ynll depiaud all our strengh.”