GERMANS IN LETTLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17251, 29 August 1919, Page 7

GERMANS IN LETTLAND.

TROOPS OUT OF HAND. REFUSAL TO WITHDRAW^ THREAT TO SEIZE ESTATES. By Telegraph Press Association—Copyright (Received 8.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Aug. 28. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that - the troops under the command of General von der Goltz, which were engaged to protect Lettland and Courland from Bolshevism, refuse to evacuate the provinces. They express their determination to seize estates as payment for their services, and declare that they will remain as outposts for the Homeland, especially in East Prussia, against the Bolsheviks. They sent a message to Herr Ebert, President of the German Republic, demanding that they shall be settled on their own lands in the Baltic pro-' vinces, according to a promise: which, they allege, was made to j them. It is undoubtedly the policy of the j Prussian junkers to plant strong German colonies in Lettland and Courland, in defiance of the peace treaty, in order to provide a protective strip of territory as designed in the Treaty of Brest Litovsk. General von der Goltz, ignoring orders to the contrary, returned to Mitau, and unsuccessfully attempted to restore order. The German j troops overwhelmed the Lettish regiments and plundered the stores. The German Government has issued a proclamation, which states that while the Government appreciates I the disappointment of the troops, it has no power to fulfil their wishes. SCHLESWIG PLEBISCITE. ALLIED PROTECTION. FRENCH WARSHIP ARRIVES. A. and N.Z. LONDON. Aug. 27. La Marsellaise, the first of the allied warships to be present during the plebiscite in Schleswig received an enthusiastic welcome at Flensburg. The German Admiralty protested, and notified the German warships at Apenrade that the visit was not authorised under the armistice. No action was taken.