THE PEACE CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3402, 28 May 1919, Page 19

THE PEACE CONFERENCE

GERMAN COUNTER PROPOSALS. PROBABLE TERMS OF THE AUSTRIAN TREATY. (By Cabyr AN EXTENSION OF TIME. Official: Germany has been granted an extension of time until Thursday, May 29, to reply to the peace terms.* THE GERMAN DELEGATES. BERLIN, May 13. Count Rantzau declares that nothing is further from his thoughts than to attempt personal negotiations -with President Wilson. PARIS, May 14. Herr Landsberg and Herr Giesberts, two of the German peace delegates, have left Versailles for Germany to confer with the Government. May 21. Count Rantzau is back at Versailles, ac-. companied from Spa by von Wassermann, Director of the Reichstag, and a full financial delegation, thus making the Versailles delegation again complete. LONDON, May 23. Several members of the German Cabinet, accompanied by Count Bernstorff, have gone to Spa to consult the German delegates, with a view to facilitating the final decision. The telegraph lines are seriously Interrupted. GERMAN NOTES AND ALLIED REPLIES, PARIS, May 12. Count Rantzau presented two further Notes on Sunday, these dealing with war prisoners and labour legislation. y May 20. The German Note, while admitting liability to make reparation in accordance with Mr Wilson's Note of November 5, 1918, disclaims liability to indemnify the Allied war losses. The Allied reply adheres to the claim, pointing out that Mr Wilson's Note included reparation for damage arising from Germany's aggression by land, air, and sea. The Allied reply to the German representations is a refusal to admit that the German people can disclaim responsibility for the actions of the former German Government. LONDON, May 21. Count Rantzau intends to present six additional notes —the first regarding Eastern territorial questions, the second m regard to Alsace and Lorraine, the third on occupied regions, the fourth on reparation, the fifth on labour legislation, and the sixth on the treatment of German property in enemy countries. It is believed that Rantzau proposes that a joint committee, under a neutral president, shall decide economic controversies, and that another committee shall determine the damage done in France and Belgium. Rantzau protests that there has been no consideration given to the damage which Germany has sustainej, and he urges that Austria-Hungary must be held equally responsible as Germany for the war. PARIS, May 21. A German Government Note agrees to the demands regarding repayment for all material damage resulting from the violation of Belgium's neutrality, including that done by the Allied armies. May 22. The Allied reply to the Note regarding German prisoners says that complete reciprocity cannot be considered, because there is no parallel between the German and the Allied treatment of prisoners. The Allies have replied to the German Note on the matter to the effect that prisoners of war found guilty of crimes would be retained and punished. May 23. The Allies' seply to the German Note states that Germany must recognise that in the present state of the world which she was mainly instrumental in creating, she cannot escape unscathed. The Allies have apportioned Germany's share not in accordance with her deserts, but solely with regard to her ability to pay it. GERMAN COUNTER PROPOSALS. NEW YORK, May 15. The New York World's Paris correspondent states that the German peace delegates are preparing several Notes for presentation to the Peace Conference, one of which will charge the Allies with criminal responsibility for starting the war, and ask for the arraignment of the Allies as wrongdoers in this connection. The Note will also demand an investigation of the Government archives of all the belligerents in order to fix the responsibility for the war. Another Note proposes that Germany shall retain sovereignty over the Saar Valley, with an engagement -that, Germany shall supply France with coal from the mines for a stated period. It further proposes that the quantity of coal to be supplied to France shall be diminished on a sliding scale in proportion to the progress of the restoration of the French mines.

ROTTERDAM, May 22. According to advices Germany's counterproposals include a suggestion that the surrender of her colonies should constitute part payment of the reparation claims.

OTHER COUNTER PROPOSALS. PARIS, May 20. The Berlin correspondent of Le Temps states that the Gorman counter-proposals include the following: Germany is ready to assure France of Saar coal and even of certain rights in the Ruhr Basin.

Germany will accept the occupation of the loft bank of the Rhine fox the period fixed by the Versailles Conference, hut trill ask that the area remain under Ger-

man administration and that the plebiscite clause be suppressed. Germany will recognise Polish _ sovereignty over territory within the line of demarcation fixed in the armistice terms, and demand a plebiscite in the other districts now proposed to be included in Poland.

Germany will propose a free port of Dantzig, with autonomous Polish administration of the Polish railway. Germany will demand a fixed figure for indemnities, contending that it is impossible to draw up a Budget and impose taxes without knowing exactly what the country has to pay.

THE SAAR VALLEY. LONDON, May 24. The Council of Four has modified the formula whereby Germany pays in gold for the Saar mines if a plebiscite in 1934 goes against France.

HERR SCHIEDEMANN'S SPEECH LONDON, May 13.

According to Berlin advices Herr Schiedemann, speaking at the meeting of the National Assembly in Berlin to discuss the peace terms, dramatically declared: " This is the turning point in the life of the German people. We must stand together. We have no duty other than to keep the nation alive. Germany pursues no nationalistic dreams. There is no question of prestige or thirst for power. Life —bare life —is what we must save for Germany to-day, when everyone feels the throttling hand at his throat." Herr Schiedemann spoke of the German disappointment at Mr Wilson's attitude, and complained at great length of the peace conditions, which he declared were such that no honest man could sign them, as they meant the strangling of Germany. He declared that the Vienna Government was standing with the Germans in paving the way to negotiations not only for themselves but for the society of nations.

Herr Schiedemann concluded: " The dignity of humanity is placed in your hands. Preserve it. We shall make more counter-proposals to the treaty, which the Government views as unacceptable. The voices of Italy, Britain, and France are now heard protesting." The whole speech was characterised by laboured rhetoric, and was obviously addressed to the gallery. It was punctuated throughout with applause, and when the President declared that the treaty was unacceptable the House rose to its feet and confirmed the words bv tremendous cheering, in which the galleries participated. A Berlin "wireless communique states that Chancellor Schiedemann sent the following proclamation to Dantzig : " We will fight to the uttermost against the separation of German territory by violence. Dantzig is German to-day, and will be for ever. It must remain a visible sign to stimulate us in the severe battle, which will demand all our strength." GERMAN TALL TALK. BERLIN, May 14. Great demonstrations thronged the Wilhelmstrasse on Monday, denouncing President Wilson and M. Clemenceau as robbers and traitors. The speakers declared that Germany's confidence in President Wilson was utterly broken. Chancellor Seheidemann addressed the demonstrators. Then the soldiers cleared the streets. ROTTERDAM, May 20. President Ebert, in an interview, said that Germany would rather suffer under foreign occupation than sign the treaty. She would not offer armed resistance at present, owing to the smallness of her army, but would rely on passive resistBERLIN, May 21. The German Cabinet announces that Germany will refuse to sign peace on the grounds that the terms involve her economic destruction, political dishonour, and moral degradation. PARIS, May 21. A German official wireless message states that the Berlin Government and National Assembly are in complete accord with the Elenipotentiaries, who, by determined ard work, will reply within the time limit, this leading to all expectations of the delivery on Wednesday of a document of such size as to demand perhaps from eight to 15 days' inspection by the Allies.

ERZBERGER AND THE TREATY. LONDON, May 14. The Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent has interviewed Herr Erzberger, who described the treaty as "Devil's work," but who hopes still to achieve a treaty based on Right, instead of leaving Germany garrotted, bound hand and foot, gagged, and blinded, with less freedom than Egypt.

"The German Government," said Erzberger, " is absolutely united in the decision not to sign the treaty unless it is radically altered. It is not a question of threatening anybody with Bolshevism; the position is much too serious for that. Germany now stands condemned to death. If she must go under, let it be quickly. Our only hope was a bearable peace." DR DERNBERG'S VIEWS.

The Daily News Berlin correspondent has interviewed Dr Dernberg, who said : "Germany cannot think of conceding the Saar Valley and Silesia, or of allowing a foreign committee to interfere with Germany's internal affairs. We insist on a peace based on President Wilson's 14 points. I cannot imagine that any Government could be found in Germany who would sign such a treaty. Anyhow, even if we did sign it, we could not fulfil its obligations. It must be an equitable peace, after full and free negotiations; otherwise let the Allies run Germany for themselves, and get more out of it if they can. We determinedly refuse to sign the treaty as submitted. I say this as Vice-president of the Cabinet, t also say that the whole Government is unanimous. The present government, having a majority in the National Assembly and commanding tho

military authority, is the only possible Government. Any successors to the present Government could offer but little security."

Other ■ correspondents draw attention to Herr Haase's speech, in which he protested against a peace of destruction, suppression, injustice, and violation, " but," he added, "those who did not protest at the Brest-Litovsk and Bucharest Treaties have no right to complain." Herr Haase agreed that Germany would just collapse under the impossible terms. He hoped that a world revolution, which he says is surely coming, would result in a revision of the terms.

NEWS FROM CORRESPONDENTS. LONDON, May 14. The Daily Nows Berlin correspondent states that as a spontaneous demonstration of popular indignation the National Assembly meeting proved quite effective. There was great cheering when Herr Scheidemann , declared that they would " take away that murder plot." Nevertheless the situation is serious. If tho Giovernment signs the treaty it will be overthrown by the militarists; on the other hand, refusal to sign would resultin an overthrow through the Communists instigating a general strike. In either event it will mean internal chaos. Prompt concessions extending international adrninistration to Dantzig and-over the " corridor," and conceding a plebiscite to Upper Silesia might secure the signature. The Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent says that the newspapers there claim that the Entente cannot fail to be impressed by the unanimity expressed in the National Assembly. The papers give prominence to the vehement ohrase used by the Prussian Prime Minister, Hirsch, to the effect that the Germans would rather be dead than slaves. Women delegates have appealed to their sisters in Entente countries to realise what the terms mean for the German mothers.

The Mayor of a West Prussian town advised the citizens to go home and pack their belongings and close the shops, because fighting would start immediately. Many other people have made similar predictions.

May 19. The Daily Chronicle's Rotterdam correspondent, after summing up further evidence, predicts confidently that Germany will sign the Peace Treaty after further bargaining. '

Vorwarts, in an article headed " Burn or Jump From the Window," asks those supporting the refusal to sign the treaty what they can offer. It says the most favourable prospect will be starvation through unemployment instead of slavery to the Entente. r

NEW YORK, May 14. According to the United Press Paris correspondent a crowd of 15,000 Majority Socialists gathered in front of the Hotel Adlon, at Berlin, where Americans are staying, and shouted: " Down with the Americans; down with Wilson." The tumult grew to such proportions that the military were called out and dispersed the crowd, who then gathered in front of the Reichstag Building, where Richard Fischer delivered a speech. He said that Germany would not sign the peace. The. demonstrators returned to the front of the Adlon Hotel, jeering, hooting, and shouting: "Americans are robbers." Demonstrations against the peace terms continued in other parts of the city. ALLIED PREPARATIONS. LONDON, May 14. The Exchange Telegraph's Berlin correspondent says that the Czechs are concentrating forces at Taus, in Bohemia, ready to invade Germany if she refuses to sign the Peace Treaty. May 23. The Daily Express Cologne correspondent reports that everything is ready for an advance if Germany refuses to sign the treaty. Guns have gone forward, infantry routes have been mapped out, and the units have received detailed instructions. THE EX-KAISER, PARIS, May 12. Belgium refuses to prosecute the exKaiser, and the uncertainty of his trial is thereby developing. THE HAGUE, May 13. It is officially stated that the report that Holland would agree to the extradition was a pure invention. His extradition at present concerns only the German Government and the Entente Powers. THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN TREATY. THE PROBABLE TERMS. PARIS, May 12. The outlines of the terms of the Anstro.Hungarian Peace Treaty show that Austria will be reduced to what is now known as German Austria, Jugo-Slavia will be given the Banat of Temesvar, and Rumania will bo. given a large part of Transylvania, while Italy gets the Tyrol. Aus-tria-Hungary will get sea access regardless of the Fiumo outcome. Conscription Avill be abolished, and the Austro-Hungarian armies will be reduced to volunteer and police forces. Austria must surrender all munitions and artillery and all but a nominal number of warships. Hungary must reduce the Rumanian frontier fortifications. The economic .provisions are similar to those in the German treaty. The Czecho-Slovaks, Jngo-Slavs, Hungarians, and Austrians will share the prewar debts proportionate to their interest when they were in the Empire. A permanent Allied Financial Commission will handle the indemnities. The treaty provides for the trial of those guilty of criminal acts. There is no provision for the trial of the ex-Bmperor Charles. A special commission under the League of Nations will superintend Danube navigation. NEW YORK, May 12. The New York Times Paris correspond-

ent states that the League of Nations Covenant will not be incorporated in the Austrian Peace Treaty. LONDON, May 13. The Council of Four, in framing the Austrian terms, will probably endeavour to oiler lenient conditions, with a view to effecting a detachment between Austria and Germany. The financial situation in Austria-Hun-gary with regard to the war debt is a difficult problem. The Monarchy is so carved up into new states that repudiation must inevitably occur. It is certain that the newly-created States are not likely to shoulder any portion of the Austrian debt contracted during the war, though they are not unwilling to bear a just .proportion of tho debts contracted before the war. Any financial indemnity from what is left of the Austrian Empire seems out of the question, but she will comply with the naval, military, and air terms similar to those imposed on Germany. PARIS, May 14. It is probable that the Austrian merchantmen will be pooled and divided among tho Allies. May 19. The indemnity clause in the Austrian treaty is one-twentieth of the German indemnity, amounting to 5,000,000,000 gold marks, without bonds. The Italians ask that Austria be obliged to return priceless art treasures taken from Italy during previous wars. NEW YORK, May 15. The New York World's Paris correspondent states that the Austrian peace terms will be ready in five days. The Austrians will be given a week in which to consider the terms. AUSTRIAN INDEPENDENCE. LONDON, May 15. Herr Renner, chief of the Austrian Peace Delegation, in an interview at Basle when en route to Paris, said he would ad-' vance a programme embracing the union of Austria and Germany. The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent says: It is recognised here that the incorporation of Austria with the German Republic would entirely alter the balance of power within the German borders, and largely neutralise the present preponderance of Prussians, but under the existing settlement with Germany such incorporation is impossible. The treaty demands that Germany shall recognise Austrian independence until the League of Nations sanctions the change, which cannot be made unless the council of the league is unanimous; apd it is inconceivable that Italy would consent to it. THE" LEAGUE OF NATIONS. LONDON, May 19. Lord Grey, in an interview, said he was delighted to find that the League of Nations Covenant covered so much ground. Armaments would diminish as the sense of security increased. The acceptance of the mandatory principle regarding backward nations represented a great gain. The key to the whole organisation of the league was the annual meeting of Premiers and Foreign Secretaries. Peace would be secure as long as meet-

ings were held regularly and were wisely inspired. AMERICAN PEACE MISSION. LONDON, May 22. The Daily Herald's Paris correspondent states that nine members of the American Peace Mission have resigned, because they consider the peace terms transgress the spirit of President Wilson's 14 points. AMERICAN PARTY POLITICS. There were bitter "attacks in the Senate on President Wilson's politics. The League of Nations was particularly assailed. Senator Sherman denounced the league as a revolutionary attempt to establish, a parliament of nations under oligarchio control. He said the President was a radical revolutionary visionary, dangerous to the country, and his administration was a hybrid between the French Revolution and an Oriental despotism. CARVING UP TURKEY. , PARIS, May 18. An inspired French comment says the occupation of Smyrna by the Greeks is the first step towards the total dismemberment of the Turkish Empire. The apportionment, -writes M. Pertmak, in the Echo de Paris, is as follows:—Constantinople is to be internationalised under an American mandate, France refusing it. The rest of Turkey in Europe, with Smyrna, will go to Greece. Armenia will be independent, protected by America. Mesopotamia and Palestine will be under a mandate to Britain, who Avill be predominating also in Arabia, while Syria, including Adana, will be under mandate to France, and Italy, will have Adalia. The Turkish remnant' will have as the new capital Konich, or Broussa. The newspaper Midi says: The decision regarding Syria is uncertain, and there is a doubt about America's willingness to accept a mandate covering Constantinople. MANDATES. PARIS, May 13. The Belgians strongly protest against the suggestion for a solution of the German East Africa question, whereby Belgium will receive a mandate over the portion occupied by Belgian arms, and point out that t|he solution contravenes the principle of placing large and small nations on an equal footing. LONDON, May .21. Details in connection with the mandate for Nauru are not finally settled, but are likely to be settled in a few days in a, manner satisfactory to all parties. DUTCH VIEWS. ROTTERDAM, May 12. With the exception of the Telegraaf, the Dutch press unanimously and scathingly condemn the peace terms. The papers waste no sympathy on Germany, but protest that the terms will provoke bitter dis-. sension in the future. . AMSTERDAM, May 12. . Troestra (Dutch Socialist) sharply criticises the peace terms, 'which he says

would be a calamity, not only to Germany, but to the whole of humanity. He favours a revolution in the Allied countries, also in Holland, choosing an opportune moment. Troestra does not reject Bolshevism, but opposes violence. ITALIAN TOUCHINESS. MILAN, May 12. There is much comment in the newspapers at Italy's exclusion from the new Triple Alliance. The Idea Nazionale regards it as an attempt to isolate Italy. Some papers agree that it is a matter for diplomatic negotiations. Not one editorial comment even expresses satisfaction over the Italians not being required to undertake a share in the defence of France without receiving any adequate return. May 23. Britain, France, and the United States have requested an explanation from Italy as to why Italian troops have been desdespatched to Turkey. May 24. The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent states that there is growing impatience at Italy's attitude in connection with Fiume. Amongst the delegates, Signori Salandra, Raggi, and Barzilai support the extreme pan-Italian Party against Signor Orlando, v 7 ho, it is understood, favours a compromise. May 24. The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent says that the Fiume question is settled. Italy's sovereignty is recognised in principle, but Greater Serbia receives the full and unfettered use of the port. A WIDER VISION. SYDNEY, May 21. The Morning Herald, in a leader, urges the necessity, in view of the mandate she is receiving over the Pacific Islands, of Australia widening her vision, adopting a more settled policy, and making a more systematic attempt to solve the problems existing in her -widened sphere. The paper raises the question of the unsatisfactory condominium in the New Hebrides, and says that Australia can offer strong arguments in favour of the dissolution of the condominium, but the weak part of her case is that, while pointing to this course, she shows too great a disposition to leave paying the piper to someone else. Probably the condominium could be ended by cessions to France in Equatorial Africa, or by the payment of a few million pounds. But, until Australia shows a disposition to incur her part of the obligation, can she wonder that her appeal lacks force? GENERAL ITEMS. Poland is claiming part of the German fleet for defensive purposes. The Bolshevists in Russia have sent a message of sympathy to the Germans in their hard trial under the Entente blows. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Austen Chamberlain) stated in the House of Commons that Germany has paid Britain £6,000,000 for food and for advances towards the expenses of our army of occupation. The week of humiliation was begun at Cologne on May 12 in deep gloom. Cardinal Hartmann compares the Germans to the Babylonian Jews. All cabarets and places of amusement were closed. The Korean delegation has petitioned the Peace Conference claiming the liberation from Japan and the reconstruction of Korea as an independent State. The delegation declares that the treaty of Seoul m 1910 was dictated under circumstances of force, which vitiated its validity.