THE ARMISTICE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11754, 11 February 1919, Page 8

THE ARMISTICE.

Second Edition

POSITION REGARDED AS SERIOUS

GERMANY NOT DEMOBILISING.

United Press Association—By Eletric Telegraph— Copyright. Received Feb 31, noon London, Feb 30 A reliable French statement regarding the armistice position says that the French military authorities regard it as serious. German plenipotentariea recently ignored Marshal Foch’s invitation to a meeting. Focb was compelled to use tnreats. The the German [pienipotentaries daring the last fortnight has changed. Formerly they argued it to be in the Entente’s interests to enable Germany to remain the stable element of the European equilibrium They now say that Germany will not accept terms implying defeat, declaring that only Getmanys economic and domestic situation and the failing of her Allies compelled her to cease fighting. The beat reason exists for believing that Germany is not continuing to demobilise. Germany has concentrated eighteen divisions on the eastern front and is keeping others under arms on the pietext of economic pressure. It ’s believed in some quarters that Germany has sufficient material to aim three millions. Allied and military authorities consider the time has arrived to reduce Germany to such conditions that she won’t be able to resist the Allies’ terms of peace, whereas Germany aims at maintaining sufficient military strength to enable her to resist unfavourable terms. While the French nation will support the Government in preventing Germany escaping the consequences of defeat, the French nation in respect refused to compromise in view of a competent British authority obtained on the foregoing French view. He confirmed it, adding: Fcch has made a somewhat serious declaration to the Supreme War Council. Fooh feels that the Germans are beginning to forget that they are bealen. In addition to delay in surrendering material Germany has discontinued demobilising, whereas ths Allies are demobilising fast. The Allies must face the possibility of Germany possessing more troops than thamselvea. The Supreme War Council has taken up the question of demobilisation and technical advisers favour taking additional measures to ensure bsing able to dictate terms of peace.