THE ARMISTICE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11760, 20 February 1919, Page 5

THE ARMISTICE.

GERMANY SIGNS THE PAPER NAVAL TERMS ~BE!NG COMPLIED WITH. (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) Paris, February 18. Marshal Fcch has a returned with the amrmistice signed. Admiral Browning who accompanied Marshal Focb, reports thatdhe naval terms are being complied with, the Germans “handing over all complete submarines, and [permitting those in course of construction to be destroyed under Biitiah supervision. THE NEW TERMS, THE WORLD WARMLY APPROVES. London, February 17 The Daily Mail states that tne world will warmly “approve a£ the new armistice terms imposed "on the Germans. “Thei-world'never forgave the submarine crimes. It is a just penalty to cut the naval claws. Rritisd occupation of Heligoland would he embarrasing; dismantlement would prevent further use as a naval base and a jumping-off pace for submarines and aircraft. The destuction of the enemy fleet would be the beat course. The ships were in a condition of filthy disrepair and unhealhty. The Allies did not want them for military purposes. Paris, February 17. It is understood Herr Erzberger’s powers on the Armistice Commission are curbed. He is not allowed to make decisions, and must submit all proposals to the Weimar Government London, February 17. It is expected [ that the armistice terms will insist on the suirender of eight more battleships, eight cruisers, 43 destroyers and 50 torpedo boats; also the surrender of Kiel tubular dock, and the ties’ruction of all submarines and submarine docks, war equipment and auxiliary cruisers. SURRENDER OF THE FLEET. THE KAISER’S GUILT. Paris, February 17. The final working out of the armistice terms begins to-morrow. Probably little will be said about naval terms, bscanse the surrender of the German Fleet under the original arimistice has pretty well crippled her in that direction. There ars still a few vessels to be delivered. Possibly the armistice will provide for the actual surrender of big ships at Scapa, which up at the present have merely been interned. If this is done the vessels are likely to be destroyed. The final peace terms will undoubtedly include the destruction of the fortifications on Heligoland and make the Kiel Canal free to civilian traffic. Germany ynll ultimately be left with a sufficient fleet for nonaggressive purposes.

A memorandum demonstrating the Kaiser’s guilt has been presented to the Crimes Commission by M. L’Arnande and M. La Praaelle, two Paris professors of law. ERZERGER’S PLEADING PAILS. FOCH ADAMANT. fuomtma Paris, February 17. Erzberger tried hard to secure a day’s prolongation before signing the renewal of the armistice, but Foch was adameut. Erzberger declared that Germany had now only 200,000 troops under arms. Prolongation of the armistice was creating distrust in Germany4iud paving the way for Bolshevism. Germany was prepared to loyally participate in tine League of Nations on the principle of political and economic equality. He admitted that Germany committed a hlnnder in annexing Alsace-Lorraine without consulting the population, and hoped that France would not commit the same blunder. AUSTRALIA’a vvAR INDEMNITY. The Federal Cabinet has decided to cable Mr Hughes to present Australia’s case to the Peace Conference for inclusion of the cast of war in the indemnity claim. SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION Capetown, Feb 17 In the Assembly, the ActingPremier announced that the Admiral commanding the British Fleet in South African waters had offered the Independene delegation passage to England in the Minerva, which is leaving shortly. A SENATOR ATTACKS THE LEAGUE. Washington. Feb 18 Mr Vardanaan, in the Senate, attacked the League of Nations. It was unconstitutionally wrong for President Wilson to ask the Senate to be silent pending his return. MR TAFT’S OPINION. Washington, Feb 17 Mr Taft declares that the League of Nations covenant appears to be an effective doenment, though there are many things to be worked out later.