"A VAST CONSPIRACY."

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15308, 23 February 1920, Page 5

"A VAST CONSPIRACY."

lAostralian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received Feb. 22, 5.5 p m ) New York, Feb. 20 The "New York Times's" P^ris correspondent interviewed General Niessel. who made a report for Fxanee concerning the miljtarv situation of Germany. General Miessel said there was a vast conspiracy afloat in Germany to deceive the Allies and escape fulfilment of the peace terms,, especially in regard to the military clauses. Herr Noske absolutely refuses to submit these clauses. The Ireaty provides that Germany shall have a military force of only ~ 100,000 men, but she has the Eeichswehr of nearly 400,000. composed of former officers and fully armed with field artillery There are also organisations of demobilised special officers and athletic culture societies of various kinds. Gert many Avould have no difficulty in putting several millions of men in the field in a short time. Germany is also camouflaging ammunition factories, and amassed huge stores of shells.

_ Paris, Feb. 18. lhe Foreign Affairs Commission discussed the disarmament of Germany, and disclosed the fact that Germany "is not complying with the Treaty requirement of a maximum of 100,000 troops by April Ist. The total strength of tho old Army and the Reichswehr is now 430,000. Although German military power in its original form was destroyed, it was being reconstructed by immense police forces despite an apparent diminution jn regular troops. London, Feb. 18. Owing to the delay in the signing of the Peace Treaty, the Supreme Council has extended the date for the reduction of the German Army to July 10th.