THE PEACE TREATY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16821, 29 May 1919, Page 3

THE PEACE TREATY.

GERMAN OPPOSITION. NO MILITARY PREPARATIONS. Australian ; and N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW YORK, May 16. The "New York Times" Berlin correspondent inquired at the "War Ministry regarding persistent rumours saying that the military authorities had planned resistance against the Allies if the Peace Treaty were rejected. The officials denied the correctness of the rumours, anil also declared that there was no truth in the reports that German scientists were devising means for infecting a possible invading army with the germs of a fatal disease. THE ALLIES PREPARED. LONDON, May 16. ■ Lord Gurzon, in a speech at the Primrose League, said that in the event of Germany not signing,, the Allies were prepared for every emergency. No substantial modification of the Treaty would be permitted. Our terms were in such strong contrast to Germany's proposed terms if she had been victorious that they recalled Lord Olive's phrase, "We stand aghast at our own moderation." POSSIBLE EVENTUALITIES. PARIS, May 16; Jn view of possible eventualities, British cavalry units are proceeding Rhinewards. THE NEW STATES. "WASHINGTON, May 27. It is understood that safeguards, against religious discrimination in the new States of Europe have been agreed to by the Council of Four. COUNTER PROPOSALS DISCUSSED. BERLIN, May 16. There have been prolonged Government discussions propounding counterproposals, based on Mr "Wilson's fourteen points. The anti-Entente feeling is so strong that Anglo-American' officers have been brdered to wear nufti lest they should incite the populace. AN APPEAL TO MR WILSON. AMSTERDAM, May 16. A Berlin wireless message states that the Provincial Council of East Prussia has appealed to Mr "Wilson to act against- brutal plundering, and requesting Mr "Wilson to consent to verbal negotiations with the German delegates at Versailles. Crowds demonstrated outside _ the headquarters of the American Mission at Hamburg. - Speakers fiercely protested against the disastrous peace terms. officer attached to the Mission consented to forward the demands to Mr Wilson. THE SAAR VALLEY.

PARIS, May 16. It is understood authoritatively that the German counter-proposal with reference to the Saar Valey agrees to surrender coal, but insists upon the retention of political jurisdiction. A REFERENDUM SUGGESTED. BERLIN, May" 16. Newspapers predict that. the Govy •■?•-■>ment will- arrange for a people's :. ?rendum regarding acceptance or rtfusal of the Treaty in the event of the Allies refusing concessions. TWO KINDS OF DELEGATES. ROME, May 16. Sarcastic comments appear in newspapers regarding the friendly treatment of Austrian delegates. The "Tempo" declares that the delegates were actually 'informed that they would be' treated better than the Germans but that they must not say so.