The Star. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1919. GERMANY WILL SIGN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12646, 2 June 1919, Page 4

The Star. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1919. GERMANY WILL SIGN.

The explicit declaration of Mr Lloyd George that Germany must sign the fence Treaty, if not at Versailles them >n Berlin, struck tho note which the poop o of the Empire have been wail- - to hear._ U has been struck, and there is nothing wrong with the sound. I'or the past few months the cables have kept ns supplied with tho doings of tho Fence Conference and the development of tho truculent spirit of Germany. I*nr too much emphasis has been laid on the inevitable differences which arose among tho Allies during the progress of tho Peace Conference” It seemed impossible that any terms could be arranged for presentation to the enemy, and it was represented tint 1 resident Wilson entirely dominated tho situation. Events have shown, however, that the Allies have been' united, and that the terms which have Been submitted have the approval of the lending Powers- A significant fact which should be noted is that while a campaign against President Wilson was proceeding there was never any suggestion that it had its inspiration from the British delegation. On the contrary, Mr Lloyd George and President Wilson have been working in hannonv and probably these two statesmen ha/e done more than any others to shape the terms of peace. Tho outburst c.f anger in Germany when the peace terms were announced is quite understandable. Germany was very nearly victorious—bow near to victory we are only beginning to find out—and it is hard to be compelled to accept the bitterness of defeat instead of the sweets of triumph. Tho refusal of the German Foreign Minister, Count Broclc-dorff-Rantzau, to sign does not express the official decision of the German Government. Riintzau has consistently followed a policy of resistance, designed to impress the Allies with the idea that Germany would not sign the penes To carry through his bluff he has to retire, and give place to someone who frill be more coniplaisant. The German peace delegates have been given a certain time in which to thoroughly digest tho terms of the Treaty; tiny hare made counter-proposals, and ha?" agreed to accept certain responsibilities, while from time to time in thnr own land prominent Germans have hysterically proclaimed that Germany will never sign. All the while the Big Four hare sat tight patiently waiting for the day of settlement to arrive. There have been complaints both in England and France at the delay, but that was only to he expected. It was a natural feeling that Germany, haring acknowledged defeat, all that remained to be done was for the Allies to draw up their terms, present them to tho'r late enemy and demand their immediate signature. Unfortunately, while this was much to be desired there were serious problems to be worked out. These, so far as Germany is concerned, have been settled, and unpalatable as ’the terms are, Germany will have to accept them. Where tho peace is signed is immaterial. Berlin will do quite as well as Versailles, and there is no douPt that in Allied countries the feeling is that it should have been Berlin from the first.