ALLIES AND GERMANY

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14583, 4 February 1921, Page 5

ALLIES AND GERMANY

THREATS, NOT PROPOSALS FOREIGN MINISTER’S DEFENCE. ALLIES’ IMPOSSIBLE TERMS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 3, 5.5 p.m. BERLIN, February 2. Herr Simons, in a speech in the Reichstag, defended ■ Ibe Government against the* reproach that it had not advanced proposals regarding the Allies’ demands. Ho uttered a warning against what he described as the superstition Hal more was' obtainable from Germany by dictation than by negotiations. Herr Simons added that it would have been impossible even in the most nourishing pre-war days to meet the Allies’ demands. The whole sctllemeiirt was obscure and contained contradictions to the Treaty. It spelled complete economic enslavement of people, especially flic workers. The proposed export tax would throttle the export industry. He asserted that the Allies could not punish Germany for not accepting the proposals, otherwise they would be no longer proposals, but threats. The Allies’ threat to refuse Germany entry info Ih League of Nations was premature, as Germany had not asked for admission. The present inducement to eider was not so great as to counteract the terrors of non-entry. AN INSOLENT SPEECH. A STAGE-MANAGED COMEDY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 3, 5.5 p.m. LON D ON, February 2. The morning papers characterise Herr Simons’ speech as insolent. The Reichstag scene was a carefully stagemanaged comedy with a view to forwarding Hie Berlin Government’s plan to pay how much and when I he Government pleases. The speech is regarded as hanging (lie big drum with ;j. view to keeping flic door open for fresh negotiations at the London Conference, when the Germans hope tja meet the Allies on an equal footing. UNITY OF GERMAN PARTIES. IN OPPOSING THE DEMANDS. BLAME FOR THE .MILITARISTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 3, 0.10 p.m. BERLIN, February 3. Herr Schnffer, as spokesman for the Democrats and (he Centre and People’s parties, approved Herr Simon's speech. Ho said liii' demands were not compatible with the Treaty, or the honour and economic needs of Germany. He hoped that the Government would secure terms restoring peace and security. otherwise the parlies named would support the Government in refusing lim conditions, which amounted to the economic annihilation of Germany now and hi the future. Other speakers followed in a similar strain, hut Hen Hergt, a Nationalist, I emphasised the disarmament terms, ! and said the Government should main-1 lain a firmer tone. The debate was again adjourned i after Independent Socialists blamed J Ihe militarists for the disarmament 1 conditions, The impression in Entente circles is Hint Hie debate will not Pad to developments, Hic only purpose of the speeches being to show that Germany is united.