THE ARMISTICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 118, 12 February 1919, Page 7

THE ARMISTICE

GERMAN PLENIPOTENTIARIES' ATTITUDE FOCH HAS TO RESORT TO THREATS DEMOBILISATION OF GERMAN TROOPS DISCONTINUED By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, February 10. The Paris correspondent of the "Daily News" quotes a reliable French statement regarding the armistice position. Ie says the French military authorities regard it as serious. The German plenipotentiaries- recently ignored Marshal Foch's invitation to a meeting, and Foch was compelled to use threats. The attitude of the German plenipotentiaries during the last fortnight has changed. They formerly argued that it would be in the interests of the Entente to enable Germany to remain a stable element of the European equilibrium. They now say that Germany will not accept terms that imply defeat, declaring that only Germany's economic and domestic situation and the failure-of her allies compelled her to cease fighting. The best of reasons exist for believing that Germany is not continuing to demobilise. Eighteen, divisions aTo concontrated on the Eastern front, and others we kept under arms on the pretext of economic pressure. It is oelievcd in some quarters that Germany has sufficient material to arm threo millions of men. The Allied military authorities consider that the time.has.arrival '.o ieduce Germany to such a condition Jhat she will not be ablo to resist the Allies' terms of peace, whereas suns at, maintaining sufficient military strength to enable her to .resist unfavourable terms. The whole of the French nation will support the Government in preventing Germany escaping the consequence of her defeat. The French nation has rea-seu to compromise on this matter. The correspondent states that he obtained, the view of a competent British authority on the foregoing French view. He confirmed' it, .adding that Marshal Foch hag made si somewhat serious declaration to the Supreme War Council. He feels that the Germans are beginning to forget that the}' ii-<> beaten. .In addition to do-lay in surrendering material, Germany has discontinued demobilising whereas' the Allies are demobilising fast. The Allies must face the possibility of Germany possessing more troops ihan themselves. The Supreme. .War Council has taken up the question of demobilisation. Its technical adv.isers favour taking additional measures to ensure being alle to dictate.the terms of peace—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. -.'■'.■ GUARANTEES FOR FULFILMENT OF TERMS STRONG STATEMENT BY MARSHAL ' . ■ ■ ,FOCH. . . Paris, February 10. It is understood that the American delegates are disinclined to make further stringent armistice conditions, and consider {ho original terms a binding contract. In any case,. Germany is no longer militarily formidable. French opinion is greatly (Vstuibed. It is anticipated that a compromise will be reached, by which Germany will be required forthwith to givo guarantees for (ho complete fulfilment of the original terms, otherwise new terms will lie imposed. It is reported that the Litter will include the surrender of all the trtillery. . ,

Some censored passages in the Paris' newspapers' report of yesterday's sitting of the War Council have occasioned a rumour that Marshal Foch niade a strong statement in regard to '.lermany's attitude, which,it is undesirable shouldbe made and that he is warmly opposed to President Wilson's paciiie optimism regarding the situation. Marshal Foch cited instances where he asked the German Armistice Commission to meet him, and they utterly failedto comply, and only after strong pressure on his part did the meeting eventually take place. He desires that the new armistice terms- shall be such that it will bo practically, impossible, for a renewal of the war to occur.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUGGESTEDNEW TERMS ALL ARTILLERY TO BE SURRENDERED AND ARMY REDUCED. (Rec. February 11, 10.45 p.m.) Paris, February 10. . It is suggested that the new armistice conditions should include the handing over of -the whole of the German artillery and the compulsory' reduction of the Army to twenty-five divisions, with machine-guns, for policing Germany internally, and the occupation of the Ruhr district, including; Essen, also that the Allies should re-insist on the original conditions regarding the handing over .of transport, which was modified on Germany's plea of impossibility.—Aus.-N.Z. 'Cable Assn. . TERMS DISCUSSEDBY WAR COUNCIL THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH . VIEWPOINTS. (Rec. February 12, 1.25 a.m.) .

Paris, February 10. The Supreme War Council is still discussing the armistice terms. •It is believed that tho British view is that it is now most important to remove militarism from Europe, therefore it is essential that Germany should forthwith abandon conscription. It is hoped to secure in the renewal of the armistice something like the condition of affaire that will appear in the • peace treaty, otherwise it will be impossible to carry out demobilisation in the Allied countries. It is recognised, however, that it is not legally sound to introduce the peace terms into the armistice. ■ The American attitude is that the armistice terms should not be extended. In this view is apparent a disregard: of the fact that Germany , has not obeyed the orig.inal terms, for which some sort of penalty should be enforced in the shape of drastic demands. There are two ways of dealing with tho matter—one prescribing the .peace force which Germany should be allowed to maintain; the second prescribing how much war material Germany should hand over. In regard to the latter there is considerable doubt as to the exact quantity she possesses. The British point of view is «, reason-able-sized army for Germany, and the destruction of all material beyond what is necessary for its equipment—Aus.N.Z. Cable'Assn. VIEWS OF FRENCH MINISTERS "NO MILITARY RESURRECTION IN GERMANY." ' Paris, February 9. M. Piclion (French Minister of Foreign Affairs) stated in nn interview that he did. not believe there would be any resurrection in Germany from a military point of view. Militarism was not quite dead, and there were still large forces, but they were being watched very closely. The War Council had not yet decided to acquire further territory owing to the Germans' non-compliance with the armistice demands. lie did not think, there was any necessity to alter the. demobilisation plans.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMANY'S PURPOSE TO DESTROY. FRANCE'S ECONOMIC LIFE, Paris, February 10. M. Clemenceau (Premier of France) told, an American interviewer that while the war was .won, it was more accurate to say it was in full storm. Although Germany was beaten, Russia remained, and from Russia Germany would draw strength/ There wns a certain danger of reopening the military debate, except for tho Allies' assurance thai whenever France or other nations were attacked the whole world would rush to vindicate liberty. Germany's purpose throughout the war had been to destroy the economic life of France. This, and not frightfulness, accounted for the devastation .wrought jn the northern departments.

Germany was still able to use her factories, while one-third of those of France were useless.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT~mSON'S STAND CAUSES VEXATION TO THE FRENCH. . . (Rec. February 11, 7.30 p.m.) Paris, February 9. President Wilson persists in his extraordinary attitude towards the:new armistice terms, asserting that it is the Allies' own fault if they failed to include sterner terms regarding the. demobilisation of the Gorman forces in the.original armistice, therefore it would be unfair now to introduce new terms. President Wilson suggests that the Gentians be asked by negotiation to demoboliee their forces, in. return for raw material.. Naturally this vexes the French, who compare the attitude adopted towards Germany with the peremptory demand which the Council made to Poland to cease fighting with the Germans, and to disband the Polish forces. Observers watch wilt interest, mixed with anxiety, the apparent drift of the Council towards 'tho tense moment which seems inevitable, when the Allied dislike of President Wilson's policy will compel them to tell him. They cannot longer deal with sophistries amid such' grim realities. President Wilson frequently expresses horror at Germany, but no doubt he is trying to move steadily towards the logical phase of his policy, the reinstatement of Germany amongst the friendly Powers... This Europe will not stand.—United Service.