GERMANY & PEACE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 119, 13 February 1919, Page 5

GERMANY & PEACE

GOVERNMENT PREPARED TO THROW COUNTRY INTO CHAOS

TO PREVENT ALLIES TERMS BEING ENFORCED v:

By Telegraph-Press Association~Oopyrljhi • Paris, February 11. A Woiiiiar telegram states that the German Government shows a fixed intention to resist harsh peaco terms, by declining to carry on the government, and throwing the country into chaos, which will prevent the Allies enforcing' '.'their terms—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

' London, February-11. The Weimar . correspondent; iof the United Press states that officials of the German Government 'intimate that Ger- . many will refuse to sign a-treaty if the , peace terms are harsh, and will surrender the Government.to the Spartacusians, in order to produce chaotic conditions, so that the Allies would be unable to collect indemnities.—Aus.-N;Z; .Cable Assn. ■ (Eec. February 13, 1.20 a.m.) • New York, February 11. Herr Erzerberger, speaking at Turin, said: "If the new conditions••• of the armistice arc too. severe-.we will not sign., and thus remain . in. .a,..state of neither peace nor' war';"—Ueuter.

ALLIES WILL DEMAND DECISIVE

GUARANTEES. New York, February 10. The Paris correspondent of the New York "Evening Telegram" states that France considers that Herr Ebert's threat

that Germany .will not conclude peace if ' the terms are too hard.is a serious mat- ' ter. Decisive guarantees will.be.demanded from Germany in order to assure acquiescence in the Allied terms—Aue> N.Z. Cable Assn.

ARMISTICE TERMS HARDENED TO CURB GERMANY'S GROWING INSOLENCE. London, February 10. Official.—There is a strong impression that the armistice terms hare been hardened to curb the wowing insolence. of Germany, whose military strength is still possibly dangerous, and is now the subject of special consideration. In the meantime the Allied commanders are taking prudent precautions along the Rhine. Many authorities believe that the armistice was signed;a month too soon.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Ree. February 12, 9.30 p.m.) Paris, February 11. The. armistice, terms will be ready tomorrow or Thursday at the latest, and will be sent to the Germans on Monday morning. Sub-committees have Ween appointed to) .report-on suggested alterations to the terms. They consist of two delegates from each Power, comprising one civilian and one military expert. All the Commanders-in-Cliief will confer, to-day.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SHORTENING OF ARMISTICE PERIODS PROPOSED. (Rec. February 13, I.2ft a.m.) Paris, February 11. The Supreme Council.is considering the shortening of the armistice periods to ten' days, at the end of which new terms will be imposed on Germany. This will allow the Allies to'meet constantly and change the conditions:—Renter.

SUGGESTED NEW CONDITIONS TO PREVENT" FURTHER EVASIONS(Rec. February 13, 2.5 a.m.).' Paris, February 11. There is a growing the new armistice conditions should; be so framed as to bring about what may lie termed a military peace. The British do not regard seriously the legality of importing something into the armistice which should belong to the Peace Treaty. Their anxiety is to get something done. Another view is held that the chief end of the armistice is to humiliate the Germans and make them feel that they are down. • .-<.-.'. , ~- - ■

The British arc not ---interested in humiliating the enemy for humiliation's "sake. It is understood, however, that attention will be called to the particular instances in which; the Germans' hava evaded tho terms' already laid down, notably tho failure to return .the securities stolen from French arid Belgian banks in the occupied- towns. Other delays are occurring iii carrying out the naval terms. The Council is now discussing these evasions. Tho Germans slackened after the first deliveries, and then somo difficulty arose.in getting some material together," coupled with/perhaps somb slackening on our part," leading the Germans to think that they-.need not hurry, or might quietly evade the task.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '." "

THREAT OF NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY STATEMENT BY GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER, Copenhagen, February 10. The German Minister .of Finance, at Weimar, hinted that Germany was threatened with national bankruptcy. Everybody would possibly be compelled to hand over their whole income"cxcept the smallest allowances.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assd. ' ,

EBERT ELECTED PRESIDENT 0- ; SCHEIDEMANNTO BE CHANCELLOR ] (Rec. February 13, 1.20 a.m.) I London,: February 12. ! Herr Ebcrt has been elected President ! of Germany, and Herr "Scheideinann; to ' be Chancellor.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.

SPARTACUSIAN OUTBREAK IN BERLIN Zurich, February 10. Spartacusian sailors and soldiers under Eichhorn on Saturday night, occupied the Alexander Platz in Berlin—Aus.-N.Z* Cable Assn. """ ■—■-... (Rec. February 12, 10.25, p.m.) . London, February 11. A German wireless message states thattlw outbreak at Berlin on Saturday was only partly Spartaci6t in character. It originated in an attempt to clear the thoroughfares where' trafficking in Army property, which was mostly stolen, had become a nuisance. It was also- intended to-raid coining mints.' Unexpectedly strong resistance compelled the troops to summon reinforcements; with .which order was restored in the evening.. —Renter.

GOVERNMENT TROOPS ENTER BREMEN. (Rec. February 12, 10.25 p.m.) Copenhagen, February 11. Government troops entered Bremen without resistance. A mine-sweeping flotilla entered Bremenhaven and arrested eighty, including the leader of the Soviet—Reuter.

COUNTERING OUTBREAKS WITH STRIKES. . (Rec. February 12, 10.25 ij.ni.) Copenhagen, February.ll. A message from Cologne states - that the professional classes at Elberfeld nnd Barmen have agreed to strike if either town is threatened" with an outbreak of Spartacism.—Reuter.

MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED AT •! KIEL. ; Copenhagen, February 10. j Martial law has been proclaimed a« Kiel owing to Spartacus disorders—Aus.j '. N.Z. Cablo Assn.. . . <

HOSTILITIES WITH THE POLES ; CESSATION ORDERED BY THE ENTENTE. - j Copenhagen, February 10. : A message from Berlin states that the ' Entente has ordered the cessation of the ~ ) hostilities between Germany, and. Poland. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . ;

BREST-LITOVSK RECAPTURED BY THE POLES.' -v '■' , (Rec. February 13, 1.20 a.m.)., ■; ■ New York, February 11. ,'i The Poles have recaptured ■ Sxteb i! Ljtoiek.-Reutej;, '...' ~ . j