THE ARMISTICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 127, 22 February 1919, Page 7

THE ARMISTICE

RESULT OF THE TREVES MISSION ' STATEMENT BY ERZBERGER By Telegraph-Press Asaociatioii-Qopyright , London, February 18. According to a German wireless report, Herr Erzberger, .in a speech at AVeimar, announced the ' result of • the Treves armistice mission. He described his futile ' efforts to secure an extension' of - time and the elimination of (?. certain) conditions. He said . Marshal Foch promised to intervene for; the protection of the Germans in'tho East, and also declared positively that, the measures in Poland -.were without political significance. He promised to submit a demand for the release of German prisoners to the Supreme War Council. . Herr ..Erzberger concluded: "I signed IJjc agreement oh the Government's instructions, after handing in a note of protest. The world knows that Germany does not wish for and cannot conduct » fresh .war; but though it is possible to render-us • defenceless, we must nnc be without honour." The House, adjourned, the President declaring' that t-horcnUre nation had a full apprehension of tho armistice agreement and its. 'results.— Cable Assn.

, WAR "FACTORIES TO BE UNDER ALLIED CONTROL. (Rec. February 21, 10.40 p.m.) . Paris, February 16. - It is understood that the final armistice terms which will be presented on Eebruarv 21), will include, a stipulation that all war factories,- ihcludiug lvrupp's, are to be- under Allied control—Aus.-N.Z. Cable As»n. BRITISHARiMOCCUPATION ' STRONG FORCE ESSENTIAL FOR DISARMING GERMANY. London, February 19. The Minister of War . (Mr. Winston Churchill), speaking in London, said:— "We. are recruiting a new army for. two ci'.il, three years' service, at the rate of otot a thousand a day. "it is essential, in order to disarm Germany and to secure reparation, which wo are determined to get, to maintain a ■strong: end weli-disciplined army on the ißhine." There was no intention of Bending a large British force to Russia. !li' Russia was to' lie saved, it must be iby her own exertionKeuter. UNFULFILLED NAVAL DEMANDS . SUBMARINES TAKEN TO SEA AND SUNK.' (Rec. February'-21, 10.40 p.m.)' Amsterdam, February 16./ A Kiel telegram reports that under the Allied naval demands submarines which were pot dismantled in &'specified time were taken out to sea from the Gerinaniu wharf and sunk, Tares thousand workmen at' Gerriiania wharf were dismissed owing to lack of employment.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' GERMANY'S MERCHANT FLEET TRANSFER REFUSED UNTIL FINANCIAL TREATY IS CONCLUDED. London, February 18. > A ,German wireless report announces ■that' Germany refuses' to' transfer her merchant fleet nntil a financial treaty is concluded in accordance with the understanding reached at Spa. where Germany pointed out'that the shipping.question was indissolubly bound up with finance. The message adds: "It is the solemn duty of the Gove'rndment not to placetile merchantmen under foreign control until Geim'nny's food supply, which .'is the ruling consideration vor' surrender, is assured."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

HARD ARMISTICE TERMS , ' "MIGHT BE FATAL:TO PUBLIC ORDER." i (Eec. February 22, 1.30 a.m.) I New, York, February 18. Interviewed by an American correspondent, Jlerr Erzberger said:—"lf tho Saar Valley is taken from Germany, Germany will retake it by force of arms sooner or later. If harder armistice terms are imposed it will be practically impossible for any German Government to ■ exist. It might be fatal to publio order in Germany." He 6aid that the German Army'had beon demobilised, with the exception of tho 1899 class, ;.which, with the volunteers, would be ! unable to prevent Polish invasion. "Germany has not any ulterior motive in concentrating troops on the Eastern frontier," _ Herr ' Erzberger declared. "Her aim is to" prevent the advance of the Pole 9 and the Bolsheviki." Herr Erzberger stated that when Germany was assured that her ships would be used to carry food to Germany, the ships would be released for the riseol ! ' the Allies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SIZE OF GERMANY'S ARMY THIRTY DIVISIONS FIXED BY COUNCIL. , Paris, February . 19. The Council lias iixed upon thirty divisions, with armament, as the size of the army which Germany shall be allowed to maintain, Marshal Foclr's report indicated' that • von Hindenburg is able to put sixty divisions in the field, with ample guns. Indeed, Germany to-day seems to possess nearly twenty-five thousand machineguns. The peace preliminaries will also include a demand that German soldiers ehall not be allowed to enter a ' fixed area along the Western frontier. Thus France will have a sort of no-man's land aIKfI.YS between the German hordes and ( herself.—Reuter. '