HITCH IN THE NEW ARMISTICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 141, 10 March 1919, Page 5

HITCH IN THE NEW ARMISTICE

NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF DISPUTE OVER SHIPS By Telegraph—Press Asßociation-Oonvrieht Amsterdam, March 7. Berlin reports state that the armistice negotiations have been broken oft', owing to the Allies claiming the surrender of the eutire German commercial fleet without guaranteeing a supply of food for Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE PARIS VERSION. ■ Paris, March 7. Germany has refused the use of her merchant ships to the Allies, but has made an offer to hand them over provided food is sent immediately. The Germans have delivered only a 77 agricultural machines instead of 31,201, due on March 1 under the armistice. The German Commissioners stato that it is impossible to supply the number specified. —Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , FURTHER PARTICULARS (Rec. March 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 7. It is an exaggeration to apeak of a rupture in the negotiations at Spa, though some of the Allied delegates have returned to receive fresh instructions. The Germans demand 2i million tons of food -before the harvest, and will not surrender their ships unless this is guaranteed. The Germans also want coal, as Silesia and Wwtphalift are yielding little. The Germans object to handing over the merchant ships on the ground that it with throw forty thousand German sailors out of work. The Allies do not consider it desirable to give a definite promise regarding the length of time before the Germans will be given food, in view of the evidence that the Germans deliberately refused to economise existing stocks in order to embarrass the Allies.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

FOOD AND MATERIAL FOR GERMANY THE BUSINESS SIDE OF LENIENCY. (Rec. March 9, 11 p.m.) Paris, Maich 8. The United States has decided to back the British position, granting food and raw material to Germany in order to enable Germany to pay her debts. France opposes the idea.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.