CRITICS OF THE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 198, 16 May 1919, Page 7

CRITICS OF THE TREATY

« HOW IT WAS RECEIVED GERMAN PROTEST CAMPAIGN AUSTRIAN DELEGATES ARRIVE By Telesrapli—Prees Association-Copyright London, May 8. Mr. Lloyd George has received shoals of telegrams of congratulations on the Peace terms from all parts of the -Empire. The "Pall Mall Gazette" states that Mr. Lloyd George awaits the German decision with the utmost confidence. Ho regards the Peace terms with deep personal satisfaction; particularly the inclu-l-sion of the trial of the ex-Kaiser, the indemnities 'clauses, and. the reduction of the German Army to a. small volunteer force, for which he had to fight against stubborn opposition, and many insidious attacks. * The "Daily graphic" says that the five thousand millions indemnity which has been provisionally fixed is utterly inadequate. ' Tho total indemnity should he definitely fixed. The "Manchester Guardian" complainsthat the indemnity clauses are indefinite.' The Treaty contemplates payments extending over thirty years, with an Allied occupation of German territory for fifteen years, but such a period would exhaust British patience, and it would bo better to fix a sum which Germany has. reasonable hope of paying within a shorter period.—Aus.-N.is. Cable Assn. HOW THE TREATY WAS RECEIVED IN AMERICA VARIOUS OPINIONS. New York, May 8 (delayed). The publication of the terms of the Peace Treaty was received quietly,, and without demonstration. Wall Street showed little change, but the upward' movement of stocks, which had been noticeable for fi few days, continued. The general opinion in official circles in Washington is that the terms of the Treaty are thoroughly -satisfactory. The. Washington correspondent of the New York "Times" interviewed a financial expert, who gave it as his opinion that Germany is no longer an important factor iTi the world's trade, and it would be at least ten years before Germany will become a real competitor in the world's commerce. The stringency of the provisions regarding the. restoration of the Allies' shipping would.be a tremendous factor in retarding Germany's commercial development. • The newspapers comment on the irony of fate by which the peace terms were handed to Germany on the anniversary of the sinking of' the Lusitnnia. The newspapers also express satisfaction with clauses providing for the punishment of the Kai'ssr and the German war leaders. The "New York Leader" says:—"The world has been made safe against the German peril by the terms of peace. Thai; is the all-important part of tho instrument." The New York "World" says:—"Tho terms are s the most drastic ever imposed on any great nation. Yet the terms are moderate, compared with the terms Germanv would have imposed on France if she had been tho victor."—Aus.-N.Z. ■ Cable Assn. ■ Washington, May 8 (delayed). Opinion is veering in the direction that the United State 3 will endorse the Treaty with Germany as other nations are doing, and so reap the immediate benefit of trade -relations, while the Unjted States if it refuses will be left behind, Whether the Senate ratifies the Treaty or not, Congress will be ablo by the passage of a joint resolution, to declare the war with Germany ended, leaving the Treaty and issues of settlement .until later. President Wilson's, Message to Congress will be cabled, as the President will be unable to return in lime.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Asfji. DANISH OPINION. Copenhagen, May S. ■ The newspapers are enthusiastic in deolarinK that ban it not been for the victory of the Entente . Powers, Denmark would never again have received Northern Schleswig. The "Politiken" says:— "The Treaty is so paralysing that .the Germans see before them a closed horizon." The "National Tidende" says:—"lt is in the interests of the Allies that the present German Government shall be a,ble to weather the storm which will undoubtedly arise. Therefore the delegates will probably secure corcessions."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' , A FIFTH GERMAN NOTE London, May 8. Count Kantzau has presented a fifth Note, to M. Clemenceau, protesting against the decisions regarding the German colonies. The German Notes protesting that the economic clauses in the Treaty will mean ruin to Germany, and objecting to the transfer of'tho Saar Valley to France and Malmedy to Belgium, have been referred to a special Allied Committee.— Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SO-CALLED "PEACE OF VIOLENCE" ! PUBLIC MEETINGS IN GERMANS/ (Rec. May 15, 10.45 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 11. The (sitting of the German National Assembly ended with a vigorous demonstration ,agninst tho so-called "peawj of violence." Hundreds of public meetings Imyo been arJ|ingcd throughout Germany,- ut which members of Parliament will explain the Treaty to their constitu-ents.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. May 10, 10.15 p.m.) ParTs, May V>. Connt Rnntzau lias presented three Notes repudiating Germany's,' responsibility to repay the Allied war losses, and disputing Germany's guilt for the war. Kantzau admits responsibility for compensating certain damage in the war zone., but oppoßOS the Saar proposals. He recognises France's right to compensation (or the destruction of the French mines, and asks for oral negotiations. He makes ci minute examination of the economic effect of the Treaty and protests particularly against the territorial clauses.— Ausl-N.Z. Cable Assn. THREE OF THE DELEGATES LEAVE FOII GERMANY. £Rec. May 15, 8.30 p.m.) Paris, May 13. The German plenipotentiaries Landsberg and Uoiebert and .Councillor Cunu departed for Germany Inst night. Count Uanlzau declares that the "Allgemeinc Zeitung's" rumours of his leaving Versailles- are pure' inventions.—Au9.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNITED IN ADVEBSITY, j (Rec. May IG, 1.5 a.m.) London, May 15. The "Daily Chronicle's" Berlin correspondent reports that the whole of the Press is enthusiastic over tho National Assembly's practical unanimity. No doubt the withdrawal of German troops from Russia had an important bearing on the situation. Count Rantzau formerly was opposed to evacuation, but changed his attitudo after seeing the peace tonus. The withdrawal means practienlly peace with'lliissin, will enable Lenin to concentruto ugaiust Rumania and Hungary, and liberate Ilimtanbiirg'd eighty thousand troops and enormously strengthen tho German determination to resist tho peace terms. Protests' are pouring in from all parts. The workers are rallying under the cry of Wnvnry, and tho Governments position has hwn greatly strengthened.—Aus.-N Z. Cable Assn. a damocletW weapon NAVAL BLOCKADE MAY BE AGAIN" CLOSED IN. (Rec May iG, 1.5 a.m.) Paris, May 15. It Is announced that urraugoments have been completed- for the renewal of

«a closo blockade in the event 'of Germany refusing to sign the Treaty. Meamvhilo temporary relaxations have been made.— Aus.-N,Z. Cable .Assn. . -MARSHAL FOCH. Paris, May 11. Marshal T'oeh has gone llvthe Rhine.— Aus.-N.it. Cable Assn. i(Rec. May 15/10.15 p.m.) Paris, May M. Marshal Foch has returned to Headquarters, where I'ctiyo preparations are in progress to most any contingencies,— Aus.-JM. Cable Assn. ' AUSTRIAN DELEGATION ARRIVES Paris, May 14. . The Austrian Peace delegates have arrived at St. Germain.—Aus.-N./j. Cable Assn. The Allies have refused Count Rantssan's request to attend tlie' reception to the Austrian Peace delegates.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' Vienna, May 8. Difficulties arose in regard to" the representation of; Austria at Versailles. The Socialists demand that the leader of the delegation should not be an advocate of the union of Austria and Germany.— Ahs.-j\.7i. Cable Assn. \ (Rec. May 15, 111.45 p.m.), Paris, May 15. The Austrian delegates met with a cold, correct reception.-'-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRIAN TREATY DEBATED. Paris, May 11. The Council of Four debated the A us-' trian Treaty and considered the German Notes.—Aus.-N.Z Cable Assn. ■ , . THE NAVAL TERMS DISPOSAL OF MERCHANT SHIPPING London, May 8. Britain is 'attempting to secure" the disposal of German mercantile ' tonnage on; a basis relative to her losses in.the war. The Ujiited States, however, '.is attempting to retain .ill the merchantmen seized in American ports. Admiral Sir Reginald Hall etates that the naval terms in the Treaty are satisfactory, but any arrangement which does not allocate German merchant .ships among the Allies according to tbnnnge losses is unjust.Sir Arthur Fell says:—"Eight thousand British ships were sunk, and we ought to be given the ships seized in American ports to make up our losses." —Aus'.-N.Z. Cable Aesn. ' ■.. ENEMY PRIVATE PROPERTY IN LOST TERRITORY. ' London, May 14. The Foreign Ministers in Paris are considering how the, private property of enemy subjects in 'Hu rajjtured torrid lories can be compensated, for. The Allies may compensate 'he German owners and. include the amount in the bill against Germany;—Aus.-N-.7i. Cable Assn. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS ■ ' SOCIALIST CRITICISM. Paris, May 13. 'flip committee of the International Socialist Conference, in a manifesto, welcomes the League of Nations, but regrets Hint it is a League of Governments and officials. instead of peoples. Germany and Russia ought to be admitted to original-membership. The committee criticises the corridor'dividing .Prussia and deplores the') dkpositon of the Saar Valley, which savours of annexation and exploitation by capitalists. Tlie committee also denounces the colonial •clauses, the Shantung settlement, and. the open recognition of Hie principle of the right. of conquest.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , v FORMAL DECLARATION NOT TILL AUGUST (Eec. May 13, 8.45 p.m.) Ottawa,' May 13. Sir Robert Borden. has cabled that the formal declaration of peace may not be made till August. It is expected that there will be an Imperial Coraerenee following the Peace-.Conference.. In the meantime Sir Robert Borden may make a flying visit to Ottawa to explain the Peace Treaty as it affects 'Canada.—Reuter. \ THE NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE AMERICAN REPUBLICAN COMMENT. (Eec. May 15, 5.5 p.m.) . Washington, May 8 (delayed). Senator Borah, Republican, 16 .vigorously opposed to the Anglo-Franco-Amo-rican Treaty. American participation in European affairs, he says, ought to be determined as individual case 3 arise. Genoral Republican comment is. reserved.— Aus.-N.7i. Cable Assn. SERIOUS DISTURBANCES IN CHINA. / (Rec. May 15, 5.5 p.m.) New York, May 8 (delayed). Serious disturbances have broken < out in China , in consequence of die Peace Conference decisions. A Japanese boycott is pending. Cable communication' with' the United Stares is partiafly interrupted, —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn..