GERMANS AND THE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 201, 20 May 1919, Page 5

GERMANS AND THE TREATY

DECISION TO-MORROW

RANTZAU RETURNS TO BERLIN

VARIOUS MINOR MATTERS By Tfllejraph-Proßs Association-Copyright Paris, May 18. Count R-autznu has been granted a passport to visit Spr. for the purpose of meeting German financiers and other important personages from Berlin; There ia a strong impression, in Paris that B-iintzan has decided to sign tho Treaty, and it is expected that negotiations will conclude between June 5 and 10. It is reported that there have been serious disagreements among the German delegates regardin" tho signing of th« Treaty. Heate<l discussions ended in the delegates refusing to confer, and (lining separately.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. May 19, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, May 18. As May 21 is the last day allowed .for' the Germans to consider the Treaty, it is realised that Count Itantzau's visit to Spa will probably settle the question of signing or refusing to sign. It is understood that Count Rnntzau will 'meet Hen - Scheidemann, and it is generally exnected that the former will intimate his readiness to sign, at the same time indicating minor changes, which the Entente Powers may concede, though there will be no change in the main principles.— Aus.-N.is. Cable Assn. (Rec. May 19, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, May 18. The German Government has received from Paris the preamble of the German reply. •It is doubtful if a complete reply will bo ready by May 21.—Aus.N.Z. Cable .Assn ACUTE DIFFERENCES AMONG THE GERMANS ■ j (Rec. May 20, 0.10 a.m.) Paris, May 18. The "Matin" says that acute differences exist among the German delegates. Herr Bantzau is willing but his colleagues are unwilling to sign. Rantxau and his staff have gone to Spa to meet the financial experts froni Berlin. Possibly Herr Seheidemann and the plenip&tentinries will return on Monday. Tho Saar Note offers alternative compensations to France for the destruction of the mines.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[ RANTZAO GOING TO BERLIN (Eec. May 20, 0.10 a.m.) Paris, May 17. Count Eantzau and his staff are leaving for Berlin to-night. A full meeting of the German delegation decided that this step was. necessary in order to get in personal touch with the German Government. Count Eantzau expects to return In threo days.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. ; OPINIONS ON THE TREATY THE LONDON "OBSERVER" SHARPLY CRITICAL London, May 11 (delayed). The "Observer" publishes a slashing criticism of the Treaty, which i ( t describes as "peaco with a vengeance," instead of being a settlement with security. "It is a-patchwork that hints at trouble in every seam. The terms raise more dangers than they lay, and scatter dragons' teeth across Kurope. The only hope lies in strengthening the.League of Nations; otherwise the Treaty will not last five years. Tho English-speaking democracies will never mobilise again on behalf of the proposed arrangements. Tho victorious democracies had a just quarrel, and they will demand a real and sane peace. The world now suggested i« based upon militarism. After the receipt of the first thousand millions sterling nothing about the indemnities will be sure, but the vanquished race'Ls vaguely expected to keep -working for others decode after This is against human nature. Tho peace must be altered by a revisory council, or general disarmament must .-be indefinitely postponed. Tho Treaty opens up a hopeless vendetta between tho Poles and the Germans, while tho liussians, the Magyars, tho Bulgars, German-Austrians, and 1 the Jugoslavs will also have new feuds. The root of the vico of the Treaty is that it leaves the Germans no hope but revenge." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BITTER COMMENT IN GERMANY. London, May 17. After the first paralysing impression of the Treaty, Germany is giving way to anger. Tho newspapers continue to make most bitter comments. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" says: "We stand on the tomb of hope. The only question is whether it will also be the tomb of the German nation. Never was murder accomplished in a more hateful form or with more cynical equanimity." .The "Deutsche Tagesswitang" says: "We expected the alternatives of refusal and hunger or peace and bread; but tho best wo can now hope for is a. peace coupled with misery for an indefinite period, and involving world slavery,"— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . _ A WEEK OF MOURNING. Berlin, May 11 (delayed). A week of official mourninp has commenced in Germany. It is intended to demonstrate to the world that Germany, is disconsolate. Nevertheless, it is expected that the Socialist Government would sign the' Treaty if small .modifications were made to save the Government's face. i

Herr Maximilien Harden .states that the conditions are not harder than was expected. "The Government press." ho fays, "continues to use the same tricks of bluff as under the old regime, and the Government's proclamations are only bad copies of those of the Kaiser's time. Tho whole press is violently inciting the Germans against the Allies and agitating for a refusal to sign Ihe Treaty; but all must know that if the Allies 'criipy the coal districts they can force Germany to sign anything within a week. I believe Ihe Allies have made the conditions hard because they are suspicious."

The Prussian Prime Minister elates that the Peace Treaty contains no trace of justice. .It is a peace of violence from which will result further bloodshed and tears.—Ans.-iN./. Cable Assn. SUPERIOR WISDOM. (Rec. May 20, 0.10 a.m.) Paris, Mav 17. Tho "Lokal Anzeigev's" Versailles cor. respondent says that tlie Allies will not insist on the abrogation of the German treaties with Finland and the Ukraine. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DUTCH OPINION. Amsterdam, May 10 (delayed). Dutch newspapers consider the Treaty one of mi imagined severity, which Germain- cannot accept. They predict that the German delegation will withdraw from Versailles if the AlKe* reject the counlcr-proposak—Aus.-X.7i. Cable Assn. THE GUILT OF THE WAR GERMANY'S PLEA OP INNOCENCE. (Rec. May 10, 10.59 p.m.) London, May IG. ) According to Berlin messages Count Itiuit&nu's Note disputing Germany's Mile Kuiit for causing the war was dictated bv iiii: German Government, which desires that ali the charges, together with the supporting evidence, ho brought forward openly and examined fully, and Germany's defence Leard. ■ Germany would strongly support the referring of the question i'o h neutral tribunal. She is ready to produce every available document, ami is determined to bring the guilty (o justice. The Government has appointed a Commission to prepare Germany's defence.—Aus.-N.ft. Cable Assn.

AUSTRIAN TREATY READY (Eoc. May 20, 0.10 a.in.) Paris, May 17. The Austrian Treaty is practically complete. It is largely a duplicate of the German Treaty. Even a responsibility clause is included. There will be an nrrangement concerning the Emperor ICnrl. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE NEW TRIPLE ALLIANCE (Rec. May 20, 0.10 a.m.) Paris, May 17. The Americans expect that the Senate will approve the Triple Defensive En-tente.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPARATION FORMOATOUTRAGES Christiania, May 10 (delayed). The Norwegian Government has asked the Peace Conference to obtain an indemnity from Germany for Norwegian vessels sunk by submarines— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' BELGIUimffIANDS APPEAL FOB AUSTRALIAN 1 ' SUPPORT. Melbourne, May 19. The President of the Senate has received a lengthy cable messago from the Belgian Senate, appealing to the Australian Parliament to' support Belgium's legitimate and indispensable demands on the Paris Conference for tho restoration of Belgium.—Press Assn. BELGIAN TREATY REVISION. (Rec. May 20, 0.10 a.m.) Paris, May 18. The Council of Four will deal with the revision of tho Belgian Treaty of 183!) on Monday. The Council •is hopeful that it will bo able to include the Fiume settlement in the Austrian Treaty.—Aus.N.Z, Cable Assn. TRIAL OFlilX-KAISER NO DIFFICULTY EXPECTED. London, May 11 (delayed). It is learned that the Dutch Government ia prepared to surrender the exKaiser without demur when the Allies make the formal demand, and it is expected that his trial will take place in Geneva, and will be one of the first acts lof the League of Nations.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.