REPLY TO GERMAN NOTE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 209, 29 May 1919, Page 5

REPLY TO GERMAN NOTE

I ! —"' ~ M. CLEMENCEAU RECALLS UNPLEASANT FACTS ', _____ " RANTZAU'S REQUESTS DECLINED i ~~ WAR ORIGINS IGNORED By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rcc. May 28, 8 p.m.) Paris, May 23. Replying to Count Rantzau'e Note regarding economic questions, M. Clemonceau says: "The Note ignores the origins and results of the war. The Allies, are only- asking Germany to hand over four million tons of shipping, whereas Germany'has sunk twelve millions during tho war." M. Clemeuceau admits that important wheat and potato areas were taken from Germany, but these areas would remain tree to export to Germany. , ■ Replying to complaints about lives being lost owing to the blockade, M. Clemonceau reminds the Germans that greater losses of lives "were tause'd by their ruthless aggressions. The reply concludes: "Nothing can prevent Germany regaining a position of prosperity in Europe. Her territories suffered less during- the war than those of the other belligerents. Germany . possesses resources intact which, together with importations, should suffice to reconstitute her. Moreover, the great reduction in armaments will mean huge economy. The German?' sufferings arise not from the conditions of peace, but from acts of those who provoked and prolonged the war, the authors of which will not bo able to escape its just consequences."— Reuter.

(BEQUEST FOR REPATRIATION OF PRISONERS CLEMENCEAU FIRMLY DECLINES. (Rec. May 28, 8 p.m.) Paris, May 20. M. Clemenceau, in reply to the German Note asking for the repatriation of the prisoners, eays that the Allies cannot release those guilty of crimes. .He is not aware that any alleviation in their position is possible, since their treatment always observed tho laws, of hur, inanity. The Allies will -restore their personal property when the prisoners are repatriated." He agrees to the'appointment of a Mixed Commission when peace is signed, but eays he must refuse complete reciprocity in the return of prisoners in view of the treatment received by the Allies interned in Germany during the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. IF THE GERMANS WON'T SIGN' ALLIES PREPARED FOR ALL EMERGENCIES London, May 16 (delayed). Lord Cnrzon, in a speech before the Primrose.League, said that in the event of Germany's refusal to sign the Treaty the Allies were prepared for every emergency. No substantial modification of the Treaty would be /permitted. ''Our terms are in such contrast to Germany's proposed terms if she had been victorious that they recalled Lord- Clive's phrase: 'I standaghastat our own moderation.' " —Aus.-N.Z. CflWe Assn.

Paris, May 16 (delayed). In view of possible eventualities, British cavalry units aro proceeding to the Rhine area.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, May 16 (delayed). A Berlin newspaper predicts that the Government will arrango a people's referendum for the acceptance or refusal of the Treaty in the event of tho Allies refusing'.concessions.—Aufj.-N-.Z. • Cablo Assn. GERMAN PLANSIbi RESISTANCE PERSISTENT RUMOURS INVESTIGATED. New York, May 1C (delayed). The Berlin' corespondent of the New York "Times" inquired at tho War Min-' istry regarding the persistent rumours that the military authorities have planned resistance against ,the Allies if the Peace Treaty is rejected. The biliciab denied the correctness of tho rumours, and also declared that there is no truth in the reports that German ficientists nre devising means of infecting a possible invading army with the germs of 'a fatal disease.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn. THE TREATY AGITATION IN GERMANY PROLONGED DISCUSSIONS AT BERLIN. Berlin, May 16 (delayed). Prolonged Government discussions are in progress, propounding counter-propos-als, based on President Wilson's Fourteen Points. Peeling against the Entente is so strong that British and American officers have been ordered to wear mufti lest they incite tho populace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn. , (Rec. May 28, 10.15 p.m.) ' Paris, May 27. An insistent minority in Germany favours the sjgnaturo of the Peaco Treaty. The .Gorman Government's encouragement of popular agitation against the signature embarrasses their freedom of action. Some correspondents poiiit out that the Government will yield only after an actual further invasion. The general consensus of opinion is that the military machine is in ruins.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable lssn. DEMONSTRATION AT AMERICAN MISSION. Amsterdam, May 16 (delayed). Crowds made a demonstration outside tho headquarters of the American Mission at Hamburg. The sptakers. fiercely protested against the disastrous peace terms. An officer attached to the Mission consented to forward the demands to President Wilson. A'wireless message from Berlin states that tho Provincial Council of East Prussia has appealed to President Wilson against brutal plundering,.and requests negotiations with tho German delegates at Versailles.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. THE SAAR VALLEY. Paris, May ,16 (delayed). It is authoritatively understood that tho German counter-proposal regarding the Saar Valley agrees to tho surrender of the coalmines, but insists on the retention of political jurisdiction.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. IN THE FAR EAST NEW SPHERES OP INFLUENCE (Rec. May 28, 8 p.m.) Paris, May 20. Progress information regarding tho Chinese agreement shows that the new divisions nnd spheres of influence in the Far East will bo as follow:— British sphere of influence:—Thibet, .Szu-Chuan, and West Siam. French sphere:—East Siam, Yun-Nan, Kwei-Chau, West Kuanzmuuz. Japanese sphere :—Shantung, Manchuria, and Mongolia. The agreement will open tho Yangteo to the British, French, and Japanese on equal terms. The price of Japan's rooognition of Kolchak will bo Russia's withdrawal from tho Russian spheres in Manchuria and Mongolia. Tho Chinese desire to sign the Treaty with reservations respecting the Japanese clauses.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPAN ANJTaMEMCA NO CONFLICT OF INTERESTS. New York, May 1C (delayed). The Washington correspondent of the New York "Times", interviewed Baron Ishii, who reviewed Japan's dealings with China in reference to ICiaochau. fto pointed out that Japan had /good will towards China, and said that by tho Treaty of 11)15 China had recovered hor entire territorial sovereignty over Kinochau, and by the "Accord" of 1918

China had acquired the right to participate in tho administration of (he formor German railway from Kiaocluui to Tainan, He added: "There is no conflict of interests between Japan and tho United States."—Aus.-JS T .K. Cable Assn, DUTCH AND BELGIAN CLAIMS. (Eec. May 28, S p.m.) Paris, May 20. Tlie Council of Foiia- conlinued the discussion of tho Dutch and Belgian claims. It is understood that the Dutch will admit that the revision of the Treaty would allow them to use (li.e mouths of the Scheldt and tho Moifee without concessions of sovereignty.- -Aus.N.Z. Cable Asn. THE ADStSn TREATY AND THE ADRIATIC QUESTION. Paris, Mny 1G (delayed). It is probable that the Austrian Treaty will bo presented on Wednesday. The latest date- for the signing of tho Ger-man-Austrian and Hungarian Treaties is June 5. A solution of tho Adriatic question will not , be required in the Treaty. It will suffice if Austria renounces her claim to the liberated territories. A British proposal is afoot that Turkish and Bulgarian representatives should not be invited to St. Cloud, but should meet the Allies in Salonika.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SARCASTIC COMMENT IN ITALY. Rome, May 1C (delayed). Sarcastic comments are appearing in the newspapers regarding the friendly treatment of tho Austrian delegates. "II Tempo" declares that tho delegates have actually been informed that they will be treated better than the Germans, but that they must not say bo.—Ans.-N.Z! Cable Assn. OCCUPATION OF SMYRNA Copenhagen, May 1C (delayed). Allied troops have occupied Smyrna, on behalf of the Greeks, who are on the way. There is great enthusiasm at Athens—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. invitation~to"bulgaria DENIED. (Rec. May 28, 8 p.m.) Paris, May 20. It is semi-offlcially denied that an invitation was sent to the Bulgarian pleni potentiarie?.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LEAGUE OF NATIONS' INAUGURAL MEETING London, May 27. It is expected that Mr. Lloyd George will visit tlie United States ill October, to attend the opening of the Leagu.9 of Nations.—Aus.-NIZ. Cable Assn. RELIGIOUS RIGHTsInTHE NEW STATES Washington, May 27. It is understood that safeguards against religious discrimination in the new States in Europo have been agreed to by, tho Council of -Four.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. _________ f