GERMANY'S ARMY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 127, 23 February 1920, Page 7

GERMANY'S ARMY

REDUCTION OF STRENGTH

SUPREME COUNCIL GRANTS EXTENSION OF TIME By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright London, February 18. Mr. Llovd George, as President of the Supreme Council, to-day wrote to Herr Sthamer. German Charge d'Affaires in London, stating that ho had received intimation from the President of the Commission of Control in Berlin, pointing out the difficulty with which the German Government would bo confronted if the Allies insisted on the reduction of Germany's military strength under tho Peace Treaty to a hundred thousand by March 81. Tho date was fixed in tho belief that the Treaty would operate much earlier. Tho Supreme Council has decided to permit a. reduction to two hundred thousand by April 10, and to a hundred thousand by July 10—Router. QUESTION DISCUSSED IN PARIS MILITARY POWER BEING RECONSTITUTED. (Rec. February 22, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 18. The Foreicn Affairs Commission discussed the disarmament of Germany, and disclosed the fact that Germany is not comnlyinir with the Treaty requirements of a maximum of a hundred thousand troops by April 1. The total of the old armv and the Reichswehr is now 430,000. Although the military Power in its original form was destroyed, it was being reconstituted by immenso police forces, despite the apparent diminution in regular troops.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONSPIRACY TO DECEIVE ALLIES ESCAPING FULFILMENT OF PEACE TERMS. (Rec. February 22, 5.5 p.m.) Now York, February 20. The New York "Times" Paris correspondent interviewed General Niessel, who made a. report for France concerning tho military situation of Germany. General Niessel said: "There is a vast conspiracy afloat in Germany to deceive tho Allies, and escape the fulfilment of the peaco terms, especially in regard to the military clauses. Herr Nosko absolutely refuses to submit these clauses. The Treaty provides that Germany shall havo a military force of only a hundred thousand men. but she has a reichswehr of nearly four hundred thousand men, also a hundred thousand composed of former officers, and fully armed with field artillery. There are also organisations of demobilised special officers and athletic culture societies of various kinds. Germany would have no difficulty in putting several million men, in the field in a short time._ Germany is also cnmouflagins ammunition factories, and has amassed huge stores of shells."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TREATY MUST BE ALTERED HERR NOSKE'S VIEWS. (Rec. February 22, 11.5 p.m.) Berlin, February 19. Herr Noske, speaking at Bremen, said in Tegard to possible modifications of the Treaty, they must not expect England or France to do anything from love of Germany, but practical difficulties in carrying out the Treaty must produco alterations. Herr Nosko hopes for complete reorganisation of the army by April I.—Aus.-N.Z.- Cable Aesn.