GERMANY WITHIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1919, Page 4

GERMANY WITHIN.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

GERMAN POLICY.

London, April 20

The Daily Telegraph’s Geneva correspondent learns reliably that the German Government is determined to continue the policy of bluff and intimidation.

A former Entente diplomat from Berlin, where he interviewed leading statesmen, is of opinion that the German delegates will either refuse to sign or the Government resign in consequence of the Military Party’s pressure. Either course would indefinitely postpone peace.

The indemnities cause the most alarm.

Schieffer has resigned because he refused to consider the acceptance of the terms Schieffer told an informant that the Entente was powerless to force the Germans by military or economic measures into financial slavery. “ Therefore,” he added, “we do not see why we should sign away our wealth and liberty for the next twenty or thirty years.” It appears that the Berlin Cabinet is divided on the- question of the acceptance of the terms. The younger Ministers urge refusal of the terms, accompanied by an ironical invitation to the Allies to occupy Germany. They argue that occupation is impossible and that the Allies dare not continue the blockade, fearing the spread of Bolshevism. They also calculate that the Allied Socialists will support Germany’s passive resistance.

On the other hand, Rantzan, Berustorff and Dejnberg advocate obtaining all possible concessions by bluff and then accepting and trusting that future developments will enable modification or avoidance of the fulfilment of the obligations.

CLAIMS AGAINST ENTENTE

London, April 19

The “Frankfort Gazette” state s that the German delegates are formu~ lating claims agaiust the Entente for compensation for the air raids and for expenses incurred owing to the delays in 1 lie conclusion of peace and the prolongation of the blockade. - Berlin, April 19

, Count Rantzan interviewed by the “Nui Erie LTesse,” deprecated the suggestion that Germany should take advantage of the Entente dissensions.

The interviewer remarked that the dissensions at the Peace Conference must he very serious. Count Runtzau rejoined: So you are bent on making me play the role of a Talleyrand at the preliminary Peace Conference, but things are very different from a hundred years ago. To-day tlie people themselves take an active part in directing the course of history. That gives a completely different background to the peace negotiations. It would, moreover, be foolish to attempt to play off one of onv enemies against the others.-There are relations so close that such an

attempt would soon be disclosed. He thought it would be worthier of a nation of 70,000,000 to convince all her enemies openly aud straightforwardly of the justice for which she was striving, rather than by descending to paltry intrigues, and fill witli fresh explosives the political atmosphere. which was still poisoned with the effects of the Avar propaganda. He added : Germany and the whole Avorld has received such severe wounds in the past four years that all are iuterested that the healing process should work smoothly.