Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 16th., 1919. THE TREATY RATIFIED.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 16th., 1919. THE TREATY RATIFIED.

Having once committed itself to the signing of the Peace Treaty, the German National Assembly undismayed by the threats of revolution has proceeded to complete the following step by its ratification of the Treaty. It is hard to see what else either the German Governmefut or Parliament, or people could have done. But it is not the less welcome to know that yet another impediment to the peace of •the world has been definitely met, and answered in the only possible way, consistent with the honour of the Allies and the safety of the world. There are those outside of Germany as well as in, and (to their dishonour be it said) within the bounds of tho British Km pile, as well, who were and are more than, willing to regard Germany as an equal and an honourable foe, and as far as they dare actively to manifest their sympathy for and with her. Happily for themselves and for Germany, their pernicious activities have failed of their purpose. Their influence upon the intelligent workers of the world, has proved, as sober men everywhere believed it would, as negligible in quality. Herr Sclieidemann, before bis fall, and the German President (Herr Ebert) at all times have affected to believe that there was a large and ever increasing growth of sympathy for Germany and her people in tile hard lot of which they were the innocent victims. The old autocratic Germany of which the Allies complained was dead and a new Germany had taken its place. It is to this new Germany that the attention to the world was invited, and the confident belief expressed that wor kers everywhere would eagerly welcome its citizens as comrades and brothers. So ran that now gospel which, said Herr Ebert to an American Press in-

•terviewer, “is already expectantly catching the first voices from the rani of the French and English working men and pins its hope upon these harbingers of a now and better world.” But the President had his doubts. He was not confident how far or to what extent he and his colleagues could relj upon the voices of those, who in America and England claimed to speak for Democracy. Apparently they had no better standing than those of, say, New Zealand or New South Wales. Jn which event the outlook for them, equally with Germany, is dark, and their future as hopeless ns it is dishonored. “If,” said Herr Ebert, “American Democracy actually accepts the present peace terms, it becomes the accomplice and abetter of political blackmailers and surrenders the traditional American principle of fair play and sportsmanship.” Less than two months ago all Germany was in a towering passion when tlic Allies terms became known, and protest and denunciation and threats foil thick, and fast. The entire Hamburg Press, it was reported were at one in declaring that tho “monstrous” demands of (lie Entente would mean an absolutely throttling peace for Germany, and indignantly declared against the acceptance of the terms. And so said they all, save hero and there where tho voice of reason could be heard. “Germany could bare cxnected all these demands.” said the Socialist ‘Frcihrif’: “hut it could not expect that tho Entente statesmen would pass over the responsibility For the world war and the numberless crimes of the German conduct of the war, with indifference. From tho standpoint of an Imperialistic policy of violence,—as, for in stun co, that pursued j

by Germany at Brcst-Litovsk—the Entente’s peace must even be termed quite moderate.” And the voice of reason lias finally prevailed; or, rather, the logic of tiie situation has proved too strong for those who confined themselves to shouting , and execrating. The German Assembly has ratified the second Versailles Peace Treaty. Whether it' will yet further loyally honor that ratification time alone will make plain.