PEACE RATIFIED

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1920, Page 2

PEACE RATIFIED

SIGNING OF PEACE. GERMAN DELEGATE SPEAKS. <By Electric Telegraph—Copj ighfc.) PARIS, Jan. 13. Herr Von Lorsner, Interviewed, said he hoped the Entente would keep Germany to work, and would cheerfully fulfil their obligations, because their economic prosperity, and especially that of France, depended upon Germany’s economic recovery.

He urged the Allies not to insist on a literal extradition of those sought as war criminals, because such action would have the gravest consequences, not merely in Germany, but as they affected the peace of Europe. THE RATIFICATION PROCEDURE. PARIS, Jan. 12.

Peace was ratified in the Salon De Horloge, a small room in which tlio Lea gue of Nations was born. The ceremony tpok place punctually at four o’clock OP Saturday and the proceedings were brief, formal and private

The protocol was read, and then the seals of the Allied and German delegates were affixed. M. Clemenecau afterwards handed to the German delegates a letter confirming the verbal assurance given before in reference to the German dock material.

No descriptive details of the signing are available, but it is understood that the Allied delegates after signing shook bands with the German delegates. Arrangemeptg fpr a renewal of diplomatic relations wjll begin immediately. About a dozen commissions Fill inlmediately be established to supervise the carrying out of tire Treaty, which by the protocol, Germany promises to execute in its entirety.

No outside witness attended, and this was the first occasion of note when the American Ambassador has been absent. Although America will not participate in the first meeting it is President Wilson’s duty to summon the League of Nations next week.

It is pointed out that one of the first obligations of Germany is to hand over those accused of war crimes the number of whom is uncertain. Some reports say 750 and others' three hundred. A revised British list numbers a hundred and includes the ex-Kaiser, many commanders of submarines, the judges who sentenced''Captain Fryatt, and the commandapfs of several prison camps. The French list include the Crqwn Prince and tlip General who authorised the outrages at Louvain, Dipant and Aershot.

LEAGUE TO MEET, (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 13. Mr Wilson signs a call for a meeting of the League of Nations on Friday.

german sorrow. (Received, this day at 9.30 a.m.) BERLIN, January 11

'Pile exchange of ratifications produced a marked depression in Germany. The “Tageblatt” says it is Germany’s duty to use all peaceful means ,to secure an alteration of flic terms of the Treaty. Pan-German newspapers also make strong comment.

SURRY "GERMANS(Received this day at 0.2 Q a.m.) BERLIN, January 11. The consensus of German newspaper opinion is that the territorial, economic and military conditions imposed on Germany arc extremely severe. Warm greetings arc extended to those Germans excluded from the Empire. They are told that they may rest assured that there exists a possibility of their return. The “‘Tagdblatt adds The Treaty lacks inherent permanence. The quicker Germany recovers her moral strength, the quicker will she obtain opportunities for a modification of the Versailles Treaty of force.”