THE GERMAN DANGER

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1920, Page 1

THE GERMAN DANGER

FRENCH PREMIER'S VIEW. (By Flectric Telegraph—Copyright.,' PARIS, April 16. M. Millerand /Premier, in an interview, confirmed the seriousness of the latest news from Berlin. He said he had had a visit from Lord Derby in the morning, who told him he now feared a fresh reactionary coup d’etat M. Milterand added that the German workers’ movement in tho Ruhr was not in the least Bolshevik, hut was directed solely against the revolutionary Junker troops. Thus far, no Roieheswehr troops had been withdrawn from tho Ruhr. Consequently there was no question of the French evacuating Frankfort. ALLIES DEMANDS ON GERMANS. LONDON, April 17. The German Government’s attention has been called t-o the Treaty’s requirements with reference to the surrender of guns, material and demobilisation of troops. The whole question will be. closc-ly reviewed at San Remo. It is not improbable that in event of Germany’s failure immediately to fulfil the Treaty obligations, their enforcement will be demanded by means of an ultimatum and a definite time limit will be fixed.

Proposals suggested for the enforceent of the Allied demands include a threat of withholding delivery of foodstuffs.

One of the chief difficulties arises out of the German Government’s inability to control the troops which are under the diretion of Kappist officers and of high spirited students, and they will not he, satisfied until a change of Government comes about. Tli.is is almost certain to lead to a general strike, and possibly to civil

Paris messages indicates that the AlJieis have taken collective action to demand strict execution of the disarmament clause of the Treaty.

GERMANS IN RUHR. LONDON, April 17. Lord Curzon has informed the GerGerman Charge D’Affaires in London that Germany must give evidence of her honourable intentions by immediately withdrawing some of the Re'chswehr troops from the Ruhr Valley. jEvidonee |is now available that the German troops in the neutral zone fai exceeded the four battalions mentioned in the official estimate. It is now believed that there are between thirty and forty thounsnd there, which is roughly double the number permitted, under ’ the Treaty.

BLOCKADE: AGAIN. PARIS, April 16. Mr Lloyd George has wirelessed to M. Millcraiul confirming that it is Britain’s intention to re-introducc a blockade in flic event of another Monarchist. revolution in Germany or of any German failure to evacuate Ruhr in the stipulated time.

DEMANDS ON GERMANY. PARIS, April 16. The Belgian War Minister has informed the Brussels correspondent of “Lc Journal” that a military alliance between England, France and Belgium. was absolutely necessary for the world’s peace. BERLIN, April 15. The German newspapers, commenting on M. Millerand’s speech, stated that the French allegations regarding German militaristic tendencies cannot bo accepted from a Minister like M. Millerand, whose Government is merely a tool of Marshal Focli. It is necessary to know whether the San Remo Conference will convince France that she must he permanently under tho political and moral control of hei Allies. PARIS, April 17. A new French Army Bill proposes eighteen months’ compulsory service, .which is considered (necessary owing to France’s commitments arising out of the war to maintain her future army strength at 700,000. [BERLIN, April 15. Germany failed to convince the Reparations Commission that the handing over of the mercantile vessels under the Versailles Treaty wifi paralyse her economically. The Commission insists on an innnedite compliance with the Treaty. The Government, however is making a further effort to soften the Allies.

GERMAN ACTION. (LONDON, April 17. The “Vossiiche Zclitung” states! a monarchist plot exists in Germany designed to overthrow the Government and march on France, along with Soviet Russia. BERXnTN, April 17. The majority of the Berlin newspapers print warnings of an alleged new Junker plot, at certain headquarters in Pomerania. The attittude of the Roicliswelir troops is very doubtful. Moreover there are large supplies of arms and aeroplanes on Pomeranian estates, where the owners threaten to cut off food supplies, from German towns as a means of assisting a revolt. The Government is now strengthening its military guards at the. Government Buildings in the Wilhclmstrasse and the Under den Linden. Fifteen tanks and twenty armoured cars have arrived in Berlin.

SOME CONSPIRATORS CAUGHT LONDON, April 17.

r p|ie “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent reports that General aon Jnittwitz and Mayor Bischoff (who were with Kapp as loaders of tho last militarist coup) have been arrested, and are being taken to Leipzig. With a number of other conspirators they liavo been shadowed for several days, but have managed to escape from place to place until run to earth at Horst.

FRESH COUP POSSIBLE. LONDON/ April 15. The Chancellor, Herr Mueller speaking in the national assembly at Berlin said the danger of a reactionary movement lias not been ended by the Kapp fiasco. Tlie Baltic troops were billetted in . the Eastern States, and continued to threaten the republic with a repetition of the Kapp coup. They would ho said, be fought with tho same vigour as before. - The German newspapers complain that the reactionaries are moulding .the Reichswehr troops into their monarchist purposes by eliminating the republican elements. The officers are still overwhelmingly royalist. The Socialist newspapers assert that plans for a fresh monarchial coup are weli advanced. 'Leading (conspirators are meeting at Danzig. These newspapers publish a manifesto appealing to the workers’ orgnisations to make preparations to counter the royalist move, including the formation and training of now republican guards throughout the country.

A GRAVE SITUATION. LONDON, April 17. The Australian Press Association loams the situation in Germany continues to cause anxiety. There is little doubt tho Militarist Party is only awaiting a favourable opportunity to effect a Royalist coup. BERLIN, April 16.

The “Vossiclie Zeitung” says that there is no longer any doubt about the existence of another monarchist plot in Germany. The conspirators, it says are in constant touch with communist leaders. Tho plan is to overthrow the Berlin Government and march against Franco, together with Soviet Russia. The paper adds that the situation is causing anxiety. There are fears of a fresh Junker revolt in Germany. Extensive additional bnibed wire defences are being erected in the Government quarter of the city.

The National Party have warned their members against taking part in any new insurrection.

‘‘Vjorwalerts”, tho Sbcinlist paper, states that recruiting offices havft been opened at the Berlin Zoological Gardens in connection with a threatened now insurrection.

KAPP IN SWEDEN. STOCKHOLM, April 16. Dr Kapp has arrived here, and ho was arrested, ns his passport was not in order. GERMANY’S LACK OF SHIPS. AMSTERDAM, April 16. The German Shipping Congress at .Bremen, has passed a resolution protesting against the recent surrender of all the German steamers to the Allies adding that- Germany has needed at least 700.000 tons of shipping for her economic restoration. The Government representative present announced he was forbidden to make any statement on this question. BERLIN, April 17.

T3i,e German Minister of Finance states that the funded debt of the Empire is now ninety-two thousand million marks, and the floating debt one hundred and five thousand million.

instalment of indemnity. LONDON, April 17. Twelve hundred horses, four thousand cattle, and ten thousand sheep, have arrived in France from Germany under the Peace Treaty provisions. A large number are suffering from foot and mouth disease. ICAPP REACHES SWEDEN. COPENHAGEN, April 17. Rapp’s passport was unvised find bore a false photograph. He arrived from Germany by aeroplane, and proceded to Stockholm. He met a party of engineers and proceeded to their dub, where he boasted freely over a. punch howl, in consequence of which his identity was established. His right of a n asylum is unquestionable.

SAN REMO CONFERENCE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 17. Monday’s conference is arousing the keenest interest. Paris messages state the British have drafted a stern note to Germany demanding disarmament. It will possibly take the form of an ultimatum, and he despatched after the conference. It is understood the draft will form the basis of discussions at San Remo.

Newspapers regard the fact of the British initiating the discussion as the intention to mark the end of l'rancoBritish differences regarding Ruhr. It is believed Hon W'. Churchill, after the recent conference with Marshal I'och, and General Weyy.and, drew up the document. Although the situation in Germany dominates the work of San I{cine, the Turkish treaty will he dealt with, involving an important decision. Regarding Armenia, it is authoritatively stated that whatever the Supremo Council’s reply to the League’s objections to accepting the mandate cabled on the lltli, Turkey will not retain the suzerainty of Armenia. ,*