ALLIES’ DECLARATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1920, Page 3

ALLIES’ DECLARATION.

STRAIGHT TALK TO GERMANY. (Imperial iS'ews Serving. SAN REMO, April 27. J The following is tile text of the Anglo i French declaration .-—The Altlfes have , examined a letter from Goeppert, dated 26th April, presenting a request from i the German ministry of war to tile effect that Germany desires to maintain an army of 200 thousand instead of 109 thousand, declaring this is necessary for the maintenance of order. The Allies wish to state that a proposal of this nature cannot even be examined, as long as Germany fails in thp most important obligations of the Treaty and docs not proceed with disarmament. Germany is not living up to her engagements, either to the destruction of war material, reduction of her effectives or provision of coal, nor in regard tp reparations or cost, of the army of occupation. She lias given neither satisfaction nor apologies Tor assaults, to wind; on several occasions members of till,' Allied Missions have been subjected, or taken steps towards ascertaining liabili | tics for repatriation, urgent as a settlement is, in the interests df-all concern- | ed. She does not appear even to be considering how to meet her obligations as. and when they mature. Thp Allies do not ignore the difficulties the German Government is faced with, and do not intend to insist on too literal an interpretation of the Treaty, but are iinanimosii in declaring tlipy caiinot permit ■: continuity qf these infractions. The Treaty must be executed and remain the basis of relations between Germany and tho Allies. They are determined to take all measures, even if occupation is necessary of further German territory, which would liqve the effect of ensuring the execution of the Treaty. Ou thp otiipr hand it is not their intention to anne.x any portion of German territory. At thp same time, the A 1 lies consider the questions raised by in fractions of the Treaty and measure necessary to ensure execution will be more easily solved by an exchange of views between the heads of the Govern ments than bv an exchange of notes Therefore they invite the heads of the German Government to confer directly with tho Allied Governments. If a satisfactory settlement is reached, the Allied Governments are willing to discuss any question affecting internal order aw] economic well-being «f Gt-r----may. But Germany must understand the unity of the Allies for the execution of tho Treaty is as solid as it was for the war, and that flip only method by which Germany can regain her place in tho world is to loyally exec ute the engagements to which she had subscribed.