WAR GUILT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1929, Page 6

WAR GUILT

GERMANY’S DENIAL. ON TENTH PEACE ANNIVERSARY (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.; BERLIN, June 27. President Von Hindenlnirg and the members of the German Cabinet signed the following manifesto to tlie German nation 011 the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Versailles Treaty:— ‘‘Jo-day is a dav of mourning. Ten. years have passed since 'the German negotiators were compelled to sign a document bitterly disappointing to all the friends of justice and of genuine peace. The lersailles Treaty weighed heavily on all sections of our nation—upon our intellectual and our economic life, upon the labours of our workmen and of our peasants. Intense work and whole hearted unity have been necessary to prevent that I reaty’s clfccts threatening the existence of our Fatherland. Germany signed the Treaty without acknowledging war guilt; and wte now repudiate the charge that Germany was solely responsible for the war. in the firm trust that true peace, based upon the unanimous conviction of free and equal nations, will prevail in future.” KAISER’S RETURN RENDERED POSSIBLE. 1!Y GOVERNMENT DEFEAT IN REICHSTAG. BERLIN, June 27. Turbulcn'b sdliies followed on the voting in the Reichstag which resulted..in the Bill for -up prolonging of a law for the protection of the Republic failing to secure* the third rending by the necessary two-thirds majority. This normally would mean that ihe present law will expire on tho 23rd. of July after which the* ex-Kaiser can return to Germany, and the Government will lie unable to issue any order prohibiting it. During the exciting scene, however, Herr Severing, the AU-

Interior, announced that the Government was ready to apply Paragraph 48 of the Constitution, which would mean a temporary dictatorship, vesting the legislative and executive power in the President and the Minister of Defence, and excluding the Reichstag. The Nationalists greeted the result of the voting with frantic applause. The Fascists and Communists also cheered.

The Socialists demonstrated against the result, hissing’loudly:

The adverse vote is l due to a sudden decision by the Economic Party to mark its dissatisfaction at I the defeat of a Land Reform Bill in which they were specially interested by voting against the Government. During a heated altercation, ' Herr limit (Leader, of UlO Economic* Party) and Ticrr Brcitscheid (the, Socialist Leader) nearly came to blows.

The Reichstag adjourned for ail interval to allow the members to cool down. Upon the resumption, Herr Severing immediately announced the intention of the Government to introduce a new-Bill, which would afford ainpie protection to the Republic. In the meantime, h * said, the power of the State would be employed to protect the,'Republic. Tlie Minister’s voice was drowned in the turmoil.