HERR RANTZAU AT VERSAILLES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10276, 10 May 1919, Page 7

HERR RANTZAU AT VERSAILLES

AN INSOLENT.. DELIVERANCE.- s

Australian and N-.Z. -Cable Association. ..PARIS-,.-May'Si'-*' Tlie attitude of Count Brockdorff Rantzau (German Foreign Minister, and loader of the Peace delegation) at Versailles is the subject of universal comment. Some onlookers itss studied insolence, and all sharply

criticise the manner and tone ®f hi* speech, pointing out that it was an attempt to pose as if he were on terms of equality with the representatives of victorious Powers, rather than a delegate ‘at'3.'t’ahqbislled Power. “Count .’Kaiilzau inif bn Targe hornrimmed ‘ spectacles before reading hi* speech, which occupied fifty minutes in its deliverance. The speech must be regarded as tho expression of Germany's considered policy regarding the Conference. ' ‘ vo -J-I-I ,

'When he commenced to speak Count Kantzau was obviously labouring under excitement, and was highly . nervous. - -His manner was m remarkable contrast with that of M. Clemenceau, who spoke with brevity and decision, that was exactly mdicaiive of, the attitude’ of the victorious Allies,. though he was’careful to point out that the Allies intended,to.,treaf; ,thp German delegates With "all ’the courtesy that civilised communities owed to each other. A ts M. Clemenceau addressed the gathering standing, everyone expected Count" Eantzau to ( follow his example, but he remained seated throughout hie speedy and its interpretation.. -_- Th» Vpbecir became more truculent as it con. tinned, particularly in the passage.denouncing the Allies’ blockade, and accusing the Allies of sharing the guilt •of *war'with Germany. •.vV-V’, - A -noteworthy passage in Kantzau 7 * speech was his declaration thatwGerr many’s former rulers were responsible for .the German share in the war.' but that all Europe shared .the responsibility^Wears' asked.” he'said,: “to confess'that we alone were guilty of ’the war. Such a confession in ray mouth would be a lie. For fifty years European Imperialism has poisoned the international atmosphere.*’ A LONG and arhogant speech. LONDON. May 8. '•The '.“Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent states: Count Rantzau’s speech -was long, arrogant, and aggressive. It was much longer and more pontehtious and provocative than was expected. The Count looked haggard, and his harangue cannot exactly be described as_ viplent and defiant. Allowances 'must be made. As the Germans left the hall I was struck by their pale and pinched appearance.’ .

PUBLICATION OF TREATY IN GERMANY.

PARIS, May 7,

An v aeroplane carried the Peace Treaty terms to. Cologne, where they were printed in the German papers under British orders, and thousands of copies were sent into the heart of Germany. ’SEEBraNG OF THE “BIG THREE.” " {Received May 9. 9.3 p.m.) "■ “ PARIS, May (?. The. ‘.‘Big Three” met at Versailles after ' the ceremony of handing the Treaty to the Germans to considerHerr Ran tan’s, truculent speech. PUBLIC OPINION ON TERMS ■ - BRITISH TRESS' CRITICISM. _ LONDON, May 9. _ Although it-is too early for a' final expression of public opinion on the ■Peace -terms, the London newspapers are generally favourable to the'terms, blit point out the necessity of seeing the- actual text.

The “Daily Chronicle” says that the Polish settlement is incomplete, and may lead to new disputes in the next generation. The financial settlement is the least satisfactory feature of the Treaty, but the brute fact is that Ger-many-is "incapable of making . complete ,rep&rp4ion, Tr .The 'Dally 'Express” does- not- /discuss, details, but says: “It is a . good and a great Peace, with just reparation and ample security.” ' '-The ’“Daily Mail” saysi “The military and- naval, terms, are good and drastic, >4)Ut have dangerous loopholes. On the. financial side,-the complete, terms may show that excessive consideration has been shown to Germany. Tho mertantile terms do not go far to meet the British claims.' 1 The per fears that the, full terms will be ygry,. short of the Premier's promises. I The,. “Morning Post*' says: “On the ; Wholey'tSe Treaty is better than we expected-,' but -it must "be- enforced by a working -alliance -of- the' principal Allies. Prussia will accept the Treaty under duress. A policy of kindness to Germany is a policy of cruelty to the .Allies., -The conditions regarding the .indemnity are- unsatisfactory, and do not bear, out the great promises made before the election. The Danzig settlement, is unexpectedly satisfactory. It is again a free port under Polish influence.”

..The. “Daily Nows” says: “The reparation terns cannot, and should not, stapd,;: as it would be hard to make Gernjany perform them. We are trying to have it both ways, stripping Germany-naked, and then demanding that she 'Shall empty her pockets.” ... Thp /‘Daily Telegraph” entirely approves of what it terms a “stern, stringent, and just Peace.” COMMENT IiLSEWHERE. By Telccraph—Press / Mociation—Copyrishi , SYDNEY, May 9.

' The:’morning papers comment fn--vdurably on* *tho’ Peace terms. ’ They regard the reparation clauses as the outstanding feature. •

BELGIUM DISSATISFIED ’ ■" A CRY OF “DOWN WITH WILSON 1” Auafralian and N.Z. Cable Associatioj., BRUSSELS. May 8. “Under the presidency of King Albert, the Cabinet discussed Belgium’s .positiontwith respect to the Peace terms. 1 The Premier, in an interview, said that tho situation was serious and painful. . Tho offer made from Paris ; was completely at variance with tho earlier, promises. It is- understood that 'the Belgian representatives consider the offer of 100,0011.i'-j sterling as greatly inadequate. Members of Parliament, of local councils, and of public bodies urge the King and the Gov"ernment not to sign the Treaty, President Wilson is unpopular, and aniienoes ..in picture theatres “Down ..with Wilson I’ 1 when his photograph, was shown. SHIPPING AND THE TREATY . TON-FORTON PRINCIPLE . DESIRED. * Australian and N.Z, 0-W“ , - LONDON, May 8. Ono pf tho principal points in the Treaty provocative of comment in London, 'and' specially noted in '“The Times,” relates to enemy shipping, Tha Treaty recognises the principle of ton-for-tou. All merchant ships above 1600 tons, and half those between 1600 and 1000 ,ton» are to be given Up, and Genjpany is alee to build JOO,OOO ton| ' : a

year for five years for the Allies. If America takes nil llio Gorman ships, including the great liners, in American I iirbuur.s, tho war will have the effect of enormously diminishing tho mer- ( mint ships ci the other Allies, particularly England. The American losses would bo made good nearly twice over. FREE USE OF SCHELDT DEMAND BYTHi BELGIANS. Australian and >;.>l, Table -Association. • BRUSSELS. May 4 (delayed). Public and semi-public bodies demand that the Treaty of Peace shall not be signed unless the free use of the Scheldt is guaranteed. Greece and Italy TROUBLE OVE.II DODECANESE ISLANDS.

V;3trallan and N.Z. fable Association LONDON, May 8. Belated messages from Athens to tho “Daily Chronicle’’ state that the Greek churches throughout tho Dodecanese islands proclaimed that the union of tho Islands with Greece defies the Pact of London, which allotted them to Italy. The Italian authorities severely repressed pro-Greek demonstrations, and numbers of snngninaiy conflicts occurred. Carabineers bayoneted a priest in Ehoues on the steps of a church. TERM i FOR AUSTRIA-HUNGARY DELEGATES INVITED TO PARIS. PARIS, May 7. Tho Austro-Hungarian delegates have been invited to St. Germains, near Paris, to receive tho peace terms, about May 12th. MANDATORY FOR~ARMENIA WASHINGTON. May 8. It is anticipated that the United States vdll become the Mandatory Power for Armenia.