MORE THAN PEACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10277, 12 May 1919, Page 5

MORE THAN PEACE

TREATY FIRST STEP TOWARDS WORLD CONSTITUTION. United Sarvico Telegram. • (Received May 11, 11.10 p.m.) PARIS, -May fc. A" iJritisb authoritative statement sxpressea great satisfaction with the Treaty, which is the sternest in modirn "history, yet contains notninj; vindictive. It is more than peace; it is the first step towards the world constitution. PROTESTS THROUGHOUT GERMANY. ■ - (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) .-.,. -.COPENHAGEN, May 10. The German newspapers state that Rantzau's first, note in reply declares that the Peace terms do not accord [ jrith President Wilson's fourteen noints, uid adds that the delegates desire to negotiate with President Wilson direct. A campaign has been opened in Germany denouncing the terms. Thousands Of mass meetings have been arranged to protest. "A DOCUMENT OF : HATRED." : "THE BEATS SENTENCE OF GERMANY." Vustralian and X.Z. Cable Association. • (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, May 9. After the Cabinet had discussed the Treaty for five hours, Herr Schiedemann addressed the parliamentary committees appointed to consider the Treaty. He said: "The. terms are the death senr tence of Germany. Wo must discuss this document of hatred and madness with f.'.The Government had instructed the'Paris delegation to submit a Note to the AlUes •Domting" out jth» difference between the Treaty and ,'wuson's fourteen points: also, to submit detailed counter proposals and attempt to start an oral discussion." , '

Herr Fehlenbacher, speaking on behalf of. the leaders of all parties, said Herr Schiedemann rightly declared the t-erms unacceptable. Discussions with Allies and d°lesration" at Paris would fvussibly--result acceptable to she German people."

PUBLIC MOURNING IN GERMANY.

(Received May 11. 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, May 9. The Government has decided on public mourning throughout the next week owing to the Peace terms. The theatres are to be closed. The Government is inundated with protests, especially from. Eastern Germany, demanding alterations to the,, terms of Germany's ,ote to • the Allies,. an ,j, f ur ther, to insist on the release of German prisoners, with the 'idea of joining Russia in strengthening the Russo-German frontier, which is partially open, and a great exchange of commodities is proceeding. Two thousand residents of Berlin addressed a letter to President Wilson asking him t ? afford the ex-Kaiser protection. It is expected that the German Government will refuse his extradition. r -;/.» •--*".-

EBERT DENOUNCES THE PEACE TEEMS.

' (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) _ ■ LONDON, May 10. tion ? n1 fi rt i 133 issned a Proclamation violent y denouncing the Peace terms as utterly impracticable. Thev were intended to destroy Germany, reduce her to slavery, and sow the seed of future enmities, spelling the doom ° f j; y m League professing to secure a world .peace Egbert urges the public to support the Government, which, by counter-proposals, is determined to secure the victory of right. Germany's reply to the Peace terms will be a de-mand-for a Peace of right as the only basn for the lasting peace of tho nation}.

"AN INSOLENT SPEECH."

CALLING FOR STRONG ACTION

(Received. May 11/5.5 p.m ) -. . . . PARIS, May 8. me impression among the British delegates was that Rantzau's speech waa insolent, and called for strong action. All are' surprised at its tone. President "Wilson also B aid the speech proved that the Germans were the most tactless people on the face of the •arth. ' They misunderstand human nature. Rantzau's speech was on a parity with their action thioughout the war. They always did the wrong thing. GERMAN STUPIDITY.

United Serrlco Telegram. (Received May It, 5.5 p.m ) PARIS, May 8. "What a stupid speech," remarked President Wilson when Rantzau had finished.

Mr Lloyd George said the speech re presented German stupidity.

"DEFIANT, SANCTIMONIOUS, AND TRUCULENT."

(Received May 11, 5.5'p.m.) LONDON, May 8. The. "Daily Mail" describes Herr Rantzau as an incarnation combining a defiant, sanctimonious, and trucu-

lent spirit of the Junker. His speech showed that Germany was wholly unrepentant and blatantly unconscious of tho horor.in which.Arte.is. held among civilised peoples. BRITISH DELEGATES INDIGNANT. United Serrice TolOEram. (Received May 11-, 3.5 p.m.) « PARIS, May 8. The insolence and rudeness of the Germans is strongly condemned by the Allied delegates generally. Rantzau's speech is regarded as a studied insult to the British delegates, including Mr Lloyd George and Mr Bomvr Law, who admit they are surprised. Anger flashed through them, but they now agree that M. Clemenceau was wise in refraining from ordering Herr Rantzau to stand while speaking, as a physical reason prevented the German from standing. It he felt unwell, said a leading delegate, his words did nm show it. Anyhow, he should have asked permission to : remain seated. MR MASSEY'S OPINION. (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 8. Mr Massey deolared that the Germans' attitude was one of brazen effrontery. He expected them to display independence, and perhaps defiance. Judging Germany by her action there was no sign of regeneration in the spirit of tho people of Germany. On the contrary, he apprehended serious trouble from them Defore the terms were finally agreed upon. He believed, however, the Allies would stand by the tenns in every important particular. (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 10. Herr Rantzau is contemplating an early return to Germany to confer with the Government.

SOHIEDEMANN CANNOT SIGN TERMS.

United Service Telegram. {Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) ,""... -'I ,-, PARIS, May 8.

The French Foreign Office believes that identical terms, except for minor technical alterations, will be signed in two or three weeks. Travellers irofn Germany declare that Herr Schledemann cannot sign, the terms. He prefers that the Allies should occupy Gerniauy. Most of the delegates ate reconciled to several weeks' . negotiations. . . .

BERLIN/S^U^NED, BY. TERMS.

LONDON, May 9.

' The Berlin correspondent of tho "Daily Chronicle" states that the Peace terms stunned Berlin. Business is at a standstill, and the Bourse lias oeen closed tor tnree days. Jlessages from Paris say that the dc'.egaies are despondent. Yon Ludendorff refused to grant an interview to the "Daily Chronicle," but sent a message, saying: "If these are me i'eaco ternis/'; America can go to hell!' 1 "V --•'•' :- *'■-'

Cabinet is to meet to-day, and a pronouncement is expected to-morrow. LONDON, May S>. German newspapers protest that the terms are impossiolc, especially in regard to indemnity. They also protest against the veiled annexation of the Saar Valley,' and the loss of the colonies, and say that Germany must reject the proposal lor tlie disposition of Danzig. ; ~ - - .

OPINIONS'oF* GERMAN DELK- . GATES.

LONDON, May i). German correspondents at Versailles transmit the opinions of the delegates.

- Herr Geisbert says he can oniy sign a Treaty which permits of the rebuilding of economic life. The occupation of important raw material-produ6ing districts wOuld be tantamount to a [slow and painjul;death, and it would be better to' "fe'turh" ompty-handed than I with a signed Treaty containing terms! which Germany would be compelled to leave unfulfilled. Germany would simply collapse under the proposed indemnity. Count Melchior states: We cannot consider a slavery that will bind j German workers to the French Government.

Another delegate said: Since the Armistice, strikes and. revolutions have lost) us more money than the whole war. jAVe could have borne the indemnity if lit had been demanded in November, although it would-'-.have been a heavy 'load; but it is now impossible. It is announced that the delegates will make counter-proposals, which are the utmost Germany can agree to. [ A GERMAN" THREAT. ! 'COPENHAGEN, 3lay 9. Giesbert, interviewed, said: "Our | only course is to arrange a peace with Russia, and to invite Russian troops into Germany." ' SCHTJCKING ON LEAGUE Ob \ NATIONS. (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.^ PARIS, Hay S. H<.rr Schucking addressed the German delegation on the league of Nations, and demanded that all t/ie signatories to the Hague Convention Dhould be members also. Tho Pope, ho said, opposed Geneva as tho capital, preferring The Hague. He criticised the system of mandatories as disgulsea annexation, and regretted that the question of the freedom of the seas waa not dealt with. He proposed that there should be an international maritime police. He also considered the power of the Press should not be left uncontrolled, because of its power to provoke war. PEACE AND THE LUSITANIA. (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 8. It is noteworthy that the Treaty wa* handed over on the anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania. CZECHOSLOVAKS AND POLES APPROVE TREATY. (Received May 11, 5.5 p.m.) I PARIS, May H. Tho Czecho-Slovaks and Poles heartily acclaim the Treaty as real liberation

ITALY EXCLUDED FROM MAN. DATE.

ACUTE DISCONTENT ENUKNDERED.

(Received May. 11, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, May JJ. Italy's exclusion from the mandates is causing ncute discontent. ii j» pointed .out That Italy adhered to P*s:dent Wilson's mandatory theory trom an. narly stage of the negotiations, renouncing in exchange certain compensations under the Pact of London. She demanded a mandate over German East Africa, which was practically grunteM. The Council of Three withdrew it on Mof.day, when the Italians were absent

i Correspondents at Pans state tnat - tho Allies' attitude on tho Adriatic f question indicates that it will he ex- ; trercely hard for Italy to secure any , compensation in Africa. A LIVE^TOCK~CLAUSE. uonupossv ajo.-ori 'Z'JC P" B ntsjltuisnY (Received May 11. 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 9. j One clause in the Treaty provides j that 500 stallions, 30,000 fillies, 1000 i bulls, CO.OOO cows, and 100,000 rams, t sheep, and goats shall be handed over - by Uermany to France-, also a great > | number to Belgium. ;

CHINESE DELEGATES NOT TO SIGN TREATY.

PARIS, May 9. The Chinese delegates have received instructions not to sign tho Treaty of Peace.

INDEMNITY FOR AUSTRALIA

MELBOURNE, May 11. Mr W. A. Watt, Acting-Federal Premier, states that Australia will receive £40,000,000 as her share of the indemnity. RACIAL EQUALITY. JAPAN IRRITATED AT REJECTION OF <HER PROPOSAL. LONDON, May 8. The Tokio correspondent of the. "Daily Express" reports that there is much indignation at the rejection of the racial equality amendment from the League of Nations' Covenant. At a meeting of Opposition members, a popular politician said: "If wo had sided with Germany, Mr Hughes, instead of insulting Japan, would be now studying the moon trom a German internment camp." Another leading Japanese asked: "Why don't the Anglo-Saxons declare for a White World, inste'ad of merely a White Australia, and warn the rest of us off the earth ?" - GERMANS OBJECT~TO INDEMNITIES. PARIS, May 9. The Germans intend to object to any indemnities, except for damage caused in France and Belgium. DENUNCIATION OF "PEACE CONFERENCE. Australian and N.Z. Gablo Association. ROME. May 5. Gabriele D'Annunzio,.-the Italian poet, addressed a crowd of many thousands, and violently denounced" President Wilson and the Peace Conference. A motion was carried warning the Allies not to open Peace negotiations with Germany i while Italy «»-as absent, which would would constitute n violation of the ! Treaty. D'Annunzio was afterwards carried triumphantly to his hotel amidst a procession of many thousands.

LABOUR'S DISSATISFACTION

VIOLATION OF PRINCIPLE ALLEGED.

NO PROVISION FOR GENERAL LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS.

Australian and 7!.7,. fink l * /onociatlon. LONDON, May 9.

I The British Labour Executive has is. ;sued a manifesto in which it is stated that in. some essentials the'Treaty is opposed to the declarations of President Wilson, the Inter-Allied Conference, and the Berne Conference. The Treaty is, defective from tho standpoint of the world's peace and bears evidence of a compromise influenced by capitalism and Imperialism. The Labour Party declines .to accept responsibility for the violations of principle, for the reasons that organised Labour was not represented at the Conference, and ~ .that the general spirit-, i...'of- ,-ithe, - document is contrary to the working class conception of a peace of right and justice. Labour therefore looks to the people, and tho forces of organised democracy, to safeguard and develop the idea of a peaceable community of all nations. Germany ought to make reparation, but, she should be_ represented on the Reparation Commission. The amount of compensation demanded from her should have regard, to her ability to meet the needs of her own population. The Executive regrets that while imposing on Germany drastic disarmament, the Treaty does not provide for tho progressive limitation of armaments for the other signatories. It protests against any attempt at the permanent separation of the Saar Valley from Germany, and hopes that'France will agreed to consult the people ■of Alsace-Lor-raine under tho League of Nations, in accordance with the principle of selfdetermination. The people of GermanAustria should have tho free and unrestricted right to decide themselves whether they should become one of the German Federal States, or remain independent. PEACE TERMS FOR AUSTRIA NAVY TO BE WIPED OUT. PARIS, May 9. The Austrian Peace terms provide for the wiping out of her navy. AUSTRIAN DELEGATION ARRIVES AT SAINT GERMAIN. i Received May 11, 11.10 p.m.) I PARIS. May 8. ! The Austrian Peaca delegates have arrived at Saint Germain, headed by Doctor Klein, the German-Austrian [ lawyer.