PEACE MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10281, 16 May 1919, Page 5

PEACE MATTERS

FINAL DECLARATION MAY NOT BE TILL AUGUST. By Telesraph—Prest .Association— Oonyrishl Editor's Tolestram. (Received May 15, 8.30 p.m.) OTTAWA. May 13. Sir R. L. Borden. Canadian Premier, has cabled that the formal declaration of Peace may not be made till August. It is expected that there will be an Imperial Conference following the Peace Conference. Meantime Sir R. L. Borden may make a flying visit to Ottawa, to explain the Peace Treaty as it affects Canada. A "PEACE OF VIOLENCE." VIGOROUS DEMONSTRATION IN UERMAN ASSEMBLY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. - (Received May 15, 10.4 b p.m.; ! AMSTERDAM, May 14. The sitting of the German National Assembly ended with a vigorous de-mbns-tration against the so-called, •peace of violence." Hundreds of public meetings have been auanged to take place throughout Germany, at which members of Parliament will explain the Treaty to their constituents. A PRACtTcAiTpEACE "WITH RUSSIA. GERMANY'S POSITION STRENGTHENED. (Received May 16, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. The "Daily Chronicle's" Berlin correspondent reports that the whole Press is enthusiastic over the National Assembly's practical unanimity. No doubt the withdrawal of German troops from Russia had an important bearing on the situation. Rantzau was formerly opposed to the evacuation, but changed his attitude after seeing the terms. The withdrawal means practically peace with Russia, and will enable Lenin to concentrate against Koumania and Hungary, and liberate Hindenburg's 80,000 troops and enormously strengthen the German determination to resist the Peace terms. Protests are pouring in _ from all parts and workers . are rallying under the crv of '"Slavery!" 'The- Government's position is greatly strengthened. CLOSE BLOCKADE TOME SET UP. IF GERMANY REFUSES TO SIGN TREATY. (Received May 16, 1.5 a.m.) PARIS, May 15. It is announced -that arrangements have been completed for' the renewal of a close blockade in the event of Germany refusing to sign the Treaty. Meanwhile temporary relaxations have been made. GERMAN PLENIPOTENTIARIES RETURN HOME. (Received My 15, 8.30 p.m.) PARIS, May 13. The German a plenipotentiaries. .-Herr. jLandsberg.-'H'err Geisbert aridrConnciU jlor Cuno departed for Germany last night. Herr Rantzau declares that the "Allegemeine Zeitung's" rumours of his leaving Versailles are pure invention. CONGRATULATIONS TO LLOYD GEOUGE. CONFIDENCE IN GERMAN DECISION. ■..■'■ LONDON, May 8. ; Mr Lloyd George'has received shoals of telegrams of congratulations on the : Peace terms from all parts of the Empire. The "Pall Mall Gazette" states that Mr Lloyd George awaits the German decision with the utmost confidence. He regards the Peace terms with deep personal satisfaction; particularly tho inclusion of the trial or the ex-Kaiser, the indemnities clauses, and the reduction of the Gorman army to a small volunteer force, for which he; had to fight against stubborn opposition and many insidious attacks.

BRITISH PRESS CRITICISM,

INADEQUATE INDEMNITY.

LONDON, May 8,

Tho "Daily Graphic" says that the x five thousand millions indemnity which has beea provisionally fixed is utterly inadequate. The fbtal indemnity should be definitely fixed. Tho "Manchester Guardian" complains, that tho indemnity clauses aro indefinite. The Treaty contemplates payments extending over thirty years, with an Allied occupation of German territory for fifteen years, but such a period -would exhaust British patience, and it would bo better to fix a sum which Germany has reasonable hope of paying within a shorter period. CALM RECEPTION IN UNITED STATES. TERMS CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY. NEW YORK, May 8 (delayed). The publication of the terms of tho Peace Treaty was received quietly, and ■without demonstration. Wall street showed little change, but tho upward movement of stocks, which had boon noticeable for a few days, continued. The general opinion in official circles in Washington is that the terms of tho Treaty are thoroughly satisfactory. The Washington correspondent of tho "New York Times" interviewed a financial expert, -who gavo ■ it as his opinion that Germany is no longer an important factor in the world's trade, and it would be at least ten years before Germany would become a real competitor in the world's commerce. The stringency of the provisions regarding the restoration of the Allies Shipping would be a tremendous factor in retarding Germany's commereial development. The newspapers comment on tho irony of fate by which the Peace terms wero handed to Germany on the anniversary of tho sinking of tho Lusitania. Tho newspapers also express satisfaction with clauses providing for the punishment of the Kaiser and the German war leadors. The "Now York Leader" says: Ihe •vorld has been made safe against tho German peril by the terms of peace That is the all-important part of the instrument." _ ~,, „™ The "New York World" snys: "The terms are the most drastic ever imposed on any great nation, let tho terms aro moderate., compared with tho terms Germany would have imposed on Franco if sho had been the victor."

WHAT WASHINGTON THINKS

WASHINGTON, May 8 (delayed). Opinion is veering in the direction that the United States will endorse the Treaty with Germany as other nations are doing, and so reap the immediate benefit of trade relations, -while the United States if it refuses will be left behind. Whether the Senate ratifies the Treaty or not, Congress will be able by the passage of a joint resolution, to declare the war with Germany ended, leaving the Treaty and issues of settlement until later. President Wilson's message to Congress will be cabled, as the President will be unable to return in time. REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION TO TREATY. (Received May 15, 7.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 8. Senator Borah. Republican, is vigorously opposed to the Anglo-American Treaty. American participation in European affairs, he declares, ought to be determined as individual cases arise. General Republican comment is reserved. CAPTURED ENEMY PROPERTY. QUESTION OF COMPENSATION BY ALLIES. Australian and N.Z. Onbls Association. LONDON, May 14. The Foreign Ministers in Paris are considering how the private property of enemy subjects in the captured territories can bo compensated for. The Allies may compensate • the German owners and include the amount in the bill against Germany. GERMAN NOTES OF PROTEST. Australian and N.Z. On hie Association. LONDON, May 13. Count Rantzau Jias presented a fifth Note to M. Clemenceau. protesting against the decisions regarding the German colonies. (Received May 15, 10.45 p.m.) PARIS, May 15. Herr Rantzau presented three Notes repudiating Germany's responsibility to repay Allied war losses, and disputing guilt for the war. Rantzau admits responsibility for compensating certain damage in the war zone, but opposes the Saar Valley proposals. He recognises Franco's right to compensation for the destruction of French mines. He asks for oral negotiations, and makes a minute examination of the economic effect of the Treaty, and protests particularly against the territorial clauses. PARIS, May .14. The Council of Four debated the Austrian Treaty and considered the German Notes. SPECIAL ALLIED COMMITTEE. TO CONSIDER PROTESTS. • ■ ~PARIS. May 14. ■ The German Notes protesting that the economic clauses in the Treaty will mean ruin to Germany, and objecting to the transfer of the Saar Valley to France and Malmedy to Belgium, have been referred'to a special Allied Committee.

SOCIALISTS' DENUNCIATION LEAGUE OF GOVERNMENTS IN-

STEAD OF PEOPLES.

Australian and X.Z. W>!n A«soclpMon. PARIS. May 13.

The committee of the International Socialist Conference, in a manifesto, Welcomes the League of Nations', but regrets that it is a League of Governments and officials instead of peoples. Germany and Russia ought to be admitted to original membership. _Tho committee criticises the corridor dividing Prussia and deplores the disposition of the Saar Valley, which savours of annexation and exploitation by capitalists. The committee also denounces' the colonial clauses, the Shantung settlement, and the open recognition of the principle of the right of conquest.

GERMANY SEES A CLOSED HORIZON.

COPENHAGEN, May 8.

The newspapers are enthusiastic in declaring that had it not been. for the victory of the Entente Powers, Denmark would never again have received Northern Sehleswig. Tho "I'oflitiken" says: "Tho Treaty is so paralysing: that the Germans see before,them a closed horizon." The ''National Tidende* says: "It is In the interests of tho Allies that tho present German Government shall bo able to weather the storm which will undoubtedly nris*>. Therefore the delegates will probably secure concessions." TOCH GOES TO THE RHINE. PARIS, May 14. Marshal Foch has gone to the Rhine. PREPARATIONS TO MEET CONTINGENCIES. (Received May 15, 10.45 p.m.) PARIS, May 14. Mnrshal iFoch returned to Headquarters, where activo preparations are in progess to meet any contingencies. THE AUSTRIAN DELEGATION. VIENNA, May 8. Difficulties' aro arising in regard to tho representation of Austria at Versailles. Tho Socialists demand that the leader of the delegation shall ,not bo an advocate of the union of Austria and Germany. COLD'BUT CORRECT RECEPTION. (Received Mav 15, 10.45 p.m.) PARIS, May 14. The Austrian delegates have arrived. They met with a cold but correct reception. PARIS. May 14. The Allies have refused Count Rahtzau's request to attend the reception to the Austrian Peace delegates. SERIOUS DISTURBANCES IN CHINA. AS RESULT OF PEACE DECISIONS. Australian and N\Z. Oabl» Association. (Received Mav 1.5, 7.5 p.m.) ' NEW YORK, May 8. Serious disturbances have occurred in China in consequence of the Peace Conference decisions. A Japanesa boycott is pending.