HUN’S COUNTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10283, 19 May 1919, Page 5

HUN’S COUNTER

TO ALLIED PEACE TERMS

AN AUTHORITATIVE OUTLINE.

3r Telega aph— Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 18.

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent gives an authoritative outline of Germany’s counter-proposals. Germany will insist on President Wilson’s Fourteen Points, and that his subsequent speech should constitute the basis of a binding international agreement. Germany's Eastern frontier should be settled by a plebiscite. it _is a luregune conclusion that the plebiscite regaining Alsace-Lorraine Mould oe ovenvb-miiingly in lavour or -trance,, but a historic vote should be taken. franco is entitled to the ciaar \ alley coal only. Germany is ready to pay the utmost reparation, but the financial pioposal in the draft Treaty is impossible unless tile army of occupation is withdrawn and economic stability re-estab-lished. The Treaty does not allow sufficient troops to maintain order, and the number should be fixed by agreement and the army become practically non-existent when circumstances permit. Germany offers to surrender the remnant of the fleet, but demands the return of a proportion of her merchantmen. , . .. The Allies’ refusal to entertain these suggestions will force Germany' to refuse to sign the Treaty. LONDON, May 16.

It is understood that the Germans have already formulated several amendments to the Peace terms, including Germany’s right to enter tho League of Nations, the abolition ot the mandatory system, and a clause affirming the freedom of the seas RANTZAU’S RESPONSIBILITY' NOTE. CLEMENCEAU’S REPLY THERETO (Received May PARIS,' May 17. M Clemenceau’s reply to Count Rantzatfs responsibility Noto points out that Germany did not protest against Mr Lansing’s Note of November sth, 1913, which formerly made Germany responsible for aggressions. M. Clemenceau also replies in advance to anv argument arising out of the change of Government in Germany. He points out that Germany knew how to make tho French Republic responsible for the Empire’s deeds, adding; “The change of Government in Russia did ■ not cause Germany to modify her behaviour towards the conquered country. RANTZAU WELL ACCEPT BASIS OF TREATY. (Received May 18, 5.5 p.m.) _ V PARIS. May 17. The “Journal de Debats” states that a member of tthe German delegation. questioned as to whether tne Treaty would be signed, replied: Count Rantzau could not behevo his eyes when ho read the text, and hesitated for twenty-four hours whether to start for Germany, He is- now studying the details, and intends to accept the basis of the Treaty. “A DICTATED PEACE.’* GERMANY’S RESTRICTED CHOICE. COPENHAGEN, May 9 (delayed). A German correspondent at Paris interviewed Herr Landsberg, one of the Peace delegates, who said that when tho choice is only between Yes and “No,” it is the quintessence ot a dictated peace. .. +h Professor Shucking stated that the obvious intention of France is » humiliate Germany; and Herr Gilbert says that the terms mean that German workers shall do forced labour for international imperialism. ‘‘WE ARB FORCED TO ACCEPT.” FULFILMENT~CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. LONDON, May 9. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent states that Herr 41ax , 1 “ 1 ' lien Harden, in an interview, said he regrets that the German Republic has failed to convince the Allies that the German attitude has changed Ibis necessitated extensive guarantees .to secure France. President Wilson s c+nnd was recognisable as saving EanS z ig becoming Polish, and extricating the Saar from the annexationists. Herr Kautskv says: “We are forced to accept the terms; but we cannot guarantee their fulfilment. lhat is impossible.” • • STATEMENT BY REVENTLOW. TERMS QUITE UNACCEPTABLE. LONDON, May 9 (delayed). The ’ “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent had an interview with Count Reventlow, Who said the Peace terms are quifco unacceptable, and contain no trace of President Wilson’s ' fourteen points. It would be politically impossible, and generally unjust to hand over the Kaiser, who may have raado a psychological mistake, but who did ; not cause the "war out of ill-will. Tho Kaiser had always wished to preserve siid Count Reventlow, was willing to accept tho responsjoilivy *auu the consequences of her refusal to sign the Peace terms. If tho Allies i ivmcd on the occupation of Germany, being without arms, food, of money they could nob resist. Tho annexation of the German sources of iron and ‘ n .U supplies would mean extensive emigration, thus increasing the burden on those remaining. DEUTSCHLAND USER ALLES. RETURN OF. GERMAN COLONIES DEMANDED. AMSTERDAM, May 9 (delayed). The People’s party at Hamburg parsed a resolution demanding tho return of the German colonics. The pnthsning sang “Deutschland uher Alles.” Tho “Hamburger Nacliriohten” states; “Our enemies want to destroy Germany, root and branch. It would bo unpardonable guilt if ivc signed such a treaty.”

SPIRIT OF DEFIANCE AND IMPUDENCE. AMERICAN PRESS ON RANTZAU’S SPEECH. Australian, and V.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, May 9. Some of the newspapers, commenting on Count Brockdorlf Rantzau’s speech at Versailles when the Peace terms were presented to the German delegates, declare that though it was subdued in, tone, the speech contained the spirit of defiance and impudence. It was pointed out that Germany’s territorial losses in Europe by the. terms of the TTea'y are less serious than they appear, because, with the exception of the Saar Valley and the Briey region, no important industrial sections are taken from the Germans. The ‘‘New York Times” says that Count Brockdorff Rantzau gave the first sign that Germany realises to some degree her guilt and responsibility for the ivar; but the world will nor te satisfied because he is. unwilling to admit that Germany was the only nation which plunged the world into war. ITALY AND THE ADRIATIC. CLAIM TO DODEOANESSUS. RELINQUISHED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 18, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, May 17. Italy has relinquished her claims to the Dodeeanessus Islands. EAST AFRICA MANDATE. ITALY’S CONTROL TRANSFERRED TO BRITAIN. ROME, May 15. Tho ‘‘ldea Nazionalc” states that during the absence of the Italian delegates, the Conference withdrew tho mandate for the control of German Bast Africa, which had been promised to Italy, and substituted a British mandate. (Received May 18, 11.45 p.m.) PARIS. May 10. As tho result of representations by the Belgian Foreign Minister to Mr Lloyd George and President Wilson, the question of tho mandate for German Easr Africa is te be reopened after consultation with Milner, tvnom Mr Lloyd Gem-go has summoned to Paris. RESUMPTION OF TRADE WITH GERMANY'. PARIS, May 15. If three of the Allies and Gee-many ratify the Peace Treaty, an immediate resumption of tra.de with Germany will take place. MANDATE FOR SMYRNA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 16. Greek forces have been landed at Smyrna. Greece has been granted a mandate to administer the city. HOME FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS (Received May~lß. 11.45 p.m.) PARIS, May 10. A, wireless message from Geneva reports a scheme for building a home for tho League of Nations. It is proposed to erect offices and residences for the delegates in a large enclosure on the outskirts of Genova, on the edge of tho lake. This will form ian international enclave. The construction of the buildings cannot be completed before 1921. Preparations are being made to improve communication with the world’s capitals, including wireless and ■ aeroplane services, and a tunnel through the Juna Mountains, shortening the journey from Geneva to Paris to six hours. THE TROUBLE OVER FIUME A NEW, SUGGESTION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, May 13. It is proposed that Itoljt and Jugoslavia, with the assistance of tho United States, shall settle tho Fiume question. The Council of Four is considering the practicability of the suggestion. AUSTRIAN PEACE DELEGATION CORDIALLY WELCOMED TO FRANCE. (Received May 19, 1 a.m.) PARIS, May i 4. The reception of the Austrian delegation at a station on the outskirts of Saint Germain was in marked contrast with that given to the Germans'. Prefect Chaliel greeted the delegation with courtesy, in accordance with French tradition. M. Renner apologised that ho was unable to reply in French, Ho said: “We come among you with pleasure. It is the, first lime I have been on French soil, and hope I will go away equally cheerful at heart.” (The entire parity, which included M. Lammarsch, his wife and daughter. M. Klein, and M. Slatin, are evidently in good spirits. All have been handsomely quartered in the Henri Quatre and adjacent villas, with a beautiful outlook over the Seine valley. TURKEY AND PEACE Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, May 15. The Turkish delegates to receive the Treaty are expected on Monday. AUSTRIAN INDEMNITY FIXED Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. , (Received May 18, 11.6 p.m.) PARIS, May 17 • Tho Treaty for presentation to Austria fixes the indemnity at £250,060,000.