NOT TO ESCAPE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10289, 26 May 1919, Page 5

NOT TO ESCAPE

GERMANY'S LIABILITY

POINTED REJOINDER TO RECENT

NOTE.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

(Received May 25, 5.5 p.m.) „ PARIS, May t'3.

The Allies' reply to the German Note states that Germany must recognise that in the present state of tho world, which she was mainly instrumental in creating, she cannot escape unscathed. The Allies have apportioned Germany's share not in accordance with her desserts, but solely with regard to her ability to bear it.

ENEMY GOVERNMENT'S AWK-

WARD - FIX

(Received May 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 14 (delayed)

The "Daily News" Berlin correspondent states that as a spontaneous demonstration of popular indignation the, National Assembly meeting prqved quite effective. There was great cheering when Herr Scheitlemann declared that they would "take away that murder plot." Nevertheless the situation is serious. If the Government signs the Treaty it will be overthrown by the militarists. On the other hand-a refusal to sign would result in their overthrow through the Communists instigating a general strike. Either event will mean internal chaos.

Prompt concessions international administration to Danzig and over the corridor and conceding a plebiscite to Upper Silesia might secure the signature.

DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST AMERICANS.

(Received May 26, 1.10 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 14. According to the United Press Paris correspondent a crowd of fifteen thou, sand Majority Socialists gathered "> front of the Hotel Adlon in Berlin, where the Americans, are staying, and shouted "Down with the Americans! Down with Wilson!" The tumult grew to such proportions that tho military were called out and dispersed the crowd, wno then gathered in front of tho Reichstag building, where Richard Fischer delivered a speeoh. He said Germany would not sign peace.. The demonstrators returned to tho front of the Adlon Hotel, jeering, hooting and shouting, "Americans are robbers." Demonstrations against the Peace terms continued in other parts of tho city.

TO FACILITATE PEACE.

(Received May 25, 5.5 p.m.) . LONDON, May 23. Several members of the German Cabinet, accompanied by Count Bernstorff, have gone to Spa to consult the German delegates with a view to facilitating the final decision. Telegraphs are seriously interrupted. PAHIS, May 14 (delayed). Herr Landsberp; and Herr Giesbert (two of the German. P.eace. delegates)! havo left Versailles for Germany "to confer with, the Government.

ALLIES READY TO ADVANCE

LONDON, May 23. The Cologne correspondent of the "Daily Express" states that everything is ready for an advance if Germany refuses to sign. Guns have gone forward,- infantry routes havo been mapped out, and units have received detailed instructions.

INSISTENCE ON FOURTEEN POINTS.

LONDON, May 23. The Berlin correspondent of the "Daily News" interviewed Dr Demburg, Minister for Finance. He said that •Germany cannot think of ceding the Saar Valley, or Silesia, or of allowing a foreign committee to interfere with Germany's internal affairs. "Wo insist on a Peace based on President Wilson's Fourteen Points; and I cannot imagine that any Government can be found in Germany which will sign such a treaty. Anyhow, we could not fulfil its obligations. There must be an equitablo Peace, after full and free negotiation; otherwise let the Allies run Germany for themselves, and get more out of it if they can. We determinedly refuse to sign the Treaty as submitted. 1 Bay this as Vice-Presi-dent of the Cabinot. I also say that the whole of the Government is unanimous."

The correspondent adds that the present Government, having the majority in the Assembly, and commanding the military authority, is the only possible combination possessing the qualifications needed for signature of the Treaty. Any possible successors would offer littlS^security.

Other correspondents draw attention to the speech of Herr Haase, which protested against a "Peace of destruction, suppression, injustice, and violation." Herr Haase added that those who did not protest against the Brest-Litovsk and Bucharest Treaties had no right to complain. Ho agreed that Germany must collapse under the impossible terms, and he hoped that the world revolution, which was surely coming, would result in the revision of the terms.

GERMANS TO REPAIR BELGIUM.

PARIS, May 22. A German Government Note agrees to repair all material damage resulting from the violation of the neutrality of Belgium, including that done by the Allied armies.

GERMAN COLONIES,

ROTTERDAM, May 22. Advice from Berlin indicates that Germany's _ counter-proposals include the suggestion that the surrender of the colonies should constitute part of the payment of reparation.