BERLIN WAR COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 18839, 4 June 1920, Page 5

BERLIN WAR COUNCIL

AN IXTRAORDINARY STORY PLANS AGAINST FRANCE AND POLAND (Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn. Copyright.) lAu straiian ami N.Z. Cable Association). NKW YORK, June (Received June 4, 12 5 a.m.i A New York Times message from Paris says that the Paris newspaper prints an amazing story of a secret war council in Berlin which is alleged to have discussed immediate war with France and Poland. According to this story the General Staff reported that 300.000 troops were available for use against Poland, and 700,000 against France. Bolshevik aid was certain, and there were new classes of young men to

draw upon. The British and American attitude was uncertain, but the conclusion had been reached that France would receive a free hand and plan accordingly. ARMY CF OCCUPATION. PAYMENTS BY GERMANY. LONDON. June 1 Replying to Maior-Gcncral Davidson in the House of Commons, regarding the amount paid by Germany in connection with the army of occupation, Mr Stanley Baldwin said approximately £4.000,000 had hitherto been paid in li'eal currency for the use of the occupying forces. The balance of the British claim to May 31 approximates! £45,000,000, to which it was estimated £2,750,000 would be added in respect to the rest of 1920. The question of payment rested with the Reparations Commission. BRIITAIN AND RUSSIA.

KRASSIN TRADE MISSION. GOODS FOR GOODS. LONDON. June I, It is understood that the British Government will insist on the release of the British prisoners in Russia, before assenting to the resumption of trade. To day’s meeting between M. Krasssn and the British Ministers dealt with only general trade proposals—not. with any question of recognition, the object being to discover what Russia needed and what she ig able to export It was made clear that trade could not be conducted simultaneously with propaganda. The Standard states that no question will be raised regarding payment by Russia for Allied goods in gold. M. Krasshn’s proposals are on the basis of goods for goods—possibly flax and wheat for locomotives and other manufactures. France and Italy participating in the exchanges. PAINFUL IMPRESSION IN FRANCE. BRITAIN’S MOTIVES QUESTIONED. PARIS. June 2. The Petit Parisien states that conversations between Mr Lloyd George and Krassin have caused painful surprise. Both the Petit Parisien and the Journal express the opinion that Britain is really aiming to secure a cessation of the Bolshevik advance on Persia. SITUATION IN THE CRIMEA. BRITISH PROTECTING COMMUNICATIONS. SUPPORT OF THE BATUM GARRISON. LONDON. June 1. In the House of Commons Mr Isong, First Lori of the Admiralty, stated that British warships were protecting sea communications in the Crimea until the armistice was arranged between General Wrangei’s army and Soviet Russia. In this connection negotiations will begin shortly. The warships were intended to prevent a Bolshevist attack along the Black Sea con-st anil the road to Batum, *jid to support the garrison at Batum. Mr Long denied that Britain was at war with Soviet Russia. The Admiralty was strictly carrying out the policy laid down by the Premier in the House of Commons, and was only taking ordinary precautionary measures in the Black Sea necessitated by the policy of the Allies.

POLAND AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA. RUPTURE OP RELATIONS. PARIS, June I. The Polish Diet has broken oil diplomatic gelations with Czechoslovakia. GERMANY AND RUSSIA. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. (Reuter's Telegrams. .* BERLIN, June I. (Received June 4, 1.35 a.m.i It is announced that the Russian and German Governments have ratified an agreement for the exchange of their respective war prisoners.

BULGARS AND GREEKS. GUERILLA WARFARE. LONDON, June 2. The Daily Express’s Constantinople correspondent. states that Bulgarian bands Bear Demotika have begun a guerilla warfare against the Greeks holding the Dedeag-*tch-Adrianople railway. They attacked a troop train after placing bombs on the line. There have been several similar attacks on Other railways. The Greek army of occupation bos now reached the neighbourhood. Muatapha Pasha with 10,000 Bulgarian irregulars is reported to be massed in the Hcrmauli-Kildjali region. Turkish gunners Bre mounting batteries behind Adrianople Bod have dug trenches around the town.

HUNGARIAN PEACE TREATY. THE AUSTRALASIAN SIGNATORIES. LONDON, June 2. i Received June 3, 9 p.m.i Sir Thomas MackcnzO and Mr Fisher kave gone to Paris to sign the Hungarian Treaty

A GERMAN LOOTER

PUNISHED BY THE FRENCH. GENEVA, June 2. It, is reported tmm Basle that when the french entered Frankfort they found a great quantity of looted French tapestries, pictures and furniture at the residence of a German captain, Imhof. The French Court sentenced Imhof to sixteen years in a French prison.