THE PEACE TREATY.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 May 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE TREATY.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S OPINION

ON. CONDITIONS OF TREATY.

Received 8.50 a.m. -. PARIS, May C. Sir Joseph Ward, interviewed said the Treaty covered such gigantic areas ■that its length was not. surprising. It was a great experiment, necessarily based on uncertainty; but if it pre-

vented even one great war it would

confer an inestimable benefit. The fact A, that Germany had been compelled to give up her illgotten territories would be cordially approved of by all civilised countries, whilst it would act as a brake upon her aggression. The peace of the world demanded the Kaiser's punishment. He believed the reparation proposals would prove effective. The financial proposals should fall on the enemy, not on the Allies. If the Samoans ultimately desired to join New Zealand ,the League of Nations would grant their wish_ Rantzau spoke more as a victor than as the vanquished, but he obviously intended his speech for propaganda. There was no likelihood of the Allies bleeding- Germany.

RANTZAU TO PRESENT COUNTER TREATY.

DESIRES AUDIENCE WITH

WILSON.

TWO GERMAN NOTES PRESENTED

.Received 9 a.m.

LONDON, May 10

Rantzau will not visit Berlin during the coming week ,and returns with the Government's counter-treaty The Government has authorised Rantz.au to request a personal meeting with President Wilson for the purpose of oral negotiations. Rantzau pressnted two !N'»tuS to M. Clemenceau. Tha first s<?.ys th 3 demands are such mas no pecple could bear; the second states that although Germany is required to t!gr. a treaty embodying the League of KatioES she is not invited to join the League. Rantzau' asks, under what circumstances would Germany o-j U>Vited to join. The Allies reply to Rantzau's Nites says in regard to the first Note the terms were framed with a constant thought respecting the principles "whereof the armistice and peace negotiations were proposed. The Allies cannot admit any discussion respecting their right to insist on the terms substantially as drafted, but they will consider practical suggestions. In answer to Rantzau/s second Note the Allies state that the Covenant of the League explicitly provides for the admission of enemy Powers

CONDUCT OF GERMANS.

THEIR STI3DIED POSE OF INDIFFERENCE.

Receievd 8'55 a.m. PARIS, May 7

Mr. Keith. Murdoch, referring to Rantzau's attitude, says: We learned' afterwards the Germans used a studied pose of indifference from the moment the French military cars called at their hotels to bring them to the Conference hall. Rantzau was smoking a cigarette. When he reached the steps of the hall he turned towards 1 the privileged spectators, blew out a cloud of smoke, dropped his cfgrrrstte disdainfully, turned his back, and walked in.