PEACE TREATY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3356, 8 December 1919, Page 5

PEACE TREATY.

GERMANY AND HER OBLIGA- ‘ TIONS. ' PARIS, Dec. 5. The decision of the American delegation to remain in Paris is emphasised‘ by a visit of Foch to the chief German delegation, wherewith he had a very firm ‘interview. AJLLIES GIVE GERMANS LAST 5 CHANCE. PAR-IS, Dec. 6. The Anies have no-tified Germany that she must sign the Protocol, otherwise ‘military measures will be taken imniediastely. Von Lersney, interviewed, said that he was authorised to sign the protocol of ratification if the last sentence. was eliminated. This reserves the right for foreign armed forcesdto enter Germany after Peace is elfecrted if infringement of the terms occurs. He admitted that the Wording of the protocol showed it was only intended to apply. to important maftters, but he contended that when put to the test it might be applied to insignificant points. He said tliait. Grermany’s suggestion to invite the Hague Convention’s decision I'ege.r(ling the Scapa. Flow sinkings was based on the argunlent that Grerm'a;ny was not responsible, and therefore desired an impartial jlldgment_ Germany was prepared to sign the protocol immediately the Allies agreed to that proposal. He contended that the Baltic question was already settled by the complete evacuation of German troops from Lithuania. He denied the meeting at Elk.

. ' SCAPA smxmes. GERMAN RESPONSIBILITY PROVED_ » ‘ - ‘LONDON, Dec. An Admiralty communique, referring to Gcrmany’s contention that Admiral Von Router scuttled the German Fleet at Scapa Flow without the knowledge of any German civil or military authority, publishes a translation of a. letter found in a safe of the flagship Emden. The document, dated May 9’th and marked “most secret,” was written by Admiral Von. Trots'a., chief of the German Admiralty to Von Renter. It discusses the Allies’ probable intentions in re.gard to the fate of the in» terned fleet, which it is declared, however, cannot be decided Without German co-operation, and consummated\by (iiermany. The latter emphasised that surrender to the enemy was out of the question. The Admiralty cites the foregoing and other instances in ret'utation of the German allegation that German orders failed to reach Von Router, and shows that the last orders reaclied him on Jfirfé 17th, the very day on which. according to the text of another document, he instructed the commanding ofliccrs, carefully detailing the preparations‘ to effect rapid si.nl<ing_s in the event. of forcible Eritish intervention without ‘German assent, or on-..-his orders. Whereanent he indicated a secret code. Von Reuter added that should the German Government agree to surrender under the Peace terms, then the ships must. be handed over, “to the lasting clisgl-a_ce, of those who placed us in this position.”

PEACE CONFERENCE TO BE SUPERSEDED. Received 8.55 21.111. WASHINGTON, Doc. 4. It is reported that an International Conference composed of ;‘epre~sentatives of Powers who have fatified the Treaty Will replace the Peace Conference. It is believed Britain is opposed to the United ‘States’ suggestion that an A'mba.~ssador Commission be formed. ' .