GERMANY

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1919, Page 5

GERMANY

THE SAAR VALLEY. A GERMAN THREAT, Received Feb. 22, 1,30 *.m. New York, Feb. 18. Interviewed by an American correspondent, Herr Erzberger said if the Saar valley is taken from Germany, Germany will retake it by force of arms sooner or later. If harder armistice terms are imposed it will be practically impossible for any German Government to exist. It might be fatal to public order in Germany. He said the German army was all demobilised, with the exception of the 1809 class, which with volunteers was unable to prevent the Polish invasion. Germany has not any ulterior motive in concentrating troops on the eastern frontier. The aim to to prevent the advance of the Poles and Bolsheviks. Herr Erzberger states that when Germany was assured hnr ships would be used to carry food to Germany the ships will be released for the use of the Allies. Von Hanel, a German State Department official, interviewed, said Germany must have food. "We have not cash to pay for it, but we are willing to mortgage our railways and mines and give any good security. If not, Bolshevism will spread in Germany.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. A STANDING ARMY. Received Feb. 22, 12.40 a.m. Copenhagen, Feb. 20. The Deutsche Allegemeigne Zeitung states that the Ministry for Defence lias completed a Bill for the formation of a standing army of 150,000 to 175.000, exclusive of officers and non-commissioned officers. It is intended to form a brigade in every province. There will be no conscription at present.—Reuter. ERZBERGER'S REPORT. JEALOUSY OF GERMANY'S HONOR. London, Feb. 18. A German wireless message reports that Herr Erzberger, in a speech at Weimar, announced the result of his Treves mission, and described his futile efforts to secure an extension of time and the elimination of certain of the armistice conditions. Ho said that Marshal Foch promised to intervene for the protection of Germans in the east, and also declared positively that the measures in Poland were without political significance. Marshal Foch promised to submit the demand for the release of German prisoners to the War Council. Herr Erzberger concluded by saying that he signed the agreement on the instructions of the Government after handing a note of protest to the Armistice Commission. "All the world knows," declared Herr Erzberger, "that Germany does not wish and cannot conduct a fresh war, but though it is possible to render us defenceless, we must not be robbed of our honor." The House adjourned, the president declaring that the entire nation was full of apprehension regarding the armistice agreement and its results. A German wireless message announces that Germany refuses to transfer her merchant fleet until the financial treaty is concluded in accordance with the understanding reached at Spa, where Germany pointed out that the shipping question was indissolubly bound up with finance. The message adds: "It is the Government's solemn duty not to place our merchantmen under foreign control until Germany's food supply, which was the ruling consideration for surrender, is assured.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. BOLSHEVIK AGENT. LOADED WITH CHAINS. Copenhagen, Feb. 18. The Politiken's correspondent in Berlin interviewed Herr Weinberg, who is defending Radek and other Spartacists. He says that Radek is loaded with heavy chains and confined in a damp, dark, closely-guarded cell. The conditions are worse than under the old regime.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. PRINCE JOACHIM AT MUNICH. IN CONNECTION WITH INTRIGUES. FIGHTING AGAINST SPARTACISTS. Received Feb. 21, 9.30 p.m. Munich, Feb. 20. Prince Joachim of Prussia, son of the ex-Kaiser, has arrived. It is" suspected his presence is in connection with certain intrigues. There has been bloody machine-gun fighting between the Spartacists and the Government force in the Ruhr region, and thirty-five mines have been closed. —Reuter. RANTZAU RESIGNS. Received Feb. 21, 10.40 p.m. New York, Feb. 17. A dispatch from Weimar Btateß that Herr Rantzau has resigned.—Aus and N.Z. Cable Assoc.