ARMISTICE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1919, Page 5

ARMISTICE

ERZBERGER'S TRICKERY, EXPOSED IN GOVERNMENT'S REPLY. MISREPRESENTATIONS AND FALSE STATEMENTS. Received Feb. 25, 12.30 a.m. Paris, Feb. 20. The Government's ofKcidl reply to Herr Erzberger's statements at Weimar convicts him of misstatements respecting the conference with Marshal Foch at i Treves. Erzberger concealed an important passage from the text he handed to Marshal Foch, and also interpolated a new sentence, and falsely asserted that Marshal Foch gave an assurance that the peace preliminaries would be shortly opened.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. GENERAL MAURICE'S VIEWS. PEACEABLE GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY ESSENTIAL. London, Feb. 19. General Maurice, writing from Paris, says:—"Somewhat late in tlie day the conditions of the armistice are now being considered in relation to the conference, instead for the Versailles Council. The recent exaggeration of Germany's military strength and alarmist reports of her intentions were circulated with ulterior motives and were not productive of the calm necessary for a sound peace. "The effect in Germany of these agitations must not be forgotten. It is in our interests that the Government at Weimar should be firmly established, as there is little prospect of obtaining terms with Germany if there is no authority with which to treat. "Monthly renewals of the armistice, coupled with increased demands, make the position of the German Government extraordinarily difficult If we upset tlu> ordered Government we can only obtain terms through a military occupation. involving large forces on the oempulsorv basis for an indefinite period."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FATE OF SURRENDERED SHIPS. PROBABLY SUNK IN MID-OCEAN. London, Feb. 22. It is understood that the British Admiralty ia of opinion that the surrendered German warships are utterly useless. Breaking them up would involve unjustifiable expense, and they should be sunk in mid-ocean. Probably the conference will accept this view.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.