AUSTRIA'S APPEAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1919, Page 9

AUSTRIA'S APPEAL.

"FATE IS IN YOUR HANDS." SCENES AT ST. GERMAIN. Paris, Juno 2. The arrival of the allied delegates at Saint Germain on the occasion of the presentation of the peace terms to the Austrian® closely resembled the scene at Versailles, but the environment was certainly more impressive. Instead of a modern hotel, the ceremony took place in the old chateau intimately connected with British history since the fifteenth century. The delegates- arrived at the main entrance of the chateau. Marquis §aionji (Japan) was tlio first to arrive. Sir Joseph Cook ami Sir Joseph Ward arrived together, and Mr ITuyhcs came immediately after Marshal Fech. The seating arrangements were as usual, the allied and associated delegates being seated around three sides of a reetangle, which was closed by the table waiting the Austrian delegates. M. Clemenceau, in his' presidential chair, had the Americans on his ngh.t, the British on his left, the Dominions' delegates at the upper end of the table on his left. The French were on a corresponding place on his right, and next to them were the Italians, represented by Signor Orlando, Baron Sonnino, and General Diaz. The ceremony was fully half an hour late in beginning. The rqom slowly filled. At two mintites past twelve Mr Lloyd George entered and shook hands with M. Clemenceau. The Americans chatted witji their British colleagues,

and Mr Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook, and Mr Massey, with other dominion representatives, had .taken their places, while there was still no sign of Mr Wilson not until twenty minutes past twelve that the President hurried in.

Immediately after Mr Wilson's arrival the guard of honor was withdrawn, and the Austrian delegates, immaculate with top hats and tail coats, arrived, entering by a side door, at 12.22. The Austrians appeared serious, looikng as if they fully realised the importance of the coming ordeal. Including their secretaries and interpreter, they numbered about a dozen. The actual delegates were tho Chancellor, Ilerr Rentier, Dr. Guertler (Christian Socialist), Dr. Sehoenbauer (Pan-Germanist), and Dr. Klein (representing the Austrian Foreign Office).

M- Clemenceau, in his opening speech, which was very brief, stated that he was handing over a truncated edition of the treaty shorn of its more important articles. His tone was less cold than at Versailles, and his speech did not contain any ominous reminder of the terms they must expect, as did his address to the Germans.

An interesting innovation at the (proceedings was that for the first time the speeches were translated into Italian as well as into French and English, and into German when nece:sary. The French interpreter inadvertently addressed tho Austrians as the delegates of the German-Austrian Republic. He was quietly reminded by M. Clemenceau that the Allies know the new State as the Austrian Republic.

After the translation of M. Clemen - ceau'a speech M. Dutasta handed the text of the incomplete treaty to Herr Renner, who accepted it with a bow and began his speech. M. Clemenceau, in his brief opening 9peech, informed the Austrians of the treaty about to be handed to then, stating that no verbal discussion would be admitted, and that 15 days would be. accorded them for the presentation of written observations on parts of the treaty handed to them.

Renner, who read his reply in French, said that the people of Austria had long wished for this day, which would deliver them from the state of uncertainty. The monarchy against which the Allies had fought had ceased to exist, and there only remained the people of Austria, who had created their own independent State, but still languished under the terrible heritage of the war burden left by the former Government. Austria was the victim of the horrible crime of 191-I—a crime committed by the Governments, but not by the people". The Austrian Republic was never at war with the new national States formed out of Austria. All it had to do with them was to agree upon the liquidation of the heritage of the past. It was ready to assume its share of the responsibilities and the burdens of war.

"We know our fjite is in your hands," he said, [ imt we trust in the principles of right and freedom which guided the Allies in their war against the Hapsburgs and the Hohenzollerns." Concluding, he sa'd: "Wc know that we have to seek peace from your victorious hands. We will conscientiously weigh your terms and all the advice yu'u have given us. We crave for a decision that will safeguard our independence and our political and economic future, and you may be sure that our aim is to co-operate to our utmost in the noble task of the League of Nations.";