ORDER TO SIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1919, Page VI

ORDER TO SIGN.

GERMANY AND .PROTOCOL. MILITARY MEASURES HINTED. By Tdfgnph.—Preu Asm.—Copyright. Received Dec. 7, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. 8. The Allies have notified Germany that ihe most sign the protocol, otherwise military measures will be taken immedi- ' ately. Received Dec. 7, 11.55 p.m. Paris, Dec. 3. Heir von. Leraner, interviewed, said that he was authorised to sign the protocol of ratification if the last sentence were eliminated. This reserves the right for foreign armed forces to enter Germany after peace is settled if an infringement of the terms occurs. He admitted that the wording of the protocol showed it was only intended to apply to important matters, but he contended that when put to thq teat it might be applied to insig-1 ntf cant points. He said that Germany's suggestion to Invite the; Hague Convention's decision regarding the Scapa Flow sinkings was based on the argument that Germany was. not. responsible, and therefore desired' an impartial judgment 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.—Renter Service.

[Last week it was announced that Germany had refused to sign the protocol to the Peace Treaty. The word protocol has •everal widely different meanings. The lease in the present case is that of an agreement which, without being in itself a treaty, records the arrangements for the carrying out of a previous instrument (the German armistice). In several important respects the requirements of the Armistice have not been executed. For instance, the sinking of the German fleet at Seapa Flow was a flagrant breach; and the terms of the protocol were drafted to enforce, by the German signature of the new terms, the fulfilment of the new clauses, and some reparation for the breaches. Among the provisions already indicated is the surrender of docks and dredges in recompense for the lost warships.] THE AMERICAN DELEGATION. Received Dec. 7, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. 3. The decision of the American delegation to remain in Paris is emphasised by a visit of Marshal Foch to the Chief of the German delegation, with whom he had the firmest interview.—Reuter Service. CHARACTERISTIC DIPLOMACY. , Paris, Dec. 5. It is understood that Germany is secretly making overtures to the Allies to withhold extreme measures pending the despatch of new negotiations to Paris The Allies aTe considering the immediate re-application of the blockade.— Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn.