GERMANS HEAR TERMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1921, Page 5

GERMANS HEAR TERMS.

POLITICAL CIRCLES OPTIMISTIC. PRESS WARNS THE ALLIES. J . SAYS OCCUPATION IS ILLEGAL. Received March 4, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, March 3. Throughout the day political circles were in a state of great tension, though they are curiously optimistic now the terms of the Allies’ ultimatum are known. Herr von Stinnes’ organ, the Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, warns the Allie* to be careful. Under the Treaty of Versailles, it says, no steps of a forcible character can be taken unless Germany has consciously violated the Treaty, and then they must only be of an economic character. The Paris decisions were not provided for in the Versailles Treaty. If they are rejected Germany must be given breathing space until May 1. The Lokal Anzeiger says that by the illegal occupation of German territory France will tear up the Versailles Treaty. “We will then be free of all our obligations under that Treaty, and be in a position of never having signed it,” adds the paper.—-Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. SPEECH IN THE COMMONS. GERMAN PROPOSALS A MOCKERY. WAR DAMAGES RETOLD. Received March 4, 5.5 p.m. London March 3. Mr. Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, announced the ultimatum to Germany. He said the Allies were unanimously of opinion that Herr von Simons’ proposals did not afford any basis for examination. They fell so far short of Germany’s obligations under the treaty as to constitute a mockery of its provisions. Mr. Lloyd George added: “We have no desire to impose bondage, and we are not asking for a penny towards the costs of the war. We ‘simply insisted that Germany should pay reparation for the injuries inflicted on the Allied countries and people. The German people have no notion of the devastation wrought as a result of the Imperial Government’s action in August, 1914. When they realise this their attitude of mind will change.” The Premier pointed out that 21,000 factories were destroyed in France, and it will take ten years to re-establish the French mines, while 1659 communes were completely destroyed, and an incredible amount of damage was done deliberately to blast furnaces. 'Rolling mills in Belgium were deliberately blown up in order that their work should not compete with that ,of the Germans.

Mr. Lloyd George continued: “Unless reparation is made by Germany, the victors will pay the price of defeat, and the vanquished will reap the fruits of victory. What Germany offers is not one fourth of the amount required to repair damages, and the offer is only made on condition that the Allies first find it out of their own pockets on highly privileged terms, when we can only with difficulty raise money in our own markets for the essential work of the Government. Such proposals are an offence and an exasperation. Germany’s failure to bring up her taxation to the level of the taxes in Allied countries itself constitutes an infringement of the Treaty of Versailles. Until Germany does this she is not in a position to plead that she is unable to meet the Paris proposals.” Mr Lloyd George said the Allied proposals were tendered in a spirit of concession to induce an amicable settlement with Germany, but the counterproposals were a mockery of the Treaty. The Allies came to this conclusion not onlv from the German counter-pro-posals, but also from a perusal of Herr von Simons’ speeches and the support they received in Germany. For instance, Herr von Simons repudiated Germany’s responsibility for the war, and €he repudiation was acclaimed throughout Germany. For the Allies Germany s responsibilitv for the war was fundamental, and if that acknowledgment was abandoned the Treaty would be destroyed. He added: “We regard a free and contented Germany as essential to civilisation, and we regard a discontented and enslaved Germany as a menace and burden to European civilisation.” Replying to questions, Mr. Lloyd George said that in the Government’s view ample safeguards had been taken by the Allies to curb the future military equipment of Germany.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. FRANCE HAPPY AT DECISION. MEN AND GCNS GOING FORWARD. REAL DISPLAY OF FORCE. Received March 4, 7.25 p.m. Paris, March 3. The decision of the London Conference met with universal approval, except by extremists of the Left. The decision is regarded as a triumph for French diplomacy. In anticipation men, gun#, and ammunition have already been* sent to the eastern frontier, and the reserve of officers has been told to hold themselves in readiness. Everyone in France believes a real display of force will be necessary to maKe Germany yield.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.