Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-21
News Comes That Decision
Was Made Before Erzberg-
er Met Marshal FoCh to Re-
sort to Passive Resistance,
FOOD AND RAW MATERIAL
WILL BE WITHHELD
Whole Matter Is Regarded as
Political Play by Which Ar
IniStice Conditions viii Be
Put Up to People,
BY Herbert Bayard Swope.
Staff Correspondent of the Albu
querque Journal and n. Y. World)
1919. by the Press Pub
(The New York WorldD
lSnecial Wireless Despatch.

Especial Wireless Despatch.l
Paris, Feb. 20.--~AdViceS received In
Paris today indicate the Germans pur-
pose following obstructionist tactics
in carrying. out the terms of the new
armistice signed by ErZbergar las,
Monday, and was reported repudiateo
by the assembly at Weimar. State.
ments made by Scheidemann, Ebert
and Rantzau at Weimar show they
are reluctant to accept harsher terms
in advance of the actual treaty OF
peace and that they will begin pass
i've resistance.
Evidence is at hand to prove they
have formulated a definite policy
their proposition being based on the
ground that the armiStice conditions
as amended go beyond the provisions
made by President Wilson'S fourteen
points. 1t is unlikely, however, that
this attitude will be long persisted i'll
for upon the acceptance of the doCu'
ment depends the supply of foods and
raw materials to be allocated to Ger
many in event of her compliance.
Believe Germans Biuffing.
Close student of the situation in
cline to the belief that the TeutOnio
leaders are bluffing to keep their rec
ord straight and that German public
opinion will compel acquiescence.
The subjects under question deal
only with the military phases of the
terms which the allies have an unde-
niable right to enforce, to the end
that the menace contained in the en-
listing German military strength may
be disposed Of ] am informed that
not only is the food supply dependent
upon the new conditions, but that
the return of Germans held as wa
prisoners in France and Britain ana
elsewhere also is involved. the right
of negotiating upon this subject haV-
ing been accorded Marshal Foch aft
err the question had been raised By
Premier C1emenceau himself, his ac-
ton almost producing friction he
tween the generalissimo and the SUI
preme war council
The direct outcome of the new ar
mstice will be to reduce Germany to
the basis on which she will stand
when the final treaty is ready for her
signature, with full provision made
for reducing her armament army and
navy, and the surrender of such ma
terial as she has failed thus far to
deliver to the victors.
Matthias Erzberger, who has been
the subject of attack in his country
for yielding to all allied demands,
told the assembly that no concessions
could be secured from the allies.
Details Confidential.
In addition to the practical demoh-
ilization of the greater part of the
German armies and reduction in the
size of her fleet and the surrender
o" implements of war. rolling stock
and agricultural implements, the new
terms engage Germany to cease ac-
ton against the new Polish republic
and provide against other means that
Germany is employing to strengthen
her position
Now that the league of nations is
temporarily out of the way. the ar
mistice and Russia occupy the major
attention of the peace conference,
with reparation also subject of first
Importance.
The session at the Quai dOrsay
yesterday was given over to Russia,
and it is expected that the new plan
in view will be announced in place
of the Prinkipo conference, which
rapidly is proving abortive. Winston
Churchill's suggestion, which he came
to Paris to lay before President Will
son is being discussed, but none
seems to find much comfortfin it. II
ideals with the place and program OF
the meeting.
,, Another proposal is the cutting off
food supplies unless good conduct is
guaranteed, while if the Rolshevists
show a tendency to change their at
titude, materials are to be sent in
under a small policing force, in the
hope that the worlds interest in the
welfare of the Russians may have a
reforming effect upon them.
Even the most sanguine admits the
Russian muddle is as hopeless today
as it was two years ago, and sees no
clear way out.
The raparation committee has nov