Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-21
ASKS TREATY
BE MODIFIED;
WILL SIGN?
Want in League Now and
Kaiser Saved-Sure to
Accept, Belief.

Berlin, Friday, June CO.
(By the Associated Press.)-
Matthias Erzberger mentioned
as probable head OF the new
German peace delegatiOn) is
reported 10 have sent a note
to Premier Clemenceau, as
president of the peace confer
ence, asking whether the al
lies will agree to the immedi-
ate admission of Germany to
the league of nations.
Herr Erzberger also desires to
know if the powers will consent
to the Limitation of Germany's in
demnity to 100000, 100000 gold
marks and renounce their effort to
have former Emperor William sur
rendered.
The note does not say whether
Germany will sign the peace treaty
but the inference seems clear that
she would accept the treaty if
these concessions were made.
Having Difficulties.
1t is known that difficulty is be-
ing experienced in securing a ma
jority without the German Demo-
Gratis for the formation of a gov
eminent and the conditions nam
ed by Herr Erzberger are those
upon which the Democrats would
reenter the majority bloc.
The Center party also has de-
clared that it desired similar con-
.cessions. but its position as to this
has not been regarded as an un-
|shakeable one.
(By the Associated Press)
While the trend of German senti-
ment is declared in advices reach
ing the peace conference to be con-
|tinuing strongly In favor of signing
the peace treaty, it is becoming ap-
Lparent that the Germans do not in
tend to make their attitude known
without an effort to obtain modifi-
cations in the terms.
In the first place they wish to
know definitely what they are
signing and have asked the peace
|conferees if the terms of Premier
|Clemenceau's covering note as re-
CARDS reparations and other phases
of the treaty may be considered as
part of the document itself, and
binding upon all parties.
Want in League Now.
In addition they are reported to
have asked the conference if the
|allies would agree to admit Ger
many Immediately to the league of
Nn NV &C
Indemnity to 100000, 100000 gold
marks and strike out the require
ments for the surrender of the
former German emperor.
The German cabinet situation is
|still a mixed one.
+ 1t is definitely known that the
|Scheidemann cabinet has resigned
Whether a successor to Herr
|Scheidemann has been chosen as
Yet seems doubtful although t. e
American delegation in Paris has
|received a report that Herman
Mueller, majority Socialist leader,
had been selected. A Berlin dis
patch dated late Friday. however.
declared that the government at
that hour had announced itself at
present to choose a new cabinet
and had decided to postpone the
attempt for 4S hours
Ebert May Stay In.
The advices seem to indicate that
President Ebert will retain office,
at least for the time being. Ma
thias Erzberger, head of the Ger
man armiStiCe commission, seems
sure of a place in the government,
probably as minister of recon
struction and fulfllment of the
treaty" and he is pointed to as the
likely head of the new German
peace delegation. Other names
than Herr MuelIer's mentioned for
the premiership are those of Gustav
Noske, the minister of defense. AID
DIR. Eduard David, former president
OF the national assembly.
WI Get More 1Imel
1t seems probable that the min
isteriaI crisis caused by the neces-
sity of quickly deciding upon the
signing of the allied peace terms
will result in a request from Ger
many for an extension of time be-
yond Monday for reaching a final
decision. Dispatches from Paris
yould appear to indicate that un-
der the circumstances, such a re-
quest would be favorably received.
David to Form Cabinet.
Paris. June 21.-Dispatches re-
ceiyed over the American military
wire into Germany early this aft
ernoon stated that Herr Mueller,
having failed TO form cabinet, DR..
Eduard David. former president of
tie national assembly had been
asked to assume the task.
Matthias Erzberger probably will
head the German peace delegation.
the advices indicate.
The opposition attitude OF the
Democrats and German nationalistF
on the question of the treaty prob
ably will exclude Count Won Brock