Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-02-14
TO.
DISARMSAYS.
PRES. EBERT.
G o m pie tie Disarmament
and Demobilization Be
ing Arranged, Claim.

Weimar. Friday, Feb. H.
Friedrich Ebert, the president
OF Germany, has announced to
newspapermen that the govern
ment is arranging the details
for complete disarmament and
rehabilitation.
Germany plans for the time
being at least, IA peoples army
on the basis of general con-
scriptiOn, Germany will an
nOunce within a few days her
intention to carry out COM
plete disarmament and demOb-
iiZati0n, and commission
made up of the Center Demo-
cratic and Socialist parties is
now discussing details of the
new governmental program.
These points were made by
Frederick Ebert, the new presi-
dent of Germany, in his informal
talk with foreign newspapermen
today. He answered questions of
American and English correspond
ents, asked after he read an appar-
emily innocuous statement which
virtually followed the lines of his
address of Wednesday, in which he
emphasized Germany's intention TO
rehabilitate herself.
The question of disarmament
was first raised. since reports
from the peace conference in Paris
indicate that it is occupying large
place in discussions there. Presi-
dent Ebert frankly astonished his
hearers by his declaration that a
commission was already working on
the problem. He said Germany in
future was going to have only an
army of defense. 1t was the very
end of his talk that he admitted
that this guard will be raised by
conscription and he left the room
before further details could be
ELECTED.
Welcomes World Disarmament
He said that the assurance that
the borders of the country would
be protected was absolutely essen
tial although he would welcome uni
versal disarmament which would
make such protection unnecessary
and he declared that an under
standing had already been reached
by which various branches of in
dustry will be united and operated
socialistically. adding that only
monopolized business will be So
cialized. In answer to a question
relative to foodstuffs, in Germany,
he said he regarded the situation
as very gloomy. Germany, he said,
has but a minimum number of for
eign securities with which she can
purchase food.
Can Manage With Help.
Our gold as the world knows.
has gone in a large part to the
allies. The gold and securities now
on hand would not suffice to cover
more than the most urgent needs.
Germany would be glad to repay
honorably and uprightly as soon as
possible. If food and raw materials
are furnished and Germany is Civ
en- assistance toward rehabilitation,
believe the economic and general
situation can be brought into an
orderly and progressive path"
BernstOrff Not to Attend.
Count Brockdorff-Rantz the
foreign minister, DR.. Edouard Dav-
i'd, the president OF the national as
sembly and many persons expert
enced on economic lines. he said, |
would probably attend the peace
conference for Germany, but not !
Bernstorff," he added instantly to
a question. 1t was the first time |
that Count Won Bernstorff's par
which has been adver- |
tised freely, was denied authori- |
lively. The German peace delegates
President Ebert said will have def I
mite proposals. including plans for |
a league of nations, working mems
protective laws and a court 10 de-
eide international disputes.
Provides Suffrage Reforms.
Copenhagen, Thursday. Feb. Is.
The program of the new German
which has Just been
published at Berlin, includes refor-
nation OF suffrage interests for
men and women. the improvement
Of the educational system con-
scription along democratic lines to
establish a peoples army rationing
1t maximum prices of food and
1ecessaries OF life. care of the
and the families OF those
killed during the war, the seeialf-
sation of all industries for such
reatment, particularly the coal
and iron mines and considerable
additions to income taxes.
viii Have "Wils0n peaee.-
The real goal of these affairs.
he program declares. is for peace
along lines laid down by Presi-
lent Wilson but refusing any peace
If violeneei for the repatriation of
German prisoners of war. and for
he establishment of a league of
nations, with disarmament and an
court of arbitration in
'rder that war may be made i'm |
possible in the future,