Evening star., 1919-04-21
GERMANS GLOOMY
OVER PEACE PACT
Peremptory DecIination of
Terms Proposed-No Miti-
cation Expected.
NEGOTIATION is DESIRED
BY the Associated Press.

BERLIN, Saturday, April 1s.-The
cabinet devoted less than half an
hour to the formulation of it's answer
to the entente's invitation to YER
sailles, for the purpose of receiving
draft of the peace terms. A feeling OF
gloom prevails in official circles and
the Associated Press is told that there
are no illusions as to obtaining any
mitigation in the dictatorial peace
awaiting Germany.
The procedure of the council of four
came as surprise, notwithstanding
the fact that the news for the past
week forShadowed it, and 1t is inter
preted in cabinet circles and at the
foreign office as final proof that the
entente is disinclined forthwith to
enter into negotiations based on Presl-
dent Wilson's fourteen points ana
that the terms awaiting Germany are
cut and dried.
Favor Peremptory Decination.
The German emissaries will merely
have instructions to carry the peace
document back to Berlin. The ques-
ton whether the present government
will assume the responsibility of ac-
cepting or rejecting the terms. or
whether it will present them for a
national referendum is matter OF
conjecture. Official opinion. so far
as adduced tonight, was opposed to
the declaration of referendum ana
in favor of a peremptory declinatlon
of peace terms based on any other
proposition than Mr.. Wilson's plat
form, as the present temper OF the
German workingmen is anti-capi-
talistic and anti ti-imperialistic. and the
bourgeoisie is in full accord with
the proletariat.
Storm of Resentment Seen.
The present government, it has
been learned is not flirting with the
idea of a plebiscite, as it would much
rather negotiate peace and set the
country at work. But 1t is also con-
scious that a peace settlement in
which Germany has not had a voice
would precipitate a storm of national
resentment which no cabinet could
weather.
The communication from the en-
tente powers was received mere ss 1ass
Friday, and the German answer was
wired back this afternoon. Philipp
Scheidemann, the chancellor, called
in representatives of the German
press at o'clock this evening, and
informed them Of the ,governmenit.'s Is
first information as to events on
Easter morning.
!. Press for Extreme Step.
BERLIN, April 20 (by the Associated
Press) s)-Insinuations that Germany
will refuse to sign the peace treaty
unless the terms are acceptable to her
continue to be made in the German
newspapers.
we must make up our minds even
for the extreme STEP" says the Tage-
I Dc
ditions which are in contradiction to
the principles we accepted and the
entente approved, counter proposals
must be made which can be recon-
ciled with President wilson's four
teen points. If the entente refuses to
negotiate these counter proposals and
demands that we simply submit there
will be nothing for us to do but to
declare that we will not sign"
Vorwaerts, the socialist organ, says
it is unthinkable that an international
conflict can be satisfactorily conclud-
ed without negotiations and simply
by dictation from one side.
The Lokal AnZefger. referring to the
invitation to the Germans to come to
Versailles. says it does not exclude
negotiations.
Negotiation Is Desired.
The Taeglische Rundschau insists
that peace is only possible by nego-
tiation and urges the nation to be
firm, in which case. 1t says. peace
negotiations begun in such an un-
friendly way may yet lead to toll
cradle end"
Germania also talks Of the POSSIBLE
ity of the Germans refusing to sign.
| while the Deutsche Tages Zeitung
and the Kreuz Zeitung declare it will
be impossible to sign treaty which
goes beyond President Wilson's four
teen points.
Mere Messengers Unacceptable.
PARIS, April 20-The council of
four has notified Germany that the
associated powers cannot receive rep
resentatives at Versailles. who are
merely messengers. The German gov
ernment must appoint representatives
with plenipotentiary powers.
A statement issued this evening by
the Havas News Bureau, a. semi-offi-
cial agency. says that surprise has
been manifested over the fact that
Germany did not select more impor-
tant men for her peace delegation
than Minister Won Haniel. Herr Won
Keller. Ernst Schmidt. Herr Reimker
and Herr Luders. and also that ac-
cording to the German note they will
have power only to receive the text
treaty.
Views of Paris Press.
| PARIS, April 21.-This mornings
newspapers see in Germany's sending
''couriers" instead of delegates of
proper standing to Versailles moth
ing but evidence of bad faith and q
The Echo de Paris says:
THE allied and associated povern-
ments are determined not to accept
subordinate personages. and Germany
will be Immediately notified that she
must send delegates equipped with
full powers to conclude peace.
Upon their arrival at Versailles the
first step will be to demand from them
evidence that they hold those DOW
ers."
The Gaulois. indignant at what it
describes as the impertinence of Ger
many's coup de theater," which it re-
CARDS as a refusal to sign the treaty,
says:
'Srhe next word will be with Marshal
Foch."
Plans for Receiving Huns.
The final plans for receiving the
German delegates at Versailles and
complete secrecy. although an ofiicial
communication will be issued after
the treaty has actually been delivered
announcing this fact. Except for this.
everything will be behind rigidly
guarded doors, with military forces
occupying all the surrounding pre-
cincts.
Mail Airship Falls; Two Killed.
PARIS. April 2o.-An airship car
rying mail from Strassburg to Paris