The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-08
4 eatures Of Protocol Most Oh
lectionabIe to Germans
Eliminated.
DROP THREAT OF. FORCE
aimputation Of Guilt for Sink
ing of Fleet at scapa
Flow Remains.

Paris, Dec. ga. P.)-The
allies have consented to modify
some of the terms of the protocol
putting the peace treaty into ef-
feet to which Germany has made
objection.
The clause providing for the
Indemnity for the destruction of
the German fleet at Scapa Flow
has been modified SO as to refer
to the Hague tribunal the ques-
ton whether the delivery of the
tonnage demanded will cripple
Germany, it is understood. :.
The understanding also is that
the other features of the proto-
col most Objectionable to the
Germans have been eliminated.
1t is expected that the German
plenipotentiaries will sign the
protocol without much further
delay.
The final paragraph of the
protocol providing that even
after the peace treaty has gone
into effect the allies might use
Military measures of coercion to
insure the execution of the trea-
, $50 ,t"s, been eliminated
entirely, as also has the clause
relating to the evacuation of the
Baltic provinces by German
troops.
The imputation of response
bility to Germany. for the sink
ing of the Scapa Flow feet is
left in the protocol. 1t was ex-
pected a note setting forth the
allied position would be, handed
today to- Baron Won Lersner,
head of the German mission.
Comes as Complete Surprise.
Furthermore. tha reparations de-
rnanded for the sinking Of the in..
termed German fleet at Scapa Flow
have been modified. IS
This news came as a comp tie sur
prise in view of the tension on Sat-
rrday when the ali ,es were reported
In press dispatches to be taking mill
tary stems % compel Germany to
accept the protocol terms. 1t was
reported that the allies note to Ger
many was couched in terms of such
sternness that it almost might be
called an ultimatum.
French newspapers took the view
today that fhe notifications prob
ely will not attain the object of
making it more easy to sign the
protocol. On .he other hand. a large
fection of the press expressed belief
that it might increase German re-
Sist0nce.
Noske Wo"ld Refs, to Sign.
London, Dec. S-Gustav Noske,
German minister of defense, doc'ares
he will recommend that the German
government refuse to sign the pro-
tocol of the reace treaty, no matter
what the consequences may be. ac-
cord ng to tho Berlin correspondent
cf the Daily Mail. Noske was care
full to say he was giving his per-
"onal views, but it is said his state
ment agreed with intentions 'ascrihcd
to other members of the German cab
inot.
He charged Great Britain and
France We're deliberately planning
t @ destruction of Germany" and
that those governments. "by deceit
and trickery." were molding public
opinion in their countries prepara-
tory to "crippling Germany beyond
the crushing effect of the lrs' treaty"
He said he had lost all confidence
in the PLEDGES of the allies"
reTands for dock ard hnrbor ma
tciial in reparation for the sinking of
the internGd German fleet at Scapa
Flow ard the provision of the pro-
tocol empowering the ali s to enforce
the terms of the peace treaty. were
described by the German minister as
the two straws which have broken
the back of German endurance" The
fact that failure by the United states
to ratify the treaty may mean larger
from the other allies
on commissions established by the
pact, he said. was a reason for Ger
many to refuse to sign the protocol.
IF the absence of United States
means there VIII be
more Frenchmen on the commas
sions." he asserted, at would be IN
furious to German interests, and we
should not agree.
Berlin, Dec. 8.-The organ OF tne
independent socialists is the only
newspaper that advocates immediate
Welding to the entente, said tn SEMI
official Allfiemine G"zette today.
Elsewhere there is unanimlty
against 1t.