Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-06-19
Unofficial Reports Say Members
of the Cabinet and High Off.
cials Consider Peace Terms
Are Extremely Hard
PRESS REFLECTS GLOOM
Papers Take Dark View Of Final Out
come whether Germany Signs or
Not-Schefdemann Advises Cabinet
to Have "Open Mind"
(By the Associated Press)

Nothing official has yet become known
as to what action the German govern
ment will take with regard to the peace
treaty. At Weimar the document has
been placed before the national as
sembly's peace commission and is being
studied carefully.
Unofficial reports are that there is great
dissatisfaction on the part Of the mem
bers Of the German cabinet and high
German officials over what are considered
the extremely hard terms asked of Ger
many. 1t is asserted that a large majority
of the members of the cabinet are op-
posed to signing the treaty, but are fear
full of reign of Bolshevism and con-
sequent chaos in the country should they
decline to meet the wishes of the allies
German newspapers commenting on the
situation take dark view of the final
outcome whether Germany signs or not
Those who oppose signing let their
pessimism run to the extent of expeo ting
a resumption of hostilities Monday on
the part of the allies if the armistice is
permitted automatically to end.
While there is nowhere any indication
that If circumstances compel the allied
troops to advance further into Germany
there necessarily will be fighting, the
American, British and French troops
will be prepared for any eventuality.
1t is purposed If a further invasion be-
comes necessary that the troops shall
march into Germany in battle formation
in readiness for anything the Germans
have to offer.
Meanwhile the period of waiting upon
the Germans at Weimar continues and
unofficial speculation everywhere Is rife
as to what they will do. Philip Scheide-
mann. head of the German cabinet, in
addressing the peace commission OF the
national assembly, admitted that the
assembly and the government were con-
fronted with a most momentous decision,
which should be approached with an en-
tirely open mind.
With President Wilson in Belgium and
David Lloyd George. the British pre-
mier, visiting the battle fields around
Verdun, the council of foreign ministers
and the Supreme Economic Council were
the only sections of the peace confer
ence in Paris at work Wednesday. The
Polish Ukrainian situation and details
as to the occupation of Danzig by the
Poles were under discussion by the for
eign ministers, while the economic
councils deliberations concerned the re-
sumption of trade relations with Ger
many and financing of food supplies for
Austria.
Released Spartacan and communist
prisoners have attempted to force their
way into the castle at Weimar. where
members of the German government have
their headquarters. They were repulsed.
1t is believed to have been their inten-
ton to seize President Ebert, Premier
Schiedemann and Minister of Defense
Noske.
An attempt by French sailors, who car
ried the red flag, to release from the
| prison in Brest a number Of their COM
rades who recently mutinied in the
Black sea also failed. The situation at
Brest is declared to be serious