The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-12-09
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ATTITUDE Is soFTEN1NG
by Henry Wood. United Press Staff
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by Henry Wood, United Press Staff
! Correspondent
| PARIS, Dec. 9-The allies today
presented a united front to Germany
/ in their demand that she accept the
! protocol to the peace treaty.
| Both British and Italian delegates
| received notifications from their gov
ernments that they stand ready to
carry out the prescribed penalties
! should the Teutons refuse to sign.
! Meantime there was a feeling OF
/ confidence in both Paris and London
i that Germany will sign. The Ger
mans, it was believed, have con-
| cluded that the failure Of the United
States to ratify the treaty has not
put the allies in position where
they are forced to back down upon
their original demands.
I A distinct softenfng in the German
attitude was apparent.
I'VE have no false hopes over the
situation in Washington" one mem
Der of the German peace delegation
admitted. He insisted Germany's at
titude toward the protocol never had
been based on hope that the United
States would come into the breach in
behalf of the German republic.
I'VE know that Senator Lodge is no
friend of Germany the peace dele
gate admitted.
The allies demand in the notes de-
| livered to Baron Kurt Won Lersner,
head of the German delegation here,
! late yesterday, were considered as at
once a partial meeting Of German OBJ
! iections and as voicing complete de-
/ termination OF the allies to stand by
| their course Of justice, no matter how
harsh it be to the Germans.
The Scapa Flow note, which agreed
| to submit this matter to the repara-
tions committee in a spirit OF
equity" was regarded as partial
concession 10 Germany.
The return of German prisoners OF
war. however, was denied. This has
been one of Gemany's bitterest COM
plants. The allied demand for sur
render of Germans guilty Of crimes
. gainst the rules of civilized warfare
also is renewed.
| The supreme council yesterday re-
considered the petitions Of Brazil and
Uruguay that they be allowed to keep
! interned German ships which have
! been In their hands during the war.
The American delegation, it was un-
derstood. supported the South Ameri-
! cans contentious, which are based
largely on the fact that the United
States was awarded certain interned
ships which had been in her posses
sion.
British Poured Oil.
LONDON, Dec. 9.-Credit for the
attitude finally adopted toward Ger
MANY in the supreme councils notes
on the protocol was given to the
British delegates here today. The
French wished to deliver harsh ul-
timatum to the German delegates, 1t
was stated, but were restrained by the
british who finally insisted the mat
ter he passed upon by the British cabi-
net.
Great Britain Is willing to rediscuss
the Scapa Flow sinking and the con-
seouent allied demands for repara-
tions in the form of German marine
materials. 1t was stated, but is anxious
to dispose of exchange OF ratii1catlons
to the peace treaty so that time may
be devoted to other pressing problems.
The notes, it was emphasized IN Of
ficial circles here, are Germanys 8
final invitation to conclude peace II
the demands made in them are not
complied with, the supreme council
then will work out a future policy
which may or may not specify the
use of armed force.
An economic blockade, 1t was
pointed out, might be cheaper and
more effectual than military meas
ures.