The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-06
Scheidemann Predicts New
Government Which Can
not Last Long.
WOULD BEOVERTURNED
Says Either Militarists or
Communists Would Seize
German Reins.
MANKIEWITZ HOPELESS
MANKIEwITZ HOPELESS
Managing Director of Deutsche
Bank Styles Reparation Com
mission as Unacceptable.
By KARL II. Won wIEGANn.
Stdr Correspondent Of TEE suS.

Stdr Correspondent Of TIE SUI
Copyright. 1919: all richts -eserred.
BERLIN. June (delayed) The
German Government as now consti-
tuted will not sign the peace treaty
unless material changes are made.
If the German counter proposals. are
rejected and the allied and associated
Premiers decline to make modiflca-
tions there will be no signing.
Speculation on the probable course
of the German Government in the
event Of allied insistence upon the
original terms would seem to be set
at rest by the unqualified statement
made to me to-day by Chancellor
Scheidemann.
Speaking for myself" said Herr
Scheidemann. under no circtm-
stances will I attach my signature 10
the treaty unless it is materially
changed"
The one time compositor, now Chan
cellor Of the new Germany, had Just
returned from a conference with the
former harness maker, Ebert, now
President. He spoke slowly and de-
liberately, as If weighing every word.
Makes Positive Refusal.
II have been consistent throughout
the war;" he said. II fought In the
Reichstag for peace Of reconciliation
based on President Wilson's prlnci.
pies. for which | was bitterly at
tackled: I will be consistent to the
last. The peace now laid before
Germany Is not a Wilson peace. 1t
Is not the peace that before the world
he in the name of America promised
the German people. I cannot sign II
as 1t now stands, because such an
act would not be compatible with my
position heretofore, nor reconcilable
with my conscience.
II will frankly admit to you that
| want to sign a treaty Of peace, but
not a treaty that would mean the
ruin and destruction OF all that is
left of Germany"
With gesture of both hands he
continued: perhaps some one else
may he found to take my place who
can bring himself to sign, but unless
the conditions are materially altered
cannot and will not place my sigma.
ture to the treaty"
! suggested that refusal to sign
might bring even worse conditions
upon Germany.
MY attitude" said Herr Scheide.
mann, "is that II I knew I would be
murdered for my refusal ] still would
not give either my approval or my
signature 70 this treaty. No matter
how hopeless the outlook I will not
sign this treaty"
| had gone to see the Premier
about another matter and was sur
prised therefore when he volunteered
these statements.
The imminence and probable reply
Of the Allies to the German counter
proposals fills the press here, over
shadowlng the attention that is being
paid to the Rhine separatist move
ment. Herr Scheidemann was very
bitter toward what he called the
political immortality" OF the French
military authorities. whom he accuses
of instigating the eeparatist move
ment in the Rhine regions at a time
when peace exchanges are taking
place. The Chancellor asserted that
The Germans who were active in the
Rhine movement were chiefly war
profiteers, who are seeking a way
out Of paying their share OF repara-
ton.
The Premier added 1t was neces-
sary to differentiate sharply between
two currents in the separatst move
ment.
lone Of them" he said, "is a iusti-
fable aspiration toward autonomy by
persons in all parties who unquall.
fedly are loyal to Germany, hut de-
mand that what now constitute prov.
inces become independent states
within the framework of the German
Republic. The other movement is led
by men who are unknown politically
and have no party or organization
behind them and who to a large de-
gree are war profteers. With these
are others who Immediately threw
themselves into the arms Of the oc.