The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-13
Chancellor Says He Shudders to
See Brutal MilitariSm's Fruits.
Hearers Cheer When He Says
Peace Is Not Acceptable.
INDEPENDENTS READY TO SIGN
There's No Other Course, De-
clare Ebert Opponents.
Scheidemann Discusses POSsi-
bility of Change of Government.

Berlin, May 12.-"This peace is not
accepta ble." Chancellor Scheidemann
declared today, in a speech before the
national assembly.
With this utterance the audience
arose to its feet and cheered enthusi
astically for several minutes.
we are willing to sign peace, but
only a peace we can fulfill-one that
will leave US to work off and pay what
is just" said Scheidemann.
"Wc Will Not Fight
I'VE will not fight. We want peace.
We see with a shudder what brutal
militarism leads to, from the example
set by the entente.
I'VE want to save the naked life of
the country and the people. We are
unable to compare the peace terms
with Wilson's program. The world is
shorn of illusion and Wilson's picture
as bringer of peace has faded.
Means World Murder.
According to the terms, Germany
has ceased to exist abroad. Who, as
an honest man, is able to sign the
treaty as it now stands? None!
We want to negotiate. but millions
in all countries already are crying
aloud with murder plans. If this
treaty is signed not only will Ger
many's cadaver be lying on the battle
field of Versailles. but it will also be
joined by. that of the independency of
tree nations and their 1alIn IN the
ideals of the entente"
Scheidemann's speech was applaud
ed thruout except by the radicals.
Open opposition to the treaty by the
govern ment. as expressed by Scheide-
mann and others, is supplemented by
statements from various prominent
Germans.
IEdcmnitics Impossible.
Herr Won Gerlack, one of the lead
ing Democrats said that while he IA
vors signing the treaty he hopes the
league of nations will change the
hardest conditions afterward. He said
the indemnities are beyond Germanys S
ability to pay. The LARGEST part of the
lost territories is purC.y German, he
contended. and it's loss is calculated to
create German irredenta.
Doctor Stressman declared the
terms mean slavery and loss of indie
pendenoc. They are mockery of
President Wilson'S principles. on
which basis Germany surrendered, he
said. and forecasts that the result
would be the destruction of European
peace He declared lit should be the
life task of every German to revenge
this Unprecedented deception"
Wants Mineral Guarantee.
Emil Barth wants revision of the
treaty guaranteeing Germany fifteen
million tons of coal from Silesia, as
well a minimum amount of miner
ais from AlsaceL Lorraine.
Despite the present widespread and
spectacular campaign against signing
the II eaty, careful inquiries among
factional leaders has convinced the
correspondent that Germany will ac-
cept the terms when it comes to a
show down.
Commercial and Industrial leaders
consider the terms are more than the
maximum the allies expected, and
that the latter consequently will be
willing to bargain, with Wilson in the
role Of the bargainer.
The radicals declare the treaty
must be signed-and that world So
cialism will revise the terms later.
The strongest opposition to the
treaty appears to be in the eastern
provinces, especially in West Prussia
eSrams are being received here from
those districts, threatening armed re-
sistanCe if the government accepts the
article providing for the Polish corri-
dor. which would separate purely
German territory in East Prussia.
Change in Regime?
London, May 12.--The possibility OF
a Change in the government of Ger
many result of the presentation
of the allied peace terms was discussed
by Ph.lipp Scheidemann, German
chancellor at Berlin today, according tC
a dispatch to the Exchange Telegrap ph
Co. from that city. The chancellor
denounced the peace terms which he
said represented a brutal. dictated
peace" it is said.
I'VE thought that we social Demo
Gratis were strong enough to prevent
peace by violence but doubted
whether the masses in enemy countries
could support us because they are less
strongly organized than we
Certain circles in England and
France are beginning to advise the
necessity of common sense. 1t is toe
comic when President Wilson four
teen points are contrasted with the
peace terms. They do not mention
Mr.. Wilson's terms but it is doubtful
whether the allies would be satisfied
with such a government. A reaction
AIRY government is out of all question
and communist and independent gov
ernment would be acting for the peo-
pie of whom they would represent
only a small 1ninorit;. Even il such
government did sign the treaty ii
would be just as impossible for the m
to fulfill the conditions as it would
be for us
Nothing to Do But Sign"
Even if important changes are not
made by the negotia tions begun al
Versailles there remains no choice bui
to bow to compulsion and sign tn,
treaty" says an appeal of the central
committee of the independent Social.
ist party in the party organ, Die Frei.
heit, this morning.
Will Not Sign.
Basle, May 13.-The Berlin CORE.
spondent of the National Zeitunp re-.
ported today that Chancellor Scheide.
mann had informed Journalists the
German government will order its del.
esates not to sign the peace terms in
their present form.