Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-06-18

OF the Catholic labor party and he
looks and talks like snaightfor-
ward business man, devoid of diplo-
matte subtlety, He said he would not
or could not sign any peace contract
| which he knew would not or could not
be kept. I gathered further from him
that the German Versailles delegates
are all alike, unWavering, ana that
the Berlin government knows its
mind and is In complete agreement in
! all essential matters affecting the
treaty, including that of signing or
not signing. His individual views GER
tainly seem to be shared by the dele
cation in Versailles.
Speaking particularly of the proNi-
sions for the control of the German
waterways and railroads and the
powers OF the reparatons commits
sions, Herr Giesberts said the signing
OF the present treaty would mean the
end of Germany as an independent
state, and any German who would
sign such a document would, in his
view, do so in fun realization that
he was signing the death warrant of
his country.
Put Cards on Table.
Tn his estimation honesty is not
only the best but the only policy pos
sible for Germany, and that the only
hope and chance for the German dele
cation in Versailles will come from
laying all the cards on the table face
up. This is the plan, he says of Count
Brockdorff Rantzau, and the entire
delegation stands with him unaltera-
bly,.
"Our delegation" he said to me
lis composed of men from the prac-
teal walks of life, professional men,
financiers business men and repre-
sentatives of commerce and industry.
We have not let ourselves be mis'ed
into PLAYING one ally against another
or in trying to sow dissensions among
them.
AT our first meeting after the re-
ceipts of the proposals Of the allies, in
discussing what attitude we should
take toward them, we decided unani-
mously to break clean from the shiftY
practices and intriguings of old-style
diplomacy"
Long French Gamble.
France is gambling on a long
chance he explains, IF our pro-
posals are accepted Germany can and
Will ftth Us DIOIliStS " pay UP "
100, 006. 100000 marks. AS a free ma
ton Germany will be able to carry
this colossal and unhead-of
performance, hard as it may prove to
be. Out of a Germany that is not free
it will not be possible to squeeze any
thing like 100000 900, 900. x German
workers would say, What's the use ="
and would do only just enough work
to keep alive"
Herr Giesbert's declaration that he
will sign nothing that dannot be car
ried out is actuated by a reason ! had
not previously heard advanced in any
quarter, namely, that after the sign
ing of peace America will pull out OF
practical European politics. leaving
Germany at the complete mercy of
France and England. He said Ameri-
cans had suggested to him that the
best thing for Germany would be to
sign the terms prepared by the con-
ference. and count on revision after
ward, to meet such circumstances as
may arise.
If the treaty were only between
Germany and Americans" he com
ments. Il would say, Yes, let us sign
right away for | know that American
! am sure America would
enforce the terms with humanity and
and that when it be-
came clear the terms could not be
met, America would readily assent