Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-03
GERMANY DECIDES
SHE WILL NOT SIGN
TREATY PROTOCOL
Sharp Change in Sentiment
Indicated by Notice 70
Paris Conference[
U. S. FAILURE TO RATIFY
SAID TO HAVE INFLUENCE
Berlin Resists Indemnity Ordered
for Sinking Fleet; Opposes
Trial Of Officers.
by the Associated i'rass.

by the Associated I-ress
PARIS. Deccm Der 3.-Germanv n.
wiling TO sign the protocol putting
the peace treaty into effect the mo-
ment certain clauses objectionable
10 her In the protocol are eliminate
Cd baron Kurt Won Lersner, head
of the German delegation here.
told the Associated Press this aft
ernOOn.
When the German pIenipOteu-
tfary was shown the statement Civ
EN- out this morning TINT on Mon
DAY ne had informed Paul Dutnsta,
secretary of the peace conference,
that Germany had decided not to
sign the protocol, Baron Won Lers-
ner said:
81 have full powers to sign the
proctor and am ready to sign ID ut
any moment when the question of
Scapa Flow In eliminated and re-
ferred to The Hague. and when
therc also are eliminated the para
graph relating to the evacuation
OF Lfthunnia. which we consider
already SETTLED and final, and the
paragraph which would permit the
invasion of our country by armed
force in times of peace on any
trivial pretext."
Baron Won Lersner pointed out
that this WIS the first time he had
received newspaper correspond
ent here. He said he was CONSENT
ing to talk i'm this instance only
because he thought that nm err
rOneOus Impression was being Gre
many's intention.
"We have represented to the
supreme cOunciI.- he continued,
"what we consider ample proofs
that the German government In mot
responsible for the sinking of the
ships Mt Scnpa Flow, and yet in
order not to delay the final con-
clusiOn Of peace we will submit the
matter to The Hague tribunal
The German plenipOtentiary
pointed out that the paragraphs of
the protocol to which his govern
ment objected were additions to
the protocol as provided for In the
peace treaty. While 1T was not
true, he said, that Germany WINS
seeking to profit from any cfrcum-
stances to delay making the peace
effective, she did not consider 1t
possible to sign the additional
clauses to the protocol uncondi-
ti0nal1y.
PARIS. December 3.-Germany -ha,
decided not to sign the protocol pre-
scented to her by the allies as a con
dition for putting the peace treat!
into effect. the peace conference ha!
been notified.
1t was learned today that Baror
Burt Won Lersner. head of the Ger
man delegation here, called on Sec
rotary Dutasta of the conference OF
and told him that Germany
had made such a decision.
u. s. Influence Discussed.
This attitude is taken as confirm.
ing reports of sharp reaction ir
Germany within the last fortnight
Trained observers of German devel'
opmentS have expressed to members
of the peace conference the view
that there has been a complete trans
formation of the situation in Ger
many and that it is due to the fail
ure of he United States Senate Il
ratify the peace treaty.
These observers declare that while
the vast majority of the Germans
before the Senate's adjournment, de-
sired the peace treaty ratified as soor
as possible. they are now supporting
the governments attitude in resist
ing the demands of the allies for in
demnity for the sinking of the Ger
man fleet at Scapa Flow, recompens'
for which was provided in the pro
tocol
Trial of Ohcers.
The question upon which the Ger.
man representatives here, however
appear most sensitive is the insist.
ence upon the trial of German ON.
GERS accused of the commission OF
crimes in France and Belgium.
Thus far. it is stated, no indications
have reached Paris Of any disposition
On the part of the Germans to modify
their attitude.
The supreme council today address.
ed note to Germany protesting
against the increase of Germany'i
armament. contrary to the provisions
Of the peace treaty.