The sun., 1919-06-23
Premier Bauer Serves No
tice People Cannot Be Ex-
pected to Obey Terms.
BEYOND LIMIT. HE SAYS
Protests Against Dismem-
bermemt of Empire and
Uhbearable Burden.
CONFIDENCE VOTED HIM
New Cabinet Leaves Issue to
Assembly, Which Yields as
Being Helpless.
CONFIDENCE VOTED HIM
By the Associated Press.

BERLIN, June 22.-Germany will
sign the peace treaty of the allied
and associated Powers. The National
Assembly this afternoon by n vote OF
237 TO 1873 decided 10 sign the peace
treaty. Five members abstained
from voting The assembly also voted
confidence in the new Government of
Herr Bauer. 236 to 80. Sixty-eight
members abstained from voting.
Before the vote of confidence was
taken Herr Bauer, the new Premier.
said the Government would sign the
treaty, but without acknowledging
the responsibility Of the German peo-
pie for the war and without accept
ing the obligations contained in Ar
ticles 227 to 230 in the treaty relat-
ing 10 the trial Of the ex.Emperor
and the extradition of other German
personages.
Gives Notice of Protest.
In announcing the decision OF the
Government TO sign the peace terms
Premier Bauer said before the Ma
tional Assembly at Weimar to-day:
THE allied and associated Powers
cannot expect the German people 10
agree from inner conviction TO q peace
instrument whereby. without the
populations being consulted, living
members are severed from the Gel-
man Empire. German sovereignty per-
manently violated and unbcarabIe
economic and financial burdens I'M.
posed upon the German people
The distress of the land and Of
the people has brought us together.
We could not refuse cooperation un-
less we desired to run the risk of
leaving Germany prey TO chaotic
State, without Government and hope
less of salvation. You will believe me
when l say we are not here to stand
for the interests of our own party and
still less to satisfy our ambitions.
I'VE are here from the sense OF
duty to save that which is salvable."
Programme to BE Unchanged.
Having expressed regret for the
action of the Democrats, Herr Bauer
formally presented the new Ministers
and announced that the Cabinets gen-
eral programme would remain iden-
tical to that of the Scheidemann Min
istry.
Coming to the question of signing
the treaty, Herr Bauer said:
The Imperial Government only too
well understands that it faces the
enemy's terms. Exalted indignation
carries away individuals and the com
munity and tries to find vent, but IL
on assuming my heavy Office | may
make request it is this: Do not al
low the question Of acceptance or re-
lection to become a party matter. Do
not misjudge the advocates of rejec-
ton us Chauvinists, pursuing selfish
aims, or the advocates Of acceptance
under dire necessity as towards or
weaklings. void of the national sense
of justice.
ION both sides are weighty rea sous
which no responsible man can over
look. A decision must be taken-the
time for reflection is past. The hour
for action has arrived, and in it each
of you bears responsibility.
Must Waive Party Feeling.
The Imperial Government is con
scious that despite all manifestations
Of confidence it can in the eyes of the
nation and history only have one i>al
justification, namely, ruthlessly 10
take a decision after the examination
of the facts and responsibility with
out an eye on party feelings"
Affirming that by signing the treaty
under reserve the Government yielded
to force 10 spare suffering Germany
from a new war and disruption Of ma
tional unity by further occupation.
starvation for the women and chill
dren and an unmerciful longer reten-
tion Of German prisoners, Herr Bauer
continued:
But the Government expects in
. view of the stupendous burden thus
assumed, that all military and civil
ian prisoners will be returned without
I interruption beginning July |,
Al this solemn moment the Gov