The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-16
Germans Will Be Locked In
by Land and Sea on
Refusal.
PASSIVE STAND FORECAST
Are Expected to Adopt Tactics
Employed by Lenine at
Brest-LitOvsk.
by LAURENCE HILLS.
stag Correspondent Of The Sun.

ciuU Correspondent Oy IHE SUN.
Copyright. 1919; all rights reserved
PARIS, May 14.-Information which
the correspondent of The SUN re-
celved to-day from Versailles removes
almost the last lingering doubt that
six commissioners representing the
German Imperial Republic" will sign
the peace treaty when the proper time
comes. But signing the treaty and
observing it appear to be two differ
ent things so far as the German men-
tality Is concerned. The forecast Is
made to-day that the Germans will
sign, counting upon the lapse of time
to blunt the keenness Of allied unity,
40 they can wriggle out of one point
after another. 1t is also said that
the German delegation here now will
20 home one by one, to be replaced by
other delegates, who In the end will
sign the treaty.
These appear to be the principal
features of the German programme:
l. To prepare the German peo-
pie for the signing of the treaty
through manipulation Of the press
and official utterances while con-
tinuing their protests. to the Allies,
little result.
2 To ask for few additional
days grace after the expiration Of
the fifteen days to effect changes
In the delegation and the Govern
ment before the actual signing Of
the treaty.
3. To regard the treaty as the
Russians regarded that Of Brest-
LitOvsk, merely signing it as
Trotsky did that document, but at
the same time announcing that
they had no intention of keep
ing it.
Later Wars Looked For.
The Germans really believe that
the treaty cannot be executed. Hav-
ing no more real faith in the League
OF Nations than the Italians and
French at heart, they look forward
TO future jealousies and rivalrles,
which already are showing between
the Italians and the French, to work
out TO their advantage in the future,
believing that France eventually will
be left alone to secure the enforce
ment of the treaty, the other nations
reverting to their old policies.
But in the event that the Germans
refuse fatty to sign the treaty tele-
graphic orders will be sent to the al
He'd naval commanders to put into
effect Immediately blockade tighter
than any Germany experienced dur
Ing the period of active hostilities. A
memorandum prepared at Mondays
meeting Of the Economic Council, and
which is now before the Big Four,
provides for Germany being sealed
up absolutely tight twenty-four hours
after she has refused definitely to
sign the peace treaty. 1t will be a
vastly different blockade from the
one in effect prior to the armistice,
because then Germany never had lost
control of the Baltic Sea, and thus
was able to trade with all the Scandi-
havi0n countries and to maintain an
enormous fishing industry. The same
was true of Austria in the Adriatlc.
Moreover, the Allies were unable then
10 blockade Germany effectually by
hhd, Germany being able to trade
with Switzerland, Holland and Rus
STA
blockade to BE Complete.
Inc Allies now propose complete
eh'rcIement of Germany by land and
sea Allied fleets will Immediately
u"1tfihhe Il patrol Of the Baltic and
ule shores Of Germany, even stopping
me hShing industry. The Adriatic
VIII be closed entirely. And then the
"N'ea armies, regardless of whether
t'"y 70 TO Berlin, will take up posi-
C"hS along the French and Swiss
I''llers while the Polish, Czech and
hnin'nian armies guard the eastern
'I"n'i"rS Of the country. The plan
q the Economic Council provides for