The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-13
Erzberger Expected to Head
New Government and
Sign Treaty.
WILSON WILL REMAIN
Allies Look for Speedy Over
throw Of Ebert Regime
and Reorganization.
FRANCE NEARS A CRISIS
Spread Of Strikes Believed to
Be Due to COllusiOn Between
Labor and Germans.
FRANCE NEARS A CRISIS
By LAURENCE HILLS.
Sfa6 Correspondent Of TIE suN.

Copyright. 1919: all rights reserved.
PARIS, June 12.-While the allied
answer to Germany's counter pro-
posals may not be ready until Satur-
day, interest has shifted to Versailles,
The Council Of Three, II Is said, now
expect a German revolution, with a
new Government.
1t is known that there will be few
changes in the text of the treaty,
and these of a minor nature. The
alterations will not be material and
will not constitute basis for any
German claim Of having scored a
diplomatic victory. The question now
Is whether the Germans will regard
the long explanatory letter now be-
ing framed as sufficiently satisfactory
to make the treaty signable.
The French and British undoubt-
edly are getting much secret informa-
ton from Germany, and this informa-
ton Is the basis Of the belief now
entertained by the Big Three that
the present German Government will
not sign and that the allied answer
to the German suggestions will pre-
cipitate revolution, which in turn
will end with a new Government in
Germany, headed by Matthias Erzber-
ger. head Of the Armistice Commits
sion. This new Government, 1t Is
believed, will sign the treaty.
Wilson May Remain.
How long 1t will be before the new
Government can be installed is a mat
ter of speculation, but 1t Is believed
now that the revolution will follow
almost Immediately and that the re-
suit will be known within five days.
If the indications point to the sue
cess of the revolution President VIII
son will remain In Paris to await
developments.
The situation In allied circles Is
very tense. The Allies are now de-
termined after ten days discussion to
stand by the treaty text, but at the
same time to make long explanation
designed to appease German resent
ment and correct misinterpretations
with regard to certain clauses. Draft
ing this letter is difficult task, even
though the main points have been
determined. 1t is not likely that the
letter will go forward until Satur-
day, which would make next Thurs
day the crucial day. While this does
not mean that the Germans must sign
by Thursday, It does mean that they
must indicate their intentions by that
date.
II Count Rantzau announces at the
end of the fifth day that a few days
more will be necessary in order to
get an expression from the German
Assembly the feeling here Is that the
additional time would he granted.
Hint OF ColIusion.
Undoubtedly the Allies are very
loath to undertake military opera
tiOns against the Germans under pres
ent conditions. The gravity of the
political situation in France cannot
he overemphasized. The calling Of a
general strike at the very time when
the Germans are debating their an
swer seems more than a coincidence,
and by many 1t Is hinted that there
is collusion between the labor leaders
| and the Germans.
1t is generally admitted that the Al
lies are much worse off as the result
of the last ten days delay. Strikes
have broken out all over France, and
this has caused an upheaval in the
political situation which is hourly
getting worse. The French Conserva-
tlves are fearful that Premier Clemen-
ceau will be unable to control the
situation anything can happen here
| now.
In the meantime other questions
are pressing for settlement, particu-
lnrly the Hungarian problem. The
Allies are about to fix the boundaries
Of Hungary, after which they will
tell Bella Kun he must keep within
them. 1t is now reported that Gen.
Mackensen is leading the Hunga rian
Red armies. The trouble now Is that
the Allies appear to lack the physical
means Of enforcing their own DEGREES.
The people nll over Europe want
peace and are opposed 10 military
measures Of any kind.
In the expected lull while the Ger.