From the archives 100 years ago.

The Germans have made their first move to test the resolution of the Allies.

They have sent strongly worded notes to M Clemenceau on the terms of peace presented to them, These Notes, published in the South Wales Argus on Saturday, have drawn firm and immediate response from the Allied and Associated Powers.

The draft of the Treaty, says Count Brockdorff-Rantzau in one of these Notes "contains demands which no nation could ensure. Moreover, our experts hold that many of them could not possibly be carried out."

The Note also complains that on "essential point the basis of the peace of right agreed upon" has been abandoned and that the promise "to the German people and the whole of mankind" is rendered history.

In their answer to this document the Allies declare that the Treaty has been drawn up with "constant thought" of the principles to which the Germans appeal and point out that "they can admit no discussion of their right to insist upon the terms of the peace substantially as drafted".

Count Rantzau has also submitted a German programme for a League of Nations, protesting that Germany is required to sign the statute of the League as part of the Peace Treaty, though she is not mentioned among the States invited to join it.

In reply the Allies point out that the admission of additional members to the League is provided for in the Covenant.

Count Rantzau is said to be disturbed at the anger caused in Allied countries by his behaviour in remaining seated when delivering his speech at the presentation of the Peace Terms last Wednesday.

he now explains through his secretary that he did not rise because he was so overcome by emotion that he did not feel master of it.

The German National Assembly met on Monday to discuss the peace terms and it was expected that Scheldemann, the premier, would announce the Government's views in details.

The count is said to have announced to M. Clemenceau his almost immediate return to Berlin in order to consult with his Government.

Germany and the League

Berlin, Sunday- the German, semi-official Wolff Bureau issues the following: M Clemenceau's reply to the German note regarding the stipulations of the Peace Treaty, although it appears formally to reject any fundamental discussion of the Peace Draft, implies in fact renewed adherence to the agreement of October 5, 1918, and November 1918. Moreover, it hints that practical proposals may be made for negotiations on different chapters.