30th June 1919.

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Exclusive: Germany Tells The Sun About Her Views On The Versailles Settlement.
  Just days after the signing of the treaty of Versailles Germany speaks about its views, worries and future to The Sun.
The treaty was signed on the 28th June 1919 (two days ago) and whilst we believe Germany received what it deserved, it is clear that the Germans think that it is far too harsh and see the treaty as vindictive.
President Ebert of Germany said to us in a private interview "We believed that the treaty was to be a fair one, based on Wilson's Fourteen Points which would have been the best way to end this awful war. The treaty that we have is one that is unjust. Clemenceau's appetite for revenge now means that Germany is to become so weak I fear what may happen in the future." Ebert then continued to tell us of the terms within the treaty that have angered the Germans. They were clause 231, the War Guilt Clause, which states Germany is responsible for the outbreak of the war and the destruction the war caused. He argued that it was Russia whose armies advanced on Germany that triggered the outbreak of the war. Also, the reparations bill angered Germany. Although the exact amount has not yet been fixed, Germany knows that it is
going to be a sum that will be almost impossible to pay off.
Thirdly, Germany is particularly angered over the loss of 13% of its 1914 territory, 7.3million people and all of her overseas colonies. "We have lost so much," said Ebert "Our economy may never recover after we have lost the Saar, Eupen and Malmedy, all very important industrial areas. It is estimated that we are losing 75% of our iron and zinc deposits, 28% of our coal and 17% of our grain and potato production."
It is true that Germany is going to suffer. The Big Three at the talks had different views, so it was never going to be a treaty based solely on President Wilson's Fourteen Points.
Ebert told us that Germany is in a state of turmoil. He says that the German people feel threatened by the power of the French; they feel that their country is no longer in their hands. "We wanted a fair treaty, and got nothing of the sort," he said. "The German population feels angry and in part, humiliated by the terms. This treaty does not stand for right. It is a dictated peace that will provoke fresh hatred between the nations. This peace will not be a peace that will last."