ABSTRACT
The Labour member of the Cabinet, George Barnes, as well as Botha and the South African Delegation were refusing to sign the present Treaty without certain alterations. The whole of them had unanimously agreed that, unless certain defects in the Treaty were put right, they would not advise that the British Army should be allowed to march, or that the British Navy should take part in the blockade. Those consulted were a very fair representation of all sections of the Cabinet, Conservatives and Unionists, Labour and a moderate Liberal, H. A. L. Fisher, who carried great weight. They had read all the documents, and several had expressed surprise that the German counter-proposals had gone so far in concessions to the Allies. The Allied and Associated Powers therefore require a declaration from the German Delegation within five days from the date of this communication that they are prepared to sign the Treaty as it stands today.
