GERMAN CHANCELLOR ON THE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 61, 12 March 1915, Page 7

GERMAN CHANCELLOR ON THE WAR.

SUPPLIES AND FUNDS PLENTIFUL.

Th Imperial Chancellor, Dr. yon Beth-mann-Hollweg, received a correspondent of the Associated Press (an American eervice), at Berlin, on January 26, and epoke openly on the Belgian rt-jjef situation, the question of contraband, the way in which industrial Germany has adapted herself to war conditions, the sentiment of Germany toward her enemies and toward America and on the responsibility {or the war, which he. attributes to Great Britain.

"I did not want this war," was one of his phrases, given with etriking emphasis. "We Germans do not cherish hate," was another, occurring in a discussion of the attitude of the Germane toward the French soldiers and people. The Chancellor declared that Germany had enough copper, oil, rubber and similar supplies in spite of the British interference with ocean commerce, and that his country had funds enough to continue the war to the end. SHOWS STRAIN OF THE WAR. Four months end α-nalf of war have not passed lightly over the Chancellor. In his uniform of lieutenant-general, with grizzled, close-cropped beard, and wearing iron crosses, first and second class, he seemed much older than the scholarly, frock-coated statesman of Reichstag debates. Face and eyes showed signs of the strain of the last few months.

He spoke with confidence of ultimate German victory, although a weary, expressive shrug of the shoulders was his answer to a query as to the possible duration of the war. The Chancellor

had only that afternoon received word that bis son, a young cavalry lieutenant, had been badly wounded and captured in Poland 'by the Russians; but of this he made no mention when stating the situation on the eastern front appeared to be very favourable. CALLS CENSORSHIP UNJUST. The interview took place in the reception room of the historic Chancellor mansion in the Wilhelmstraege. The conversation turned first to news conditions and the difficulties of presenting the Geman side of the situation to American readers. The Chancellor regretted that, owing to the British and French censorship and control of the cables, the German point of view had not been adequately presented in the United States. He felt thi s to be a great injustice. "Since the English have the possibility of getting the truth about themselves and their allies out," he asked, "why should they object to letting a little truth out about Germany?" "We shall," remarked the Chancellor, "shortly issue full reports of the earlier battles, as, for example, the Battle of Tannenberg, that on the Masurian Lakes and the battle on the Marne." To a remark on how little was known abroad concerning Tannenberg, he rejoined quickly: "One of the greatest battles in history! One of the greatest? The greatest, I should say."