GENERAL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6968, 28 January 1918, Page 3

GENERAL.

GERMAN CHANCELLOR

ADDRESSES REICHSTAG.

Terms of Speech Settled by

"Big Four"

Australian and IS Z Cable Assoc Kec Jan 20, 11 a ra Amsterdam, Jan 25 The Kaiser presided at a si feting of the Crown Council, at- which General yon Hindenburg, General Ludendorff (Chief of Staff), Baron yon Hertling (Chancellor) and Dr yon Kuhiinanii (Foreign Minister) settled the terms of Hertliog's speech. Hertling, addressing the main committee of the Reichstag, said : Negotiations at Brest Litovsk were proceeding slowly and with difficulty, but he clung to the hope that the coming agreement with the Russians and the negotiations with the Ukrainians would continue favourably and he hoped soou to couclude a treaty mutually satisfactory, especially from the ecouoinic~ point of view. The period ia which the Entente Powora might have co-operated in general peace negotiations expired on January 6, after which Germany waa free to proceed with separate negotiations with Russia, Mr Lloyd George and President Wilson had since announced war aims, Mr Lloyd George showed an alteration, no longer abusing aod showing an iuoliDatioa to negotiate, but not showiug an earnest desire for peace. Mr Lloyd George, while ap preciating Germany's political and economic cultivated position, adjudges her guilty of the utmost possible crimes. We cannot undej stand such feeling. The Chancellor reviewed the situation before the war, stating thdbD the alliance with Austria was purely defensive and had never been misused for aggressive purposes. He declared that the late King Edward Vil endeavoured to create au enemy ••o;»!ii»uu. President Wilson's toue jid'.i changed since leplyiug to the Pope, when he tried to pow dissension between^the German Government and the people. Ho no longer talks of an autocratic German Government suppressing the people and does notrepeat his attacks on the House of Hohenzollern. Belgium and Northern France. Australian and N Z Cable Assoc. Rec Jan 27, .5.5 p m Amsterdam Jan 20 Hertling, continuing, said: "Until the enemy unconditionally concedes the Central Powers territorial integrity 1 shall reject all proposals to remore the Belgian question from the joiut general negotiation;;, -Northern France is a valuable puwu in Get-, many'a hauds.' (iermauy di.l nut winh for viol-rut anue^aliuu, but the | conditions of evacuation must bb | arranged between France and GerI many. There could not be any talk lof etding Alsace-Lorraine, which was

German in 1789, whan France incorporated ii, and 87 per ceut of the population vow speak German." The Freedom of the Seas. Hertling, in -welcoming Presideut Wilson's reference to the freedom of the sea*, said it was of the highest importance that England should abandon Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Hongkong, the Falkland Islands and other strong naval points d'appui. The settlement of Poland must be arranged by Germany and Austria alone. League of Nations Proposal. Hertling said he did not anticipate difficulties respecting open diplomacy for the demolition of trade barriers, and reduction of armaments, Germany was ready to discuss the basis of a League of Nations when all other questions were settled. President Wilson's and Mr *Lloyd George's statements contain certain principles for a world peace, to which Germany can also agree; and which can form points for negotiation, but where concrete questions are concerned the Allies" will for peace is less ob"servable. They sppak as a conqueror to the conquered. The actual situation is: "Our position wfs never so favourable. If our enemies force us to continue they must take the consequence?. It the Allies' alter the programme of peace we will test it earnestly, for our aim is to reconstruct a durable general peace. Tins is impossible while the lasting integricy of the Germau empire and the becurity of its vital interests and the dignity of the Fatherland are not ensured, Hertling bays Germany Cannot go Under. Hertling concluded : " Our motto is to remain together and calmly await events. We are entirely agreed in this aim. There may be varying opinions as to the methods aud conditions, but through all the differences let us be ever mindful of the Fatherlaud's welfare and a good peace will and shall come. The German workers know how to differentiate between the realities of life and fantastic dreams. Such a nation cannot go under. God is with us and will remain with us.:) (Cheers). German Dreams of Eastern Extens' Australian and JST| Rec Jan 'M Pef Hoffman brutailyg many' 9 terms of pet uvsk. He stated | future eastern front! Riga, through Vtf Brest. A Russian | What would bopp<§ fused? Hoffman ie| a Russian port in tl| — would be reoccup| Hoffman added: -'I daries ara arranged! and Ui© Ukraine." I It appears that Gp mised the Ukraine jj at Ifca uxpanse of | conditional on the jt breadatufFs to Getmf Criticism by a Sa i ~l Australian and H Rec Jan 2/j Copij The leadcr3 of jj aud National If HertUug. I Herr Scheidem;) Member, said he re) ling had not re Wilson's messages claration teudiug clared definitely thj must remain Geri ' The submarine H cessful and has on into the war. Hi wrong tone at Bvei Arrogant Deceive t] I Australian and £» Rec Jan % Wa^ Hertling's speel indicating that t{ control German dip gant claims are ii the world and Gei ness and desire foil Count Czernin's preted as meaning not rely on Austrii of conquest Tl peace remoter. ; absolutely to Fi.-csi aims. \ Austria Agrees Wilson' Australian aud! Rec Jan j Count Czernin,; Minister, states:! polaDd shall decid| question must Dot? day. The interpj pltt'a right of iii

diffcienca between tuissva mm vjkimany, bat a compromise r-iuat be reached. The difference i 3 not sufficient la cause a cessation of negotiations. When peace with Rus?ia is secured a worli peace cannot-be prevented. President Wilson's speech ie an important advance towards the Austrian standpoint, but Austria would support Gormaty and Turkey to the utmost, Austria will reject all advice on domestic affairs, Austria end America prHclicilly agree on the great principles of a new world settlement after the war and our views on several concerto peace questions approach agreement. Our differences are insufficient to prevent a complete agreement. Exchanges of Austrian and American viows might form a starting point for conciliatory discussion between all the States which have not yet entered hi to negotiation?. Australian and N Z Gable Assoc Reo Jan 28,.8 45 a m JN'ew* York, Jau 27 A United Fress telegram from Home reports thet the Vatican regards Count Czernia'a speech as a ponilive gtep towards peace.