SPEECH BY THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2741, 8 April 1916, Page 5

SPEECH BY THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR

"THE SPEECHES OF OUR ENEMIES"

"BATTLE OF VERDUN WILL TEACH THEM''

By Telegrraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Rec. 'April 7, 8.25 p.m.)

London, April 6. The German Imperial Chancellor (Herr von Bethmann-Holhveg), in the course of the most comprehensive speech he has delivered since the war, said that he could not understand any intelligent man sharing their enemies 1 hope of starving Germany. "The 1915 harvest was poor," ho said, "yet the country possesses excellent corn and bread reserves, while the prospects for tho next harvest are better than for years past. England continues, despite America's protests, to tighten the starvation blockade, contrary to international law. AVe respect neutrals' legitimate interests, but our right to take reprisals against our enemies must be acknowledged. "The speeches by our enemies show no trace of any readiness for peace. Mr. Asquith says that the complete and final destruction of Prussia's military power must be the first condition of peace negotiations. Our only Teply to such peace conditions is the sword. I f our enemies want to continue the killing of men and the devastation of Europe, then, the blame is theirs. Our aim is to unite to protect Germany so strongly that nobody will again be tempted to attempt^to destroy us: wc will compel the .world to recognise pur right to free development. We entered the war in self-defence, but things have since changed, and we'can not Hum back now. We will shatter the menace involved by the British_ thr oat' of a lasting commercial war. "Tlie more violent our enemies' speeches become the harder will be our blows. The situation is not in accordance with their expectations..The. Dardanelles campaign was a failure. Our enemies declare that we are hearing the end of our military strength. Tbo battle of Verdun will teach them better. We look to the future with full and growing confidence." Incidentally Herr von Bethmani Hollweg stated that he had expressed his readiness to enter into peace negotiations on September- 9 last, but the enemy had declined. "When our enemies speak of the destruction of Prussia's military power, they mean that- they wish to destroy our united and free Germany, in order that we may afiain-become as helpless as we were centuries ago, and exposed to our neighbours' lust and power. Everywhere wo see the enemy's brutal rage of annihilation and presumptious determination to cripple seventy million people. These threats will be shattered, but the enemy must not forget that the imore violent their words, the harder our blows." , • ' Referring to Belgium, he said: "We will create effective guarantees that Belgium shall not he a vassal of France or Britain. We cannot hand over a long-oppressed Flemish nation to be made French, but will assure it sound development on the basis of its mother tongue and characteristics. In the same manner, Poland, which the Cossacks have burnt and pillaged, will not be allowed to exist any longer. Neither shall we give up the regions' in the West, where German blood has been' shed, without a complete guarantee as to our future." . ' Much of the speech was devoted to pleading Germany's role as a peaceloving nation, which ,was not responsible, nor had not' desired war. 'He added: "It is a silly calumny to say that after the war we intend to rush America, conquer Canada, and acquire Brazil." He concluded amid general applause, Dr. Liebkneclit being shouted down. - It is worthy of note'that the Chancellor's references to the Flemish were deleted from the reports which were circulated in Belgium.