BETHMANN-HOLLWEG ON SUBMARINE WARFARE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2994, 3 February 1917, Page 9

BETHMANN-HOLLWEG ON SUBMARINE WARFARE

THE ENTENTE'S DIFFICULTIES A ROSE-COLOURED STATEMENT TO PLEASE BERLINERS _ • Amsterdam, February 1. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, in .the Reichstag, declared that the most important fact leading to the new situation was that the "number of Germany's submarines had been very considerably increased compared with last spring. Thus a firm basis had beeu created for success. The second decisive reason was the bad corm harvest of the world, which had already caused i Britain. France, and Italy serious difficulties. Germany firmly hoped to make ' these difficulties unbearable by means of unrestricted submarine warfare. He declared that tho coal question was already critical in France and Italy, and tho German submarines would render it still more critical. Moreover, as regards England, there was the question of the supply of ore for munitions,! and of timber for the coal mines. Tho Entente's difficulties would be rendered more acute by decreased oargo space. The-submarine and cruiser warfare had prepared the ground for a decisive blow. The Chancellor asserted that while the advantages Germany would gain from such a blow had correspondingly decreased since last spring, von Eindenburg had a few days ago • described the situation as follows:-—"Our front is firm on all sides. We have everywhere the requisite reserves, and the spirit of our troops is good and confident. The military situation as a_ whole permits us to a,ccept all the consequences of unrestricted submarining, and, as this in all circumstancesis the means to injure our enemies most grievously, it must begin."— Keuter. / Amsterdam, February 1. Herr Bethmann-Hollweg said that the enemy's refusalof peace showed a determination to annihilate Germany.- Germany had accepted Lhe challenge and would fight to the bitter end, and hazard everything to gain victory. The ruthless -submarine campaign would bring peace nearer, by making the enemy's food and coal supplies more precarious.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "-MR. ASQUITH'S. REVIEW OP THE SITUATION,/ THE FLUCTUATING FORTUNES OF THE WAR FAVOURED THE ALLIES. (Bee. February 2, 5.50 p.m.) v London, February 1. _ Mr. Asquith, addressing Liberal and Conservative delegates at Ladybank, said he would not refer to the ci rcumstances attending his resignation. Public attention should not be distracted from the supreme topic of the prosecution of the war to'a worthy and decisive end, and.an honourable and stable peace. The Allies' resources were wisely organised, and they were assured of inevitable victory. The idea that the war would result mi stalemate was a mere dream. However the fortunes of war may fluctuate in tho balance, they more and more favoured the Allies and ultimate victory was certain; but we must employ our utmost endeavour to accelerate it. The British blockade was one of the greatest achievements in the Navy's annals.. The submarine menace was grave, hut the naval measures and shipbuilding would counteract it. It was useless to waste time on Germany's so-called: peace overtures, which were transparently insincere, arid put forth for ulterior motives, but the Allies were bound to respectfully listed to President Wilson, whose Note ■ amomrtsd to a declaration of American' i3eals. His ideal world league aroused our sympathies. The British conception of the enthronement of . public right as the governing ideal of European politics did not differ fundamentally therefrom. Tho Allies, in- estimating the minimum peace requirements, must remonroer the-dead, also the enemy's character and. methods, as revealed by the war. The guarantees must therefore ho tangible and solid. By a victorious peace, we mean a peace in tho interests of the social and moral welfare of humanity. We have not desired more and could not accept less. >. • Wo must concentrate our resources for a decisive victory en the field which would he the<-precursor of an enduring peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MOST BRAZEN-FACED DECLARATION IN THE RECORDS OF HISTORY i ——— (Rec. February 2, 8.55 p.m.) London, February 2. The "Daily Telegraph" says.: "Hollwegg's speech is the most brazenfaced declaration in the records of history. It is Prussianisni gone mad, and threatens to involve humanity in its own destruction. Hollwcg has become a convert of Clausewitz, the missionary of ruthlessncss. The theory has already ' beeu applied to the German armies, and is now openly and shamelessly adopted by tho Gorman Navy. The victims are subjects of'neutral Powers, including tho United States. Germany became the outcast of Europe from the day her troops swarmed into little Belgium, and she now shouts from tho Reichstag and from all her embassies that she has done with law and humanity."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A^sn. BRITISH ADMIRALTY, GRAPPLING WITH THE PROBLEM (Rec. February 2, 5.50 p.m.) . , London, February 1. Sir Edward Carson, First Lord of the Admiralty, states regarding Germany's declaration of submarine warfare, that he does not minimise the newdangers, but the Admiralty is grappling with the problem with tireless vigour. "Our anxieties only stir us to greater and increasing effort."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. A LARGE FLEET OF FAST SUBMARINE CHASERS. (Rec. February 2, 9.40 p.m.) .' . New York, February 1. Britain and her Allies are prepared to meet the Germans' move for a feubmSsSSjXctmrtaign. The ports qi liverpool and Bordeaux arc to be kept open at all hazards. AHships will be armed fore and aft for defence purposes. Britain has been assembling for months a large fleet of small fast cruisers to be used as submarine chasers. There is to be no interruption in the sailings of Allies' slups from American ports, but neutral vessels are likely to be held up awaiting instructions.—Reuter. *