CONDUCT OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 71, 17 December 1926, Page 11

CONDUCT OF THE WAR

POPE’S UNSUCCESSFUL PEACE EFFORTS INQUIRY BY REICHSTAG COMMITTEE REFUSAL OF GERMANY TO EVACUATE BELGIUM The Committee of the German Reichstag which is inquiring into the origin and conduct of the war cross-examined Dr. Michaelis, former Chancellor, regarding the suppression of a letter from the Curia in 1917 concerning peace negotiations and the German reply refusing to evacuate Belgium. By Telegraph.—Press association CopyrightLondon, December 15. The Berlin correspondent of the “The Times” states .that an echo of the Pope’s unsuccessful peace negotiations in 1917 occupied the attention of the Reichstag Committee which is inquiring into the origin and conduct of the war. The committee cross-examined Dr. Michaelis, who, as Chancellor, defeated the Reichstag’s peace resolution, regarding the suppression of a letter from the Curia stating that the British representative at Rome had informed the Curia that Britain and France were ready for peace negotiations in the event of a satisfactory declaration regarding Belgium; and also as to the suppression of the German reply refusing to evacuate Belgium, thereby upholding the militarists’ annexation views and wrecking the proposals. The Reichstag, ignorant of these letters, approved a vague reply. Dr. Michaelis to-day declared that the replv was tantamount to conditional assent. He added that inquiries showed that the British offer was not seriouslv meant. Dr. Michaelis produced a letter from the ex-Kaiser, dated November last, saying: “My view’ in 1917 was that the German army and navy were honourably in possession of Belgium, which they could not be asked to'surrender unconditionally. I still think it would have been an irresponsible act unequivocally to renounce Belgium before receiving guarantees essential to the welfare of mv people ” Dr. Michaelis said that, m exchange for the evacuation of Belgium Germany wanted Britain to agree to the possession of Mediterranean passes at Corfu or Valona.—“The Times.”