REPLY TO ALLIES' WAR AIMS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 23, 26 January 1918, Page 5

REPLY TO ALLIES' WAR AIMS

"NO EARNEST DESIRE FOR PEACE"

INNOCENCE OF THE CENTRAL POWERS

JT>r TEIEOBAPH.—TJNITHD PBESS ASSOCIATION.—COPIMGKT.)'. (ATOTBALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 26, 11.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, 25th January. The Kaisei presided at a meeting of the Crown Council, at which Yon Hinaenburg, Yon Ludendorff, Count yon Hertling, and Dr. yon Kuhlmann settled the terras of Count yon Hertling's speech. Count yon Hertling, Imperial Chancellor, 'addressed the Main Committee of the Reichstag. He said that the negotiations at Brest Litovak were proceeding slowly, and with difficulty, but he clung to the hope of a coming agreement. The Russian negotiations with the Ukrainians continued favourably, and he hoped would soon result in the conclusion of a treaty of a mutually satisfactory character, especially from the economic point of view. The period in which the Entente Powers might have co-operated in general peace negotiations had expired on 3rd January, after which Germany was free to proceed with separate negotiations with Russia. Mr. Lloyd George and President 'Wilson had since announced their war aims.

Mr. Lloyd George, said the Chancellor, showed an alteration in tone. He no longer abused, and showed an inclination to negotiate; but he did not show an earnest desire for peace. "Mr. Lloyd George, while appreciating Germany's political, economic, and cultural position, adjudges her guilty o! the utmost possible crimes. We cannot understand such feelings;" The Chancellor reviewed the situation before the war, stating that the alliance with Austria was purely defensive, and was never misused for aggressive purposes. He declared that the late King Edward VII. had endeavoured to create an enemy coalition.

President Wilson's tone, he said, had changed since his reply to the Pope. He no longer talked of the autocratic German Government suppressing the people; he did not repeat his attacks oa the House of HohenzolleTn.