IN CHANCELLORS SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 24, 28 January 1918, Page 7

IN CHANCELLORS SPEECH

BELGIUM TO BE NEGOTIATED FOR NORTHIRM FRANCE A VALUABLE PAWN BRITAIN'S STRONGHOLDS AT SEA (BT MLFSB4PH.—THITED PBBSS ASSOCIATION.—OOFtBIOHT.) (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) AMSTERDAM, 27th January, The German Imperial Chancellor's speeoh on Germany's war-aims and in reply to the recent pronouncements of Mr! Lloyd George and President Wilson, parrially reported on Saturday, continued as follows :— "Until the enemy unconditionally concedes, the territorial integrity of the Central Empires, I shall reject all proposals to remove the Belgian question from the joint general negotiations. Northern France was a valuable pawn in Germany's hands. Germany did not wish for violent annexation, but the conditions of evacuation must be arranged between France and Germany. There could not be any talk of ceding Alsace-Lorraine, which was German in 1789, rwhen France incorporated it, and where 87 per cent, of the population n6w speak German." . < Oourit Hertling 1, in welcoming President Wilson's reference to the freedom of the seas, said that it was of the highest importance that England should abandon Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Hongkong, the Falklands, and other strong naval points d'appui. The settlement of Poland must be arranged by Germany and Austria alone. H« did not anticipate difficulties respecting open diplomacy, the demolition of trade barriers, and the reduction of armaments. Germany was ready to discuss ■ the ibasis of a League-of Nations when all other questions were settled. . "The statements of President Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George/ he continued, "contain certain principles for 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 observable. They speak as conquerors to conquered. The actual situation is that our position was never so favourable If pur enemies force us to continue, then they must take the consequences. If the Allies alter their programme of p6ac6 we will test it earnestly, for our aim is to reconstruct a durable general peace. This is impossible while the lasting integrity of the German Empire, the security of its vital interests, and ite dignity as a Fatherland are not ensured." He concluded: —"Our motto is : 'Remain together and calmly await events.' We are entirely agreed in this aim. There may be varying opinions as to methods and conditions, but through all differences let us be ever mindful of the Fatherland's welfare, and a good peace will and shall come. The German workers know how 1 to differentiate between the realities of life and fantasfio dreams. Such A nation cannot go under, God ie iwith us, and will 'remain^win us..'* , '