MOTHER COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17878, 26 August 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

REPLY TO DR SOLF

A CHANGE IN TONE

LORD ROBERT CECIL'S COMMENT (Received August 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August .23.

Lord Robert Cecil, in a statement on Dr Solf's speech, says,:—" Dr Solf's remarkable utterances represent a considerable change, mainly directed to . American opinion. It reflects ' tho trend of German opinion. Dr,Sol!has, begun to realise that the Pan-German ; doctrineis disastrous, and refers to •,- such principles as being held only by a small group without political or Go- ; vernment influence. He claims that the Government strongly combated . them." Nevertheless, Lord Cecil adds, the Pan-Germans or Junkers have great influence in .Germany. Only a few weeks ago they exhibited their power by securing von Kuhlmann's dismissal, because of his view that there was no likelihood of Germany being able to se- . cure a military decision in her favour. Dr Solf's statement regarding Belgium undoubtedly represented a step towards decency. He says that Belgium would not be any nation's vassal, , but von Hertling recently said the same thing with serious qualifications, notably that there would be a close commercial connection with Germany. Hence Dr Solf's statement is extremely unsatisfactory, especially as Dr Solf reminded his hearers of von Herding's . promises. If Dr Solf wished to indicate Germany's willingness to liberate and restore Belgium, left him say so .; plainly. i,' Dr Solf's assertion that Germany, by tho Brest Litovsk treaty, inaugurated '.' a number of small States which G-er-■"■■■.' many, at their request., would protect temporarily, shows a change in policy. The people of Germany hitherto had regarded the Brest Litovsk treaty as ,"' the first fruits of victory. " Dr Solf vaguely claims that the cokv nies shall revert to Germany. . He particularly resents the suggestion that Germany has not given a good account, of her stewardship of the coloured races. I believe Germany's treatment of the coloured peoples has been brutal and repugnant. The Government intends soon ;io publish a cf Germany's colonial misrule. When Mr Balfour said, 'The colonies will not bo restored/ he- reflected th© tho opinion of the world acquainted with Germany's colonial record." Dr Solf was wrong in saying that Britain claim, ed the right 10 annex them. Mr jßalfour had said that their fate would b« decided at the peace conference. Whal Mi- Balfour ruled out was the sugge*. tion that 'they should ba returned, t# Germany. - - Dr Solf's reference to the war'a am ■ • nage, evils and miseries was only toe true, and represented an entire change in German feeling, even since last April, when Hindenburg's extravagant war aims were in the ascendant. Dr Solf claims to be the upholder of the Loaguo of Nations still. Dr Solf said that it would be criminal not to achieve an international system which was bettor than the present system* . but tho Allies sw no hopai of it unless

the .Entente was victorious, and Germany acknowledged her whole system is * profound error.

MR MASSEY'S VIEWS. LONDON, August 22. Mr Massoy, interviewed regarding Dr Bolf's speech, said:—lt may be taken for granted that Dr Soif speaks the German Government's mind. Germany How talks peace by negotiation because Bhe has • found that the policy of the mailed list is doomed to failure: but Jitter Germany's treatment of Belgium the civilised world could never again take Germany's word or bond. She is a criminal among the nations, and will, we hope, be compelled to appear ftt the bar of National Justice in the not distant future, and accept, punishment for her misdeeds. Dr Solf pretends that Germany has not pursued an aggressive policy in Africa and the Pacific, and says that her future colonial possessions should correspond with her merits, as shown to the coloured races under her care. I am able to pay that the native races in the> Pacific ante and detest her, whereas they hive shown practical sympathy with Britain's Allies. .1 have not heard Mat any native of Germany's late colcmies wanted to fight for Germany. Regarding the Anglo-Saxons in the Pacific, we have not- forgotten the vessels sunk, and the fellow-citizens drowned, on our ooasts. We know the possibilities of allowing the Germans to establish wireless stations and headquarters for submarine and aircraft fleets. Wo have exferienced Germany's peaceful penetraion and war-waging methods, and wo do not want either. Until Germany atones| for her offences against God and man, and gives security for better behaviour in the future, Germany should not be allowed to rank as a civilised nation.

KNOCK-OUT BLOW NECESSARY. . ' LONDON. August 523. Mr F. Kelleway, in a .speech at Hull, said that a knock-out blow was an essential preliminary to permanent peace and a League of Nations. YORKSHIRE COAL TROUBLE. DISPUTE SETTLED. LONDON, August 2. The Yorkshire coal-owners and miners' conference has settled the dispute. The loaders recommended an immediate resumption of work. One hundred and fifty thousand are out to-day, and practically the entire field is idle. DEMAND FOR BETTER FACILITIES. ' LONDON, August 23. The Miners' Federation at Southport discussed the coal output. Several speakers demanded better facilities for getting coal to ,the surface. The men were able to win moro coal than could be brought up. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. (Received August 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August -J.3. Sir Joseph Ward, in an interview in the "Morning Post," said:—"While the oversea countries are absolutely at "the disposal of tho Motherland, after that we will welcome closer commercial ties with America. There must also bo amiable preference in favour of our present Allies. Britain must recognise the dominions' claims. We naturally wish to give preference to our kith and kin. Reciprocity is 'the sustenance of industry. We hold New Zealand in trust for Britain. Our products are at her disposal, and our manhood is hers already. Through the avenues of trade and commerce I believe the great links binding all together will become more firmly clasped. 7 '

.WAR-WOBKERS' CANTEENS

A BIG BUSINESS. LONDON, August 23. Mr F. Kelleway, speaking at Hull, said that there were now 900 war workers' canteens, catering for a million daily, with a turnover of £3,500,000 annually. , THE SHIPPING PROBLEM. FOOD ECONOMY STILL NEEDED. LONDON, August 2. Sir Leo Chiozza Money, commenting on the latest shipping returns, states that British ships are monthly bringing 200,000 Americans, and American ship 100,000. This deprivation of cargo space still renders food economy the order of the day. IRISH AFFAIRS. ULSTER'S COUNTER-MANIFESTO. LONDON, August 2. Sir Edward Carson and leading Ul•terites have signed a manifesto as a counterblast to the Nationalist manifesto to President Wilson. The manifesto says that the Nationalist leaders have cast a stain on Ireland's good name by refusing to devote the whole of their strength against Germany. ENEMY ALIENS.

INTERNMENT URGED. (Received August 25, 5.5 p.m.),

LONDON, August 24. The National Party organised a demonstration in Hyde Park on Saturday to demand the internment of all aliens of enemy blood. Subsequently a petition with a million signatures was presented to the Premier.

DEALING IN MUNITIONS. TWO MEN PUNISHED. (Received August 25, 5.5 p.mj LONDON, August 23. George Heyl was sentenced to four months in the second division and Jacob Stoner was fined £IOO and costs, £lO5. (Heyl and Stoner were charged with dealing in munitions without a permit.) EXCHANGE OE RPISONERS. DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND. (Received August 25, 11 p.m.) ROTTERDAM, August 24. Two hundred and fourteen wounded British from Germany have departed W England.

MUNITION WORKERS. WOMEN'S WAGES INCREASED. LONDON, August 23. Mr Churchill has drawn the War Cabinet's attention to the relationship jjf men's and women's wages. The Ministries of Munitions and La-

bour have agreed to advance women's wages by 6s weekly.

THE AUSTRALIA

VISIT BY SIR JOSEPH COOK. (Received. August 25, 5 5 p.m.)

LONDON, August 23. Sir Joseph Coolc thoroughly inspected the battleship Australia. He conversed with officors and other ratings. Four of tho latter, participants in the Zeebruggo raid, were presented to Sir Joseph Cook, who told them how proud Australia was of ahem. Sir Joseph Cook also sent a letter of congratulation to each of the eleven Australian participants in tho exploit. He expressed to Admiral Lovcson and Captain Bankhouse his satisfaction with what he had seen, and particularly congratulated them on the, contented spirit of the men. Ho said 'that anxious as many were to seo their homes again after so long an absence, they endured the isolation and hardships with the greatest fortitude.