GERMAN TRICKERY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 55, 5 March 1918, Page 5

GERMAN TRICKERY

M. PICHON'S REVELATIONS

A FURTHER EXPLANATION. (Australian and N.Z. Gable Association) (Rec. March S, 9.5 a.m.} PARIS, March 4. The Dtaily Telegraph's Paris correspondent, referring to M. Pichon's re-, i'velationg. {which were contained iji a J telegram dated July 31st, 1914, from I LV. von Bethmann Hollweg, ex-German , Chancellor, to von Choen, German Ami bassador at Paris, stating that if the I French Government remain neutral von Choen must inform them that as a I guarantee of such neutrality Germany would insist upon France handing over the fortresses of Toul and Verdun, which sne would occupy and restore after thp war. Germany must have a - reply before 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon), says the references to Verdun and) Toul appeared at the end of a long despatch, omly a portion of which ■was published in the German "White Book, when von 'Choen (German Minister at Paris) offered neutrality and expected M. Vivianni (the Premier) would acqept or reject it. If the latter, [France would have put the blame on us of commencing the world war. If the ! former, von Choen would have disclosed th e humiliating conditions. The trick failed, M. . Viviani merely re- , plying that France's conduct was dici tated 1 'by hex' honour and interests.