WAR AIMS OF GERMANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16658, 1 October 1917, Page 5

WAR AIMS OF GERMANY.

SPECIFICATION REFUSED. FREE HAND CLAIMED. NO DEALING WITH ENSMY. (Received 5.5 p.m.) Keuter. AMSTERDAM, Sept, 28. Tho German Chancellor, Dr. Michaelis, addressing tho Reichstag, declared that the relations between Germany and the neutral Powers were satisfactory. Germany would continue to participate in the work of provisioning neutrals. He claimed that only the hope of dissension in Germany caused tho British statesmen to adhere to their impossible war aims. Germany awaited with confidence and calm the military exertions of the United Stater*. The German reply to the Pope's peace Note had obviously embarrassed the majority of Germany's enemies. Ho must at present decline to specify Germany's war aims. He declared that the reply by the President of the United States, Mr. Woodrow Wilson, to the Pope's Note constituted an attempt to sow dissension between the people and the Government of Germany. It had had the opposite effect of binding all Germans more firmly in their resolve to oppose foreign interference. Dr. Michaelis stated further that the altitude of the German Government regarding war aims was clearly expressed in his reply to the Pope's Note. He declared that the statement that Germany had already communicated with (in enemy Government and in advance tid Veflounced all claims to occupied territory; was not true. Germany had kept a free hand for the eventual peace negotiations. This also referred to Belgium. AUSTRIANS WEAKENING. REPORT OF WAR WEARINESS. (Received 5.5 p.m.) i Wireless. AMSTERDAM, Sopt 29. I , The \\6wwa, coTYespoTuto oi Vac T-jd • arrived in Amsterdam to-day. He declares that before he left Austria he converged with important politicians who authorised i him to - nak3 the following statement:— " A„„t,-,'r, !. ~„„,!,. ;„- „„ i,„„„,„.„ki„

Austria is ready for an honourable peace. She recognises the favourable character of the enemies she is fighting, and if they desire it she is ready to make sacrifices for the better settlement of European questions. Germany is absolutely ready to hand over Belgium to the Belgians if Belgium unties herself from the Entente. Austria and Germany are ready to discuss the position of the Tyrol and Alsace with a view to finding a solution satisfactory to all concerned."

OSTRACISM REALISED. GERMAN EYES OPENlNG(Received 5.5 p.m.) I Renter. LONDON, Sept. 29. Speaking at an American luncheon in his honour, Lord Milner, member of the War Cabinet without portfolio, declared that the prospect of almost universal : ostracism was beginning to weigh upon I the minds of the Germans, and as cer-'' tainly beginning to depress the spirits of their confederates. Th.lt was the reason why the new pan-German party had arisen, to strengthen the waning influence ' of the Junkers and to preach the doctrine of " might is right" in the most aggressive and repulsive form. MEDITERRANEAN CONTROL ILLUSIONS OF VON TIRPITZ. Australian and N.Z. and Eeutor. (Reed. 6.6 p.m.) LONDON, Sopt. 29. ' Interviewed in Buda Pesth, Admiral von Tirpitz stated that the British and French monopoly of tho Mediterranean must cease. The mere neutralisation of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal was not enough. I Only tho defeat of England would save ' tho Central Powers, who must hold out? until the submarines secured victory. The idea of America playing an effective part in the war was a phantom.

POPE ASKS FURTHER REPLY THE POSITION OF BELGIUM. | ANSWER STILL EVASIVE. (Received 5.5 p.m.) Editor. ROME, Sept. 29. The Vatican denies having received a separate German Nolo regarding the restoration of Bolgium under certain conditions. According to reliable Vatican information, the Holy See asked Berlin to explain why the German reply to the Pope's Note contained no allusion to Belgium ( or the occupied French territory. Germany replied that the acceptance of the proposals of the Pope concerning the evacuation of occupied territories was implied in the decision of the Reichstag regarding annexations, to which the German Government still adhered. J