GERMAN INNOCENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9629, 9 April 1917, Page 6

GERMAN INNOCENCE

REPLY TO PEACE PARTY IN HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT. A telegram from Budapest on February 20th stated that M. Hollo, speaking on behalf of The Karolyi party, in the Chamber of Deputies, asked the Premier whether ho was disposed bo agree to a meeting of a Par- ; liamentary Committee to discuss confidentially the conditions of peace; At* Hollo, in the course of his speech, mada various observations in regal'd to the policy of -the German Empire. The Premier, in reply, said: “I protest against SI. Hollo’s reference to the antecedent history of the war, as if this war had not been forced upon us by an enemy filled with evil and aggressive designs, but bad been caused by a change which took place in German policy. The expansion which the German Empire has shown

since 1871 was a’ peaceful, economic, and cultural expansion, threatening the independence, existence, or vital interests of no other nation and no other State, and, though desiring for itself a place in the sun, wishing to push ho one away from the sun. “The history of this generation shows that thb peace of Europe was only, menaced when the power of France and Russia, was free for European political aims. The entire world always considered that the peace of Europe was assured when these Powers had complications elsewhere and were unprepared to attack.” The Right side of the House loudly applauded the Premier’s speech. On its conclusion M. Hollo expressed his approval of the Premier’s statement on peace. “The Hungarian people,” he added, “are prepared to make the greatest sacrifices also in the future, but the future of Hungary must not be forgotten.”