SITUATION GRAVE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10086, 27 September 1918, Page 5

SITUATION GRAVE

DISCONTENT IN GERMANY lIEBTLING ENDEAVOURS TO ALLAY ALARM. DISCUSSION IN REICHSTAG. Reuter’s Telegrams, (Received September 26, 7.50 p.im) AMSTERDAM, September 25. Count von Hertling, in a speech iu the Reichstag, referring to the deep discontent prevalent in wide circles or the population, said if this discontent arose from the military situation, it far exceeded justifiable limits. The situation wa s grave, but there was no reason for faint-heartedness, as it is not so bad as during the summer of 1916. Reviewing the Eastern situation, he said the luture appeared uncertain, but the former menace had disappeared Hence a considerable part of the Eastern Army was employable on tne West front. He boasted that Hmdenburg and Ludendorff would bo equal to tho situation. The enemy s premature cries of victory would soon die away. He appealed to the" people not to leave the men' at the front in the lurch now that everything was at stake. . Defending the invasion of Belgium, he said that if Germany had not acted quickly the enemy would have anticipated tho move and invaded her. Germany’s conscience was clear, because she offered the Belgians money for the promise of neutrality when first overfun. The offer was even repeated after the fall of Liege. Ho denied that Germany was striving for world hegemony. A world war was prepared years ago by the well-known encircling policy of King Edward. The match was not put to the powder by Prussian militarists. While the Avalscr to the last moment was endeavouring to preserve peace, Russian militarists effected a mobilisation against the will of the weak Czar, owing to which war became unavoidable.- Germany could calmly await the judgment of posterity. It was true that an unparalleled campaign of lies had obscured the truth, with the result that hatred of Germany had arisen amongst enemy populations which choked all moderation and just judgment. M. Clomenceau’s last speech in fanatical hatred and coarseness of mind surpassed everything hitherto achieved. Von Hertling, continuing, attributed American war enthusiasm partly to the huge profits from armaments, and sneered at tho British recognition of the conglomerate rabble of Czechoslovaks as a ; belligerent-power. He added that the submarines were slowly, but surely, fulfilling their task of diminishing tonnage, but, above all, were restricting American reinforcements of men and material. The hour must come when the enemy would see reason, and be ready to make an end to tho war before half the world was ruined and the flower of manhood dead on the battlefield.

Von Hertling reiterated his entire sympathy withh the idea of a League of Nations, provided the equal .rights of all members of the league were guaranteed. He declared that the idea of restriction of armaments was thoroughly capable of discussion. Herr Brueninghaus, speaking on behalf of the Admiralty, declared that more submarines were now operating than at any period of the war. General von Ewrisberg attributed the failure of the German blow past Reims to the impossibility of securing a surprise. The subsequent Allied successes were largely due to the British bringing over their Home armies, and the intervention of American divisions. The' German withdrawals in Flanders were made in order to prevent a British enveloping attack. He added: “The American armies should not terrify us. We can also settle them.” Summing up the general military situation, Be said that, despite material losses, they were well protected. Dr von Hintzo, Foreign Minister, referring to the Austrian Peace Note, said the German Government did not think this the most suitable moment for the renewal of such an appeal, when the enemy was suffering from the intoxication. of victory. The. appeal had, however, been dispatched, and Germany, Turkey, and Bulgaria had forthwith adhered thereto. Aua. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Beuter. (Received September 27, 1.40 a.m.) AMSTERDAM. September 26. Herr von Paver in the Reichstag said the Brest-Litovsk treaty must stand and cannot he submitted to a Peace Oonfgrence. Von Payer did not attempt to disguise that Germany intended that Poland and other former Russian Slates must not be completely independent, but must incline towards Germany tn Germany’s interest; UNFAVOURABLE PRESS COMMENT. VON HERTLING HISSED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 26, 8.60 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, September 25. The German newspapers make unfavourable comment on von Hertling's speech. The “Lokal Anzeiger” admits that Hertling was hissed, and adds: “Members of the Reichstag did not expect to listen to a mass of general ties.” The “Tagoblatt” says: “Von Hertling belongs to another generation, and docs, not understand our present needs.” DELIVERANCE OF THE HOLY LAND NEXT SUNDAY A DAY OF THANKSGIVING. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 26, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, September 25. The Archbishop of Canterbury proposes to observe next Sunday as a Thanksgiving Day for the deliverance of the Holy Land.