GERMAN PROSPECTS AND INTENTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 19

GERMAN PROSPECTS AND INTENTIONS.

SPEECH BY IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR. LONDON, April 6

The German Imperial Chancellor (Dr von Bethmann Holiweg), in the course of the most comprehensive speech he has made since the war began, said he could not understand any intelligent man sharing their enemies' hope of starving Germany. The 1915 harvest was poor, yet Germany possesses excellent corn and bread reserves. The prospects of the next harvest were better than for years past. Great Britain continued, despite the American protest, to tighten the starvation blockade, contrary to international lav/. "We," said Dr von Bethmann Holb weg, " respect neutrals' legitimate interests, but our right to take reprisals against our enemies must be acknowledged. The speeches of our enemies show no trace of readiness for peace. Mr Asquith says, ' The complete and final destruction of Prussia's military power must be the first condition of peace negotiations.' Our only reply to such peace conditions is the sword. If our enemies want to continue killing men, and the devastation of Europe, then the blame is theirs. Our aim is to unite and protect Germany so strongly that nobody will be again tempted to attempt to destroy us.

"We will compel the world to recog* niss our right to free development. We entered this war for seif=defence, and things have not since changed. We cannot turn back now. We will shatter the menace involved by the British threat of a lasting commercial war. The more violent our enemies' speeches become, the harder will be our blows. The situation is not in accordance with their expectations. The Dardanelles campaign was a faillire. Our enemies declare that we are nearing the end of our military strength. The battle of Verdun will teach them better. We look to the future full of growing confidence."

BELGIUM'S TRUE FRIEND

LONDON, April 7

Noteworthy inferences to the Flemish were deleted from the report circulated in Belgium. Incidentally, Dr von Bethmann Hollweg stated that he had expres.ed his readiness for peace negotiations on . September 9, but the enemy declined them. Dr von Bethmann Hollweg continued :

" When our enemies speak of the destruction of Prussian military power they mean they wish to destroy a united and free Germany in order that she may again become as helpless as she was centuries ago—exposed to her neighbours' lust for power. Everywhere we see the enemy's brutal rage of annihilation and presumptuous determination to cripple 70,OC<),0CQ people. These threats will be shattered, but the enemy must not forget that the more violent their words the harder will be our blows."

Referring to Belgium, Dr von Bethmann Hollweg said: "We will create effective guarantees that Belgium shall not be a vassal of France or Great Britain. We cannot hand over the long-oppressed Flemish nation to be made French, but will assure it a sound development on the basis of its mother tongue, and characteristics in the same manner as Poland, which the Cossacks burnt and pillaged. Neither shall we give up the regions in the west where German blood has been shed without a complete guarantee as to our future."

Much of the speech was devoted to pleading that Germany is a peace-loving nation, and was neither responsible for nor desired the war. Dr von Bethmann Hollweg added: "It is a silly calumny to say that after the war we intend to rush into America, conquer Canada, and acquire Brazil." He concluded amid general applause, Herr Liebnecht being shouted down.