THE GENERAL POWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 18

THE GENERAL POWERS.

GERMAN ARROGANCE. THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. GERMANY BENT ON CONQUEST. STRIKES AND RIOTS IN AUSTRIA. DEMAND FOR PEACE. GERMANY'S PLANS FOR WORLD CONQUEST. The New York World prints a sup pressed article from a Berlin paper, in which the former commercial (iron and coal) magnate, August Thyssen, stated : ." Many Germans in 1912 -were asked to support the Hohenzollern war policy, and were offered rich rewards if they did so. The Hohenzollerns said that war had become a necessity for the preservation of the German military system. They offered me a orant of 30,000 acres of land in Australia and a loan of 750,000 dollars to develop this land. . Other firms were promised special facilities m India. A syndicate was also formed for the exploitation of Canada. It was calculated that Germany would conquer Australia, India, and Canada by the end of 1915. These promises were made by the Chancellor, von Bethmann-Hollweg, and confirmed by the Kaiser." Mr Thyssen added : " When asked to guarantee a. million dollars for the war loan in 1916 I declined, whereupon my war contracts were cancelled and my business was ruined." A New York Times London despatch says that the Government has obtained an intimate view of the German Government's attitude. Germany desires an early peace, 'and believes it is likely to be attained. Germany also mistakenly believes that America's war preparations are unreal, and are merely bluff. GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. BOMBASTIC AND ARROGANT. The Kaiser presided over a meeting of the Crown Council, at which he and von Hindenburg, von Luderidorff, Baron von Hertling, and von Kuhlmann settled the terms of von Hertling's speech to the Reichstag. Von Hertling, addressing the Main Committee of the Reichstag, said that the negotiations at Brest-Litovsk were proceeding slowly and with difficulty, but he still clung to the iiope of coming to an agreement with the Russians. The negotiations with the Ukrainians continued favourably, and he hoped soon to conclude a treaty satisfactory to both parties, especially from the economic point of view. " The period within which the Entente might have co-operated in negotiating for a general peace," said the Chancellor, "expired on January 3, after which Germany was free to proceed with separate negotiations with Russia. Mr Woyd George and President Wilson have sfrice announced the Entente Avar aims. Mr Lloyd George showed an alteration in tone. He is no longer abusive. He is showing an inclination to negotiate, but is not showing an earnest desire for peace. Mr Lloyd George, while appreciating Germany's political, economic, and cultivated position, adjudges her guilty of the upmost possible crimes. We cannot understand such feelings." The Chancellor reviewed the situation before the war, stating that the alliance with Austria was purely defensive, and had never been misused for aggressive purposes. He declared that Edward VII had endeavoured to create an esemy coalition.

President Wilson's tone had changed since his reply to the Pope. He tried to sow dissension between the German Government and the German people. He no longed talked of the autocratic German Government suppressing the people, and did not repeat his attacks on the house of Hohenzollern. Continuing, Baron von Hertling said: " Until the enemy unconditionally concedes the Centrals Powers territorial integrity I shall reject, all proposals to remove the Belgian question from joint or general negotiations." He proceeded to say that Northern France was a valuable pawn in Germany's hands. Germany did not wish any violent annexation. The conditions of evacuation must be arranged between France and Germany. There could not be any talk of ceding Alsace-Lorraine, which was German territory until 1789, when France incorporated it. Eighty-seven per cent, of the population now speak German. Von Hcrtling, in welcoming Mr Wilson's reference to the freedom of-the seas, said it was of the highest importance that BriMain should abandon Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Hongkong, the Falklands, and other strong naval points d'appui. The settlement of Poland must be arranged, by Germany and Austria alone. He did not anticipate difficulties respecting open diplomacy. The demolition of trade barriers and the reduction of armaments were matters that Germany was ready to discuss on the basis of the league of nations, when all other questions were settled. The statements of Mr Wilson and Mr Lloyd George contained certain principles for a world peace to which Germany could also agree and which could form points for negotiation, but where concrete questions were concerned the Allies' desire for peace was less observable. " They speak," he said, " as the conqueror to the conquered. The actual position i<n that our position was never so favourable. If our enemies force us to continue then they must take the consequences. If the Allies alter their programme of peace we will test it earnestly, for our aim is to reconstruct a durable and general peace, which is impossible while the lasting integrity of the German Empire, the security of its vital

interests, and the dignity of the fatherland are not ensured." He concluded: " Our motto is to remain together and calmly await events. We are entirely agreed in our aim. There may be varying opinions as to methods and conditions, but through all the differences let us ever be mindful of the fatherland's welfare, and good peace will and shall come. " The German workers know how to differentiate between the realities of life and fantastic dreams. Such a nation can-, not go under. God is with us, and will remain with us." —(Cheers.) Baron von Hertling, replying to President Wilson, said there would be some difficulty regarding colonial questions, because they were of the most importance to Britain; but President Wilson's proposal, considered in conjunction with Germany's demand for colonies, could be left to the greatest colonial empire—namely, the British, to decide. " When an Anglo-American agreement is reached," he added, "we could see. what agreement will be possible at peace negotiations from our side, since we also advocate a new construction of the colonial situation." He also added that the evacuation of Russia concerned only Russia jind the Central Powers. The Belgian question could be settled only at a peace conference, but Germany had never demanded violent incorporation of Belgian territory. The leaders of the Centre and National Liberal parties supported Baron von Hertling. Herr von Scheidemann regretted that Baron von Hertling had not regarded President Wilson's messages, which conveyed an honest declaration tending to peace and declared definitely that Alsace-Lor-raine must remain German. He added that the submarine campaign had proved unsuccessful, and had onlv drawn America into the war. Herr* von Hoffmann, he contended, had adopted a wrong tone at Brest-Litovsk. Reports from Cologne state that Baron von Hertling's speech was well received in moderate German circles, where the fact that the Chancellor had discussed President Wilson's speech seriatim was regarded of considerable importance. Germany now believes that the Alsace question is finally settled. The Independent Socialists and Conservatives reproach Baron von Hertling for not defining the German war aims. The Austrian press received the speech with marked coolness.

The Dutch press say 6 the speech brings peace no nearer and rejects Mr Wilson's terms, except those advantageous to Germany. A GERMAN CRITIC. Vorwarts comments thus on von Hertling's speech: "It has increased the enemy's distrust. We are surfeited with such ambiguous masterpieces, which trifle with Germany's desire for peace." The Leipziger Volkszeitung says: "In August, 1914, von Bethmann-Hollweg solemnly promised to repair the wrong done to Belgium. The Government now rejects that promise. Doubtless the Government is unwilling to reinstate Belgium's political independence, requiring conquests in the west as in the east under the veil of hypocrisy." Other democratic organs complain of the absence of a clear declaration concerning Belgium which would have removed the obstacle to belief in the sincerity of Germany's peace efforts. -, BRITISH PRESS VIEWS. English newspapers characterise Baron von Hertling's speech as insolent and bombastic. The arrogant and wily Huns' idea is to negotiate with each enemy separately. The speech bangs the door on peace. The newspapers are particularly indignant at Germany regarding Belgium and Northern France as pawns, and ridicule the idea of Gibraltar and Hongkong being ceded. The tone of von Hertling's and Czernin's speeches differs, but it is evident that the count is playing a gigantic game of " spoof." AMERICAN OPINION. The speech delivered by Baron von Hertling is regarded as indicating that the militarists still control German diplomacy. The arrogant claims are intended to deceive the world as to Germany's real weakness and desire for peace. Count Czernin's statement is interpreted as meaning that Germany cannot rely on Austria's support for war conquest. The speeches make peace more remote, but America adheres absolutely to President Wilson's war aims. REVOLUTIONARY FEELING. The revolutionary feeling is extending to Bavaria. A prominent Socialist, being interviewed, said : " The common people of Bavaria want, above all, peace, but yet a premature peace would be a catastrophe, because it would leave the Junkers and their dnpes unbroken and unconverted. The Bavarians do not care a brass farthing about Alsace, nor about the swollen-beaded Prussians' plans of annexation. Prussia has been our curse since 1871." The Fatherland meeting at Cologne resulted in the Socialists rushing the gathering and singing the " Marseillaise," until the police were called and cleared the hall with swords and whips. The crowd left, crying: " Down with Tirpitz!" and "Long live peace!" Peace demonstrators broke up the Fatherland party's'meetings at Frankfort - on-Main, shouting " Long live freedom and peace," and singing the " Marseillaise." Some rioting has taken place at Berlin, mobs shouting for peace.

Two hundred invalided soldiers who interrupted the Fatherland party's meeting at Berlin have been arrested. News of the arrest caused indignation among the garrison, culminating in a meeting of troops at Friedrichsdorf. near Berlin. As a result 8000 soldiers have been confined to barracks, and the ringleaders wero imprisoned.

PRESSURE ON THE KAISSR-. A WARNING. Berlin newspapers startlingly announce that Count Rioderus has sent a memorandum to the Kaiser, warning him that the condition of the nation renders the further development of an offensive inadvisable. Other influential authorities are trying to induce the Kaiser to check operations. ' A correspondent of Humanite, in Switzerland, who recently saw the Kaiser in Berlin, says the military clique has convinced the Emperor that Germany's situation is excellent. The Kaiser, who was recently silent and melancholy, is now noisy again, and talks incessantly. He believes they will still march on London. The acceptance of the peace pourparlers by the Bolsheviks has brought back the old dreams. Owing to political excitement all meetings have been prohibited in Germany.