SPEECH BY GERMAN CHANCELLOR.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 17, 1 March 1918, Page 5

SPEECH BY GERMAN CHANCELLOR.

PEACE DISCUSSION.

Von Hertling, in a speech in the Reichstag, said that every durable peace must be built upon justice. He agreed with President Wilson’s declaration that nations and provinces ought not to bo shifted from ono State to another. He rejoiced in President Wilson’s statement of the rejection of tho idea of a balance of power. Germany's advance eastward was only aimed at securing peace with Russia. Her aim was not conquest, but she merely wanted to restore order without fixing herself in Esthonia or Livonia. As to Courland and Lithuania he had nothing to say. The people there were already successfully creating, self-government bodies. Respecting Roumania, he would state that they must, and would make friends for all time. He doubted the utility of public speeches by statesmen, but tho cause of peace could be furthered by private discussions between responsible representatives of the belligerents. The question of Belgium should be discussed in a friendly manner in order to arrive at an understanding. Germany repeatedly declared that she did not think of retaining Belgium, but Germany must be protected against Belgium being used as a deploying ground for enemy machinations. Hertling added with regard to Poland that the intention to arrange an agreement between the Ukraine and Poland had already had a reassuring effect in Polish circles. Germany intended only to claim tho rectification of her side of the frontier, which was necessary through military reasons. The world in eager expectancy was now asking whether the way to a general peace had been opened. The Entente leaders seemed still averse to the voice of humanity and reason, and adhered to aims of conquest, including Alace-Lor-raine. There was no Alsace-Lorraine question in an international sense. If it existed ft was purely a German question. The Entente claimed Austrian territory for Italy, while England was lighting for tho separation of Palestine and Syria from Turkey and for the Gormans’ African colonies. He referred to intrigues to incite neutrals against Germany. There was no thought of Germany violating Swiss neutrality. The world longed for peace, but the enemy Governments wanted to continue the war to the end. It was, n'vcvor, true that other voices were heard in England. He trusted that such utterances would be more frequent. The Chancellor concluded: "The world stands faced with the greatest decision for all. Either our. enemies must decide to make peace, on which presumption we are prepared to enter into negotiations, or to continue the war, in which case wo will continue, but the responsibility for the bloodshed will fall on those who obstinately refused to listen to th'e voice of humanity.”