CONCLUSION OF HERTLING'S SPEECH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11446, 28 January 1918, Page 5

CONCLUSION OF HERTLING'S SPEECH.

REFUSAL TO GIVE UP ALSACELORRAINE,

HIS INTERPRETATION OF FREEDOM

OF THE SEAS.

Britain to evacuate maritime

STATIONS.

You Hertling, continuing his speech in the Reichstagsaid: “Until the onemv unconditionally concedes to the ‘ Central Powers their territorial integrity, I shall reject all proposals to remove the Belgian question Lorn ;tbe joint general negotiations.” Ho proceeded: “Northern France is a valuable pawn in Germay’s hands. Germany does not wish violent annexation, but the conditions of the evacuation must be arranged between France and Germany. There cannot bo any talk of ceding Alsace and Lorraine, which W'S German in 1780, when France incorporated it, and 87 per cent, of the population now speak German” . Hertling,ln welcoming President Wilson’s reference to the freedom of the seas, said; “It is of the highest importance that England should abandon Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Hongkong, the Falklands and other strong naval points d’appui. The settlement of Poland must bo arranged by Germany and Austria alone.” . , He did not antcipate any difficulties in respect of the questions of open diplomacy, the demolition ot trade barriers, and the reduction of armaments. Germany was ready to discuss the b isis of the League of Nations, when all ether questions were settled. “President Wilson’s and Lloyd George’s stdements,” he said, “contain certain princiles for a world peace to which Germany can also agree, and which can form points for negotiation, but where concrete questions are'concerued the A lies’ will for peace is less observable. They speak as a conqueror to the conquered, while the actual situation is 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 for peace, we will test it earnestly, for our aim is to reconstruct a durable and general peace. This is impossible while the lasting intergity or the German Empire, its security, _ its vital interests, and the dignity of the fatherland is not ensured. ” He concluded: “Our motto is to remain together and calmly await events. We are entirely agreed in this aim. There may be varying opinions as to methodsa nd conditions, but through all our differences, let us ever be mindful of the Fatherland’s welfare, and a good peace will and shall come. The German workers know how to differentiate between the realities of life and fantastic dreams. a nation cannot go under. God is with us aud •will remain with us.” (Cheers). Replying to President Wilson, lie said there would be some difficulty regarding the question of colonies because it was most important to England, but President Wilson’s proposal could be considered in conjunction with Germany’s demand for colonies. On this point said: “I believe it could be left to the greatest colonial empire, namely, the British, to make up its imncl concerning America’s prpoosal. When such Anglo-American agreement is reached we could see what agreement was possible at the peace negotiations from our side since we also advocate a new construction of he colonial situation. He added that the evacuation of Russia concerned only Russia and the Central Powers. The Belgian question could only be settled at a peace conference, but Germany never demanded violent incorporation of Belgian territory. HER FLING'S PARTIAL SUPPORT. MAJORITY SOCIALISTS DISSATISFIED. BERMAN POLICY CONDEMNED. ' Copenhagen, Jan. 25. The leaders of the Central Party and the National Liberals supproted Hertling. ~ , Scheidemann (Majority Socialists) rergetted that Hertling had not re garded President Wilson’s message as an, honest declaration tending to peace, and had declared definitely that Alsace and Lorraine must remain German. He ndaed that the submarines had proved unsuccessful and had only drawn America into Hoffman, he s;;id, had adopted a wrong tone at Brest Litovsk. ITS EFFECT IN GERMANY. WELL RECEIVED BY SOME. CONDEMED BY OTHERS. Amsterdam, Jan. 2(1. Cologne reports are that Hertling’s speech was well received in moder-.te German circles where the fact that the ' haucellor discussed President Wilson’s speech seriatim is regarded as of considerable importance. Germany now believes the Alsace question is finally settled, and that the legend of her plans for the annexations in Belgium and Prance have been exploded. The Independent Socialists and Conservatives reproach Hertling for not being definite in his war aims. The Austrian press has received the speech with marked coolness. The Dutch press says the speech brings peace no nearer, it rejects President Wilson’s terms except those which are ndvant '.genus to Germany.