CHANCELLOR DRAWN BY CONSERVATIVES.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14406, 17 May 1917, Page 10

CHANCELLOR DRAWN BY CONSERVATIVES.

DECEMBER PEACE OFFER STILL

OPEN

NO FURTHER PROPOSALS.

AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA POSSIBLE.

MILITARY POSITION AS GOOD AS EVER, *

TIME WORKING FOR -GERMANY.

(Australian and N.Zi Cable Association)

(Received May: 16, 8.55 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 15

Herr Roesicke, Conservative leader in -the Reichstag, opened a debate on the war aims by inquiring the Government's attitude towards the Socialist leaders' recent decision. Herr Schiedemann, on behalf of the Socialists, » inquired whether Dr. yon Bethmann Hollweg was ready to endorse the Russian Provisional Government's formula of peace without annexation.. Dr. yon Betfimann Hqllweg:, in tie course of his reply, said he had consistently clung to the. peace offer made on December 12th. The recent sugges*tions of differences of ~ opinion between the Central* Powers belonged to the realm of imagination. He had always looked favourably upon any prospect of a speedy and favourable termination of the war, but if, as now, tre .general situation ■ imposed silence he would keep silent. He would not swerve from that attitude whatever pressure was brought to bear. ■Their enemies to-day evinced no abatement of, their extravagant aims' of conquest >and economic annihilation. '' "Does anybody," he continued, "expect to induce such enemies to conclude peace by a programme of renunciation or abstention? Shall I simply grant them license to continue the war indefinitely without any risk of losses to themselves? Shall I tell them, 'Whatever happens, we, under all cir-cumstances,-will renounce our-war aims; -whilst'you who are making an. attempt upon our existence .are free to try; conclusions without .risks?' Shall I compromise the Empire :by tho in every respect one-sided programme which relinquishes our successes ? I decline such a policy, which would imply the/meanest ingratitude for the heroic achievements of our people on the battlefields and at home. It would permanently lower the standard of life of the entire nation, and "sacrifice the country's future."

The Chancellor said he equally declined to outline a policy of conquest. ■■.-.* ■■■ - . ■ :■■-. .. -■■■■ ■-■>■■ -

CABLE NEWS.

[Pbess ■$ Association—Copybiqhx. ]

Germany did not enter the war to make a ' conquest, but to defend "her existence. '

Dr. vpn Bethmann Hollweg said he did not doubt that an agreement could be reached with Russia satisfactory to both parties. Germany would not make demands incompatible with tho liberty and will of nations. .

"By outlining a programme," he proceeded, "I would be only playing the game of ,the foreign ruling Powers, and thus facilitate their task of Misleading their respective nations, which are weary of tie war, and thereby.prolong the war. This would also be mean ingratitude to our soldiers. Regarding Russia, she would appear to decline all plans of conquest by violence. Whether Russia will and can influence her Allies in the same direction I am at present unable to foresee." He did not doubt that England, assisted ly her other allies, was endeavouring by all means to bring Russia further under the yoke of Armageddon, and frustrate Russia's longing for the speedy establishment of the world's peace. "Our military position is as good perhaps as it has ever been since the beginning of the war," he continued. "Our enemies in the West, in spite of the most,gigantic lasses,- are unable to pierce our front. Our submarines are working with in creasing success. Neutrals will recognise this, and as far as our duty to Germany permit^ we w-ll | respect neutrals' interests. ! Dr". yon Bethmann Hollweg concluded: "Time is working for us, tnd we are entitled to believe that we are approaching the successful termination of the war. Then will be the moment to negotiate concerning war aims, regarding which I am in full accord with the supreme army command. Tten we will win a peace giving us liberty to reconstruct by the powerful use qf our forces all that the war has destroyed, so that from so much blood | and so many sacrifices the realm and [people will emerge strong and independent, never to be threatened by enemies, and a protecting tower of peace and industry."