GERMANY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144663, 24 April 1915, Page 3

GERMANY

AMERICAN JOURNALIST’S YIEW. THE 'WAR NOT FELT YET. LONDON, April 23. An American journalist returned from Germany says that food is plentiful in Berlin, and the city was never more tranquil or gay. Upon the surface there is no war. Plainly it is the purpose of the Government that this condition shall continue. Ouo sees husky young chaps keeping tho railroads at tho highest standard of efficiency, strong young arms foiling trees in tho forests, and enough of such wen to carry on tho 60-per cent, of Germany’s ordinary trade with the adjoining neutral countries, which Germany is doing. Ho saw the Kaiser twice, erect in his seat, his eyes straight ahead, and his hands resting with a firm grip on his sword, groy hair showing beneath tho helmet, hut with no white hair on the face, and none of tho pallor of a man bearing an overwhelming responsibility. Germany believes she is fighting a war that has been thmst upon her to exterminate her, not a war of the Kaiser’s making. There is, says the journalist, a growing demand in France for peace, hut terms must include the exile of the Kaiser. BERLIN, April 23. Official.—A potato census proves that there is sufficient food for the population until next crop. There are 814,000 war prisoners in Germany. SOCIALISTS TALK OF PEACE LONDON, April 23. A message, from The Hague says that German Socialists are making earnest efforts to obtain a basis for the cessation of tho war. Dr. Broimschcldt, one of the loaders, is visiting Holland and consulting Socialists there, with-a view of getting in touch with tho British and French Socialists and getting them to bring pressure to bear in the'same direction. German Socialists unanimously favour peace without annexation of territory. At a private meeting of the party in Germany the discussion was in favour of peace. The general view is that Alsace and Lorraine should, not belong to Franco or Germany, but he autonomous. The argument is used that if France possessed the district rankling vengeance would possess a large part of tho population. It is also reported that. East Prussian landowners are trying to treat for peace with Russia, owing to fear of their properties suffering. Tho German Socialists believe a durable peace probable upon an arrangement of terms by Germany with France and Britain for tho evacuation of Belgium. With reference to the Dardanelles, it is not believed feasible to internationalise or neutralise the Straits until there is a United States of Europe. Whereas it is not considered possible to starve Germany,, the belief is expressed that, tho war will not continue much, longer owing to tho disastrous effect upon tho economic condition of_tho countries engaged. THE KAISER AT THE FRONT. GENEVA, April 22. The Kaiser is visiting the front in Alsace, GERMAN COLONIES. AFRICA THE REAL FIELD. (Received April 24, 10.20 a.in.) COPENHAGEN, April 23. Herr Paascho, Vice-President of the Reichstag, in a lecture in Berlin, said it was doubtful whether it was desirable to get back Kiao-chau or the South Pacific colonies, because they were too remote. He added that Germany should rather establish a.groat German Central Africa round the Congo.