GERMANY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144860, 11 December 1915, Page 3

GERMANY.

CHANCELLOR’S REVIEW, f OF THE GERMAN POSITION-. NO TALK OE PEACE. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 10. Continuing his speech in the Reichstag, the Chancellor said that Russia had left Bulgaria in the lurch, and despite tlie fact that the latter bore the main burden of the war, Bulgaria saw the fruits of her victories going to Serbia. Tho latter was given preference because she was the advanced power against Austria. King Ferdinand has now redeemed the pledge made at the end of the second Balkan war, namely, that the Bulgarian colours, which, after glorious lighting and severe disappointments, had been furled in July, should fly over her lost territories after vigorous fighting. Serbia, instead of seeking an understanding in order to save the country from the sacrifices involved in a fresh campaign, has decided not only to oppose the united' Austro-Ger-man attach, but also to attack Bulgaria. - To gain an open road to the Near East was a milestone which, from a military point of view, could not be over-rated in value. From an economic standpoint it allowed a welcome arrival of Turkish produce. Germany, thanks to .King Ferdinand’s far-seeing policy, hail a strong bridge constructed between the Central Empires and the Orient, which would be used after peace for the universal work of Kultur.

Herr von Bothmann-Hollwcg strongly attacked the Entente’s policy m Greece, and reproached England for using her licet in support of a breach of Greek neutrality. England, lie said, had managed to impress the world with tire idea tliat she must punish Germany for violating Belgium's neutrality, but they now knew that England -was tied up with Erance, without Parliament’s knowledge. Sir Edward Grey was forced to join in the war, either voluntarily or otherwise, before the question of Belgium’s neutrality ever arose.. England was no longer justified in denouncing German militarism, when she played a hypocritical part with Greece. The world now knew, and at present the world slaughter was being continued to please England - . All- the reports that Germany was seeking peace word foolish legends which the Entente wore spreading in order to cover their military failures. He could not discuss terms now, but the longer the Allies forood war on Germany the stronger sho became, and therefore the more severe the peace terms would be. Franco demanded the regaining of Alsace.and Lorraine,-and England the crushing of German militarism ; but the Entente had found on the battlefields that both demands were impossible terms. Germany’s future must be secured. There was enough, food, and possibly, an over-supply of cotton coming up the Danube. The supply of copper and rubber was sufficient, and Germany was prepared to carry war into other fields. THE MILITARY POSITION. The Gormans and A ustro-Hungarians were occupying wotl-consolidatcd strong defensive positions inf Russia,. and we arc always ready for a'further advance, it is true that the French and the British, .with the greatest contempt for death, bad squeezed our front in the west at some points, but the break through which was to bo forced at any cost had failed like tile previous attornpts. The Austro-Hungarians firmly held defensive positions in Italy, and had repulsed continual Italian attacks, Which were carried out with gigantic loss of life. The fact that Italy was blowing to pieces peaceful towns whose deliverance sho was attempting could hardly compensate for her military failures.

The economic situation in Belgium was almost normal, and the production of coal for railway purposes was increasing. The Russians had left Poland, Lithuania and Courland in complete anarchy.

Herr von Bctlmiann-Holhveg went on: We have established a new policy, rebuilt the railways and roads, and introduced municipal statutes giving the Poles an interest in public life. Our troops arc brilliantly overcoming all hardships in the Serbian mountains, and tlie Turks with heroic bravery .keep wateli at the Dardanelles, the immediate fall of which Air. Asquith predicted would take place in the summer. The Dardanelles to-day stand firmer than ever. The Turks at Bagdad have also given the Britislnau appreciable blow. The' Chancellor concluded: “Our enemies can do nothing Against logic and facts. Our calculations arc flawless, and no uncertain factors can shatter our firm confidence, if our enemies are not yet inclined to yield to facts they must ilo so later. The German people are unshaken in their reliance, and in our strength, which is invincible. It is an insult to try to make ns believe that we, who arc goinv on from victory to victory, standing far out from the enemies of our country, have inferior endurance, activity, and internal moral power to our enemies, who arc still dreaming of victory. No! Wo shall not yield to words. We shall .resolutely carry on the war, which the enemy wanted, in order to complete what Germany’s future demands. 1 ’ (Prolonged applause, drowning A few Socialist interruptions.) * SO-\(E NOISY SOCIALISTS. PARIS. Dec. 10. In the Reichstag the audience included Count von Jagow, Count Zeppelin, Admiral von Tirpitu. and Count Demborg. During Herr von Bethmanu-Hollwcg’s •fpeecii, i-Jarren Licbknocbt, Lodebour, and other Socialists continually interrupted, shouting: “What about annexation ? What are we aiming at?” There was general disorder until the • est ,of the House howled down the Socialists. Tlie Chancellor several times was deeply moved, and gave way to tears. ■His declaration that Germany would not end the war unless there were ’guarantees that there would he no repetition of the present state of affairs, was loudly cheered by the crowded gal.erics, but above the din was the overpersistent voice of Horr Ledebour shouting. “Annexations! Annexations!” GERMAN PRESS COMMENTS. ON THE MILITARY'SITUATION. TIM 115 AND SYDNEY SUN" SERVICES. (Received Dec. 11, 8.0 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10.

The Berliner Tagehhilt says it is plainer than over that the Dardanelles undertaking is hopeless. It would have been abandoned loufe ago if it had been as easy tp got out of tho jaws, of

the Iron, as, ixy -got in, EnglancPs A*? •tempt tO' conqner MesopotamiaAas-corfc' pletdy failed. Tho VossischevZeitong, discussing’tbo future of Serbia, says, the prevailing Hungarian view that, it would not’ be wise to incorporate Serbia in Austria. Hungary is increasing among ■Slafar-fW a dangerous extent, - ' HERR. HARDEN’S'VIEWS. ANOTHER SIDE.’OF THE ’PICTURE. TIMES SUN SERVICES. (Received- Dec. 11, 8.0 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10. | Herr Harden, lecturing in Berlin, said: “We have not beaten a single enemy, to say nothing of defeating the totality. Some victory must be reached, ! though the task is monstrously hard- j Germany must avoid war attrition at all costs, therefore the people must ; make further sacrifices and undergo I more privations. The Government mißt 1 tell the people the real truth.' The | military authorities approved of the ! lecture and read the text beforehand, ] GERMAN PRESS COMMENTS, ! THE CHANCELLOR WARNED. AGAINST'SUPER-ANNEXATION- ; ISTS. a. (Received Dec. 11, 1 p.m.) . AMSTERDAM, Dec. 10. . The German press comments extensively on Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg’a speech. The Tagehlatt states that the Chancellor was wise when he refused to make suggestions regarding phapg, but warns him not to bo misled by superannexationist pan-Gormans who believe that Germany desires to annex half of Europe. The Deutsche Tages Zeitung welcomes the speech and adds: “Noweven the blindest of our, enemies know how . we stand and how determined we an to win.” THE'QUESTION OP, PEACE. SOCIALISTS QUITE TAME. SUPPORT GERMAN PRETENSIONS (Received Doc. 11, 8.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10. In the Reichstag Herr Scheidemann, in moving an interpellation asking the Chancellor to state tho conditions on. which Germany was prepared to enter into peace negotiations, was unexpectedly moderate .and evidently was not : . desirous of embarrassing the Government. He said the Socialists strongly opposed tho making of this war ono of ' conquest. They were unanimous in ; their determination to fdefend their ,i country, and would,not hear of a-sepa- j ration from Alsace and Lorraine. The German people desired war‘not a day. longer than was necessary to secure tho independence of the country. The starvation plan had failed, as Germany had twenty million pigs and as many potatoes as they were able to use. sCriminal, if hostile, statesmen- on- -1 deavoured to 'delude the nations into : thinking the situation could change to Germany’s disadvantage, Germany was I able and determined to defend her own hearths. The Socialists therefore desired the. first decisive step for peace to emanate -from Germany. ■ ; THE CHANCELLOR’S REPLY. Herr von Bethinann-Hbllw.eg, replying to tho interpellation, said an offer ■ of peace by Germany was folly while her enemies maintained their hypocrisy and ignorance. All disguises must first he dropped. If,the enemies brought forward any proposals proper to Germany’s dignity she was always ready to discuss them. Germany was in full consciousness of her successes, but declined responsibility for the continuation of the distress which was : filling I Europe and the world. Nobody could say that she desired to prolong the war . for the sake of conquest. He was unable to say what guarantees Germany ; would demand as regards Belgium. “Neither in the cast nor west must enemies hold a means, of invading our country by which they could-threaten us more strongly {ban before the war. We must also safeguard the economic development. This war throughout has been a defensive War of the G'erman nation and its future.”

GERMANY’S GIGANTIC SUCCESSES. He continued: “We hare’gained gigantic successes and have deprived the enemy of one hope after another. When the road to Turkey was opened, threatening the most vulnerable point in the British Empire, the enemies must have recognised that they ’had lost. time. If 1 am to speak on peace conditions we must first see’the., enemies’ conditions, and -their - ambitions have not changed, despite what has happened. Recent speeches in the House of Lords found hardly an coho in the British press. Air. Asquith at the Guildhall said, that the objects, of the war were the same as at the beginning. including the freedom of small States; but the small States who believed that must now be cured r since if England fights for them they will _ faro badly. The destruction of Prussian militarism means the finishing for. evpr of the groat State-whose development has filled its enemies -with envy and distrust. England’s Allies took up this battle-cry. Such-cries and the talk of restoring Alsace and Poland and conquering Constantinople are merely, bluff. The enemy peoples have_ been fed with false hopes, and now find that victories have not been gamed and that they have suffered many military and diplomatic defeats. They have sacrificed hecatombs, yet we stand far within their territories. AVe have opened the way to tho south and- east and hold valuable securities. THE AVAR OF EXHAUSTION. “But the enemy cannot give up Abo delusion that Germany must be crushed, and has now placed her hopes in a wax of exhaustion. Our provisions are sufficient, and concerning the exhaustion of men we have not gone as far as Russia. AVe do not intend to extend tlie age limit- as they have done Our. losses are smaller than those of > tho French. The depth of the enemy's hate is shown in the Barralong case, in which a British warship murdered tho crew of a helpless German submaime. The British press hushed up tnis. Tho British have been proud of thenavya : spirit, hut they cannot reply te Drill murder, which remains a black*-stam on the navy’s history.” Herr Lansberg, spokesman -or tho Socialists, said they were ready for an honourable peace safeguarding against frivolous attafks. AVhoever attempted to carve up Germany would encounter a united people. Tim debate was-adjourned.