NEWS FROM BRITAIN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CIII, Issue 15741, 27 August 1915, Page 8

NEWS FROM BRITAIN.

REPLY TO GERMAN CTiANCELLOR. DESPICABLE GERMAN PRETENCE. LONDON, Aug. 25. Sir Edward Grey in a. letter to the Press, replies to Dr. Von. Hollweg's speech as follows:—"Germany's publication of a conversation between the Belgian Minister and British military attache is intended to prove that Belgium was in a plot with England against Germany. The conversation referred only to the contingency of

Belgium being attached; no AngloBelgian agreement existed. Why does Dr. Hollweg mention informal conversationsj ignoring that I emphatically told the Belgian Minister-in 1913 that wo desired that Belgium's neutrality should be respected and we would not send troops into Belgium so long as no other power violated it. Nothing was more despicably mean than to attempt to' justify a deliberate violation of the neutrality which Germany guaranteed by bringing against the innocent inoffensive Belgian Government and people a totally false charge that they plotted against Germany. Dr. Hollweg docs not emphasise tbis charge in his latest speech: is the charge withdrawn? If so will Germany make reparation for the cruel wrong done to Bolcium.

'■lf there be guarantees against future war let them be equally effective, comprehensive and binding on Germany as well a.s on other nations, in- < eluding ourselves. Germany is to be i supreme and the freedom of other na- J tions is that which Germany metes out to them. That is the conclusion .1 to be drawn from Dr Ilolhveg's speech. The heavy burden of thousands of 1 millions must be borne through decades, not by Germany, but by those she is pleased to call the instigators of the war —in other words, for decades whole nations who have resisted her should labour and pay her tribute in the form of a war indemnity. Not on such , terms can peace be concluded, nor the . life of nations, except Germany, be ( free or even tolerable. Dr Hollweg and Herr Haifferieh make it appear that Germany is lighting for supremacy and . tribute. If that is so the Allies are . fighting and must light for the right to live, not under German supremacy, but for real freedom and safety.'' GERMANY'S RESPONSIBILITY. (High Commissioner's Report.) LONDON, Aug. 25. Sir Edward Grey, replying to the German Chancellor's speech, says the refusal of a conference by Germany on the eve of war signed the death warrant of many hundreds of thousands of people, as the conference proposal was the only hope of peace. The speeches of the Chancellor and the Finance Minister showed that Germany was fighting for supremacy, and were a tribute to the Allies, who are fighting for freedom and safety. MERCANTILE MARINE. THE KINGS APPRECIATION. LONDON, Aug. 25. The King in acknowledging the re- ■ port of the Merchant Service Guild, ] writes:—'" I" realise the magnificent work of the brave officers and crows of my merchant service during the war."' WELSH MINERS TO STRIKE. LONDON, Aug. 25. One thousand Welsh miners are striking as a protest against, tardy settlement. The coa! conciliation board failed to agree and the sitting ended abruptly.