GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16233, 31 March 1917, Page 9

GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH.

ILL-USED BY AMERICA. GERMANY ."WILL BEAR IT." (Australian. and, N.Z. Cable Assn. ] and Reuter.) (Admiralty—Per- Wireless Press.) I Received 2.15 a.m., March. 31st. LONDON, March. 30. The Press Bureau gives a Berlin official message which states that Dr Hoilweg made a speech of the greatest importance in the Reichstag concerning Germany's policy towards America and Russia. -tie declared that Germany had not the slightest intention of attacking the United States: She never desired and does not desire war with America. "How," the Chancellor asked, "did matters develop? We told the United States more than once that we renounced our submarine campaign, expecting that she would makw England observe in her blockade policy the laws of humanity and international agreements. Mr Wilson and Mr Lansing described this blockade policy as illegal and, indefensible. "Our eight months expectation was completely disappointed. England uninterruptedly intensified that policy. England- with hex* allies arrogantly rebuked our peace offer and proclaimed her war aims, implying our and our allies' annihilation. Then we took unrestricted submarining into our own *hands, being compelled to do so. "If America regards this as a reason to declare war against a nation with which she has lived' at peace for upwards of a century, if thereby she desires- to increase the bloodshed, the responsibility is not ours.* Germany, who feels neither hatred nor hostility for. America, Trill also bear this and overcome it."