ABOUT THE ENEMY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12063, 18 July 1917, Page 2

ABOUT THE ENEMY.

HONOURS FOR EX-CHANCELLOR. Australian anil N.Z. Cablo Asportation. LONDON. July 16. A wireless Berlin message ' states that, thf! Kaiser's autograph letter accepting von Bethmann-ilollweg's resignation concludes:- "As an outward token of gratitude and appreciation I award you the Cross of the Grand Commander of the Order of my House of Hohenzolleru." Renter's Telegrams. AMSTERDAM.. July 16. The Kaiser has written to von Bethmann-Hollweg: —" I have decided with heavy heart to grant your request to relieve you of an office which you have discharged for eight years with eminent loyalty, placing brilliant powers and personality at the service of Crown and country. In the most grievous time that has ever befallen Germany, whorein decisions of paramount importance had to be taken, you stood at my sicl 0 with counsel, and my heart s desire is to thank you most cordially for your faithful service." PEACE MOTE EXPECTED. KAISER MAY APPROACH ALL BELLIGERENTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ROME. July 17. The " Agenziali Baraj " correspondent at Berne states that there is a widespread belief in Germany that tho Kaiser, after conferring with German monarclis, will shortly send a message to all enemy belligerents offering peace without annexations or indemnities.

PEACE OUTLOOK. ONLY PEOPLE CAN DECIDE. MAXIMILIAN HARDENS VIEW. (From MR C. E. W. BEAN, Officio 1 Reporter with the A.LF.) LONDON. July 5. Regarding the statement of Jlerr Harden, the great German journalist, concerning the possible end of the war, ho is quoted in London newspapers as having urged in the latest issue of his journal, "'Die Zukunft" C" The Future"), that Germany should fall in with the aspirations of the majority of the world, lie goes on to say:--"The goal of our enemies is democracy and independence for every race ripe for freedom, a real and not .sham reduction of armaments, and a. court of justice before which all who are suspected of being responsible to a greater or lesser degree for the. outbreak of war must present themselves, and for the executive power of which all the States within the union of civilised peoples will be responsible. They aim at a condition of affairs which will give weapons to the right against the arrogance of force, and will threaten with peril any enterprise of attack and remove from one mortal man the. decision of peace or war, and which will impose thai- decision on the people. They aim at preserving the prerogatives of all countries as jealously as Socialism protects the prerogatives of the individuals."

It may be worth, saying here and now that there never has been a, state.ment more closely resembling and embodying the thousands of conversations \pf the Australian soldiers regarding the 'objects for which they are fighting. In scores of discussions from the very first, when the men wovp laying down their lives in Gallipoli, and hundreds of times since, T have heard exactly that ideal enunciated and argued in very different, language, but. almost- always .with the same intention. Harden flavs:—-

"'. " If Germany agree? to that, goal, then pence can bo reached to-morrow. •But if tli.it condition of tilings for V>'liich millions nf people sigh appears .to her ignominious, then she must fight on till one group conquers and the. other falls from exhaustion. The people alone can he responsible, for what is to come.'' Unfortunately, there, is small evidence ihat the German people as yet. possess any independence of their lenders, who abhor that ideal, and without that T do not think tbat there is the slightest; hope of finishing the war this year, or until the. democratic view is forced upon the German Government from without, which cannot be forced on it from within. That T believe t/o bo thfl present position in this war. (Harden's paper was suspended, and ho was called up for civilian service recently on account, of hi.s criticism of the German militarists' aims.) MORE AEROPLANES. CONSTRUCTION OF ZEPPELINS STOPPED. The Times" Service. LAUSANNE, July 10. The construction of Zeppelins at Friedrichshaven has been stopped, and thousands of workmen have been diverted to the construction of. aeroplanes of a now type. The. Germans are constantly experimenting over Lake Constance.