GERMAN HYPOCRISY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7912, 31 July 1917, Page 1

GERMAN HYPOCRISY.

BALFOUR DERISIVE. LONDON, July 16. Mr Balfour (Minister for Foreign Affairs), speaking in the Mansion House, in replying to a congratulatory address from the City of London on the success of his- visit to America, said that it was interesting, almost amusing, to a cynic to observe how the aims of the Germans had changed with the changing fortunes of war. They were now, through an obedient Press, trying to persuade the world that they were engaged in a defensive war—(laughter)—that the world in 1914 came to the conclusion from the narrowest, most selfish, and most sordid motives, that it was time Germany should be crushed, and that at the present time hordes of hungry plunderers were attacking this innocent, peace-loving, cultured nation for purposes of aggrandisement. -(That was the legend now being spread in Germany and neutral countries. A more preposterous and ludicrous doctrine was inconceivable. Let anyone who wanted to know the. spirit animating Germany before rfnd during the first months of the war-read the German leading articles. Above all, study the German preachers of that date. But he would give a concrete istance. hen it dawned on German statesmanship that Great Britain would not allow France to be crushed it tried to buy off Great Britain by impudently suggesting that if Germany were allowed a free hand she would guarantee that French European territory would not be diminished. The natural question asked was: What exaactly do you mean; will you guarantee the French colonies 1 “No,” was the German reply; “we won’t guarantee that.” Even a child could see what that meant, namely, that a victorious Germany might impose any indemnity, any commercial treaties, and, in addition to making France helpless and subservient, all the French colonies were to be at Germany’s disposal. “ That, ” added the speaker, “ is all on record. Let us hear no more of Germany fighting only for selfdefence. Germany will never be able in our lifetime to shake off the load of hatred and disgust which not merely her aims but her methods have excited.” (Cheers). “The result has been that one free country after another has thrown in her lot with us. So I think it will go on to the end, which, near or far, is inevitable, for the world won’t bow the knee to the ideals of kultur and domination. ’ ’

Mr Balfour concluded by emphasising the incalculable moral and material strength of the assistance of the United States, who did not desire to share in any operations except those in the centre and heart of the great storm. (Cheers).