AMERICA & GERMANY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15183, 31 March 1917, Page 3

AMERICA & GERMANY.

HOLLWBG’S SPEECH

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 30. The Press Bureau states:’ A wire tees Berlin- official .message says Count von Bethmanu Hollweg made a speech of the importance in the Reichstag. concerning .Germany's policy, towards America and Russia. He declared.; that Germany had not the: slightest intention ( of attacking the United States; she; never desired, and .did not now desire, war-with America. How. did matters develop? We told the United States more thin once that we renounced unrestricted sugmarining, expecting that England could he made to observe in her blockade policy the laws of humanity and - international agreements. President Wilson and Mr Lansing described this-blockade policy as illegal and indefensible. Our eight months of expectation were completely disappointed. England uninterruptedly intensified that policy. England, with her Allies, arrogantly refused our peace offer,, and proclaimed her war aims, implying the annihilation of our allies and . ourselves. Then w© took. unrestricted submarining into our own hands, being compelled to do so. If America regards this a reason to declare war on a nation with which she has lived in peace for upwards of a century; and if she thereby desires to increase bloodshed, the responsibility is not ours. Germany, who feels neither hatred nor hostility towards America, will also bear this, and overcome it.