GERMAN CHANCELLOR ON THE WAr

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2325, 5 December 1914, Page 7

GERMAN CHANCELLOR ON THE WAr

HIS VERSION OF THE CAUSES BRITAIN HELD RESPONSIBLE Amsterdam, December 3. Herr von Bethman Hollweg, the German Imperial Chancellor, speaking in the Reichstag, said that tho German troops had carried the war into-the enemy's country and there they stood firm. They could regard the future with every confidence, but tho enemy's resistJUSCe «»» not hroJiPHi • ■ v I'&fmm m sot ggt «tjfeg.iisifil

tier sacrifices," he said. : "The nation will continue to support these with the same heroism as hitherto, for we muet nght and will fight to a successful end a defensive war for right and freedom." ihoy would then remember how their aetenceless compatriots in hostile countries had been maltreated iu a manner wnicji was a disgraco to all civilisation, ine world must learn that none could hurt a hair of tho head of a German with impunity. Who Was Responsible? Herr Hollweg 6aid it was evident who was responsible for the greatest of all tiio wars. Tho apparent responsibility rested with those in Russia who ordered the mobilisation of the army; the real responsibility fell on the British Governpent-, wlifcli iKjuM hivve mud.? tte war

declared to Petrograd that Britain would not allow a Continental war to develop from the Austrc-Servian conflict. Sucb a declaration would havo obliged Franco to restrain Russia. Then ««rmnny might have successfully mediated between Petrograd and Vienna. Britain was aware of the bellicose machinations of a partly irresponsible but powerful group round the Tsar, bhe saw how tho ball was rolling, andinterposed no obstacle in its path. s Despite all its assurances of peaco London had informed Potrograd that Britain was on Franco's sido, and consequently on Russia's. Turkey had joined Germany, and tho foundations of Britain's colonial power. Britain had permitted a monstrous worldwide war hoping that a war of Ententes would help destroy the vitality of Britain's greatest European competitor in the world's markets. Therefore England and Russia, before God and\men, were responsible for the catastrophe. Belgian Neutrality. Belgian neutrality, which Britain protended to defend, was nothing but a disguise. "On August 2," said the Chancellor, "we informed Belgium that self-defence and France's, war plane would compel us to march through Belgium. Earlier the same day the British Government promised-Belgium unconditional assistance. If tho German fleet had attacked the French coast nothing would have been said about Belgian neutrality. How, then, could England maintain that she drow the. sword because wo violated neutrality. , ' Herr Bethmann-Hollweg claimed credit for endeavouring to improve Anglo-German relations, and that he had suoceeded in the individual question concerning Africa and Asia Minor, but Britain's first principle was that Germany's free development of strength mu3t be checked by a balance of power. We warned Britain last July of the danger of her secret negotiations with Russia concerning tho naval convention. t "Germany's military and financial strength," concluded the Chancellor, "have already stood the test, as also has her heroism. They may call us Huns and barbarians, but we must and will be victorious." \ "NOT UNDERSTOOD!" . DIPLOMATIC BAGMAN IN AMERICA New York, December 3. Herr Dernburg. ex-Colonial Seoretary for Germany, addressing the Eoonomio Club, alluded to the war ae stupid, unnecessary, and uncalled for. Ho said that' Germany's cause was misunderstood. Her enemies were able to supply the United States with their side of the question, and therefore American and German relations were becoming 6trained. He hoped that the resumption of business between the two countries would find the same epirit of friendliness, prevailing as before the war. He believed that America would play the part of mediator at the close of the war.