THE REICHSTAG

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2890, 30 September 1916, Page 7

THE REICHSTAG

opening Speeches are optimistic iu«tral[an-New Zealand Gable Association, (Reo. September 29, 5.15 p.m.) London, September 28. ( !Ai wireless message from Berlin states that tlio Reichstag was crowded at the opening, all diplomatists. being present. Herr Kaompf, in opening, declared that the jnilitary, economic, and political situation was satisfactory. The war was at its zenith, and there was a violent struggle on all fronts for a. decision. The German position ho deolared was satisfactory ■ in every respect. He referred to the submarines ■ Deutscliland and Bremen; and read telegrams exchanged with the. Kaiser at the beginning of the third year of the.war. .. Herr von Bethmami Hollweg then spoke amidst attention.- —- — : 'i Hollweg's speech was well received. He bitterly assailed England. The tone, however, was less hopeful and confident than in former utterances. In reviewing -Italy's intervention, he remarked that the thumb-screw used by England" with King Emmanuel, and the recklessness against neutrals by the Allies were too_ strong, and Italy was compelled to yield. Her warfare depends on English coal and money. He admitted that Italy also aspired to Balkan territories within the natural sphere of Greek interest. Discussing Rumania, Hollweg declared that King Carol at the outset of the war was.Altogether in favour,, in accordance with treaties, of joining Anstro-Germany, but was over-ruled, and died of shock at the consciousness that Rumania wai a traitor to tho Central Powers. Hollweg accused M. Bratiano (the Premier) after the fall of Lemberg, entering, without his Sovereign's knowledge, "into a treaty of neutrality with Russia, and insinuated. that Bratiano .intrigued .last August with the Entente to secure territory at Serbia's ultimate expense. Tho Bang almost up to the time of Rumania's intervention gave Gennanj • binding assurances'of neutrality, and in reply to Germany's warnings declined to believe that Bratiano was binding himself ..to.-the Entente. . „•