NEW CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 5

NEW CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH

SUBMARINES DOING "ALL THAT WAS EXPECTED " IF THE ALLIES WANT PEACE " WE WILL HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY" Amsterdam, July 20. The Reichstag was crowded to hear the new Chancellor's Gpeech. Dr. Michaclis, who received an rvation, said that the submarines were doing all that was expected, though hasty predictions that they would end the war by a certain dato had created disappointment. "Germany," he said, "dots not want any violent increase of power. If she can obtain an honourable peace sho will not continue tho war a day longer She cannot negotiate while the enemy deuuinds portions of her territory, and she must obtain guarantees concerning Germany's continental and overseas interests, and also her economic freedom. "The Government, supported by the people and tho Army leaders, has decided that if the enemy will abandon their plans of conquest and honestly desire to negotiate for peace, we will hear what they have to say." Tho last months liave been hard in Germany in the matter of food, ho added, but lie, was hopefu lof an improvement. Referring to tho internal policy, he said it would bo based on the Kaiser's declaration of July 11. Herr Scheidemanu (Socialist) declared against the submarine policy, and said it liad done more hnrm than gocd. Ho expressed dissatisfaction w.th the vagueness of the references to internal reform, and demanded tho release of Dr. Karl Liobknecht. ' Referring to the Russian offensive, Dr. Michaclis said: "General Brusiloff's goal is Lemberg, and the capture of the oil wells near Draholiycz, in. order to impair our submarine war. Half an hour ago I received tho following message from Field-Marshal von Hindenburg: Trovoked by the Russian offensive m Galicia, ;i strong attack was inaugurated there to-day under tho personal leadership of Prince Leopold of Bavaria, resulting in the Austro-Germans breaking through tho Russian positions near Zloczoft'. General Brusiloff's gains are therefore equalised.'" The peace resolution was carried' by 224 to IIG.-Reuter. [The peace resolution above referred to is presumably that which tbo Copeiij hagen correspondent of "Tho Times" reported on July 16 as being the redrafted and final peace formula of the majority of tho Reichstag. It is:— (1) Germany is fighting for freedom, independence," and the maintenance of her territory. (2) Tho Reichstag desires a lasting peace secured on the good understanding of all peoples. Tho forced acquisition of territory, political, economic, and financial disabilities are inconsistent with such a peace. (3) Tho Reichstag protests against all plans for economic blockades, and demands freedom of tho seas after the war. It advocates the establishment of an International Court. (t) Whilst enemy Governments do not accept such a peace the German people unanimously agreo to continue tho fight.] AVAR VOTE OP CARRIED. (Rec. July 22, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 21. The Reichstag, without discussion, road a third (imo the Bill for a war credit of .£750,000,000, the minority Socialists alone voting against it.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HOW THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH WAS RECEIVED (Rec. July- 22, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 21. Reports from Berlin stato Ihat Dr. Michaelis's speech created an unsatisfactory impression—it pleased neither side. The Houso passed the- peace resolution, although Dr. Michaclis did not approve of it. This is regarded as a sign of want of confidence, evoked by his overdiplomatic speech. Dr. Michaelis's announcement that he favoured peace by conciliation is believed to be a hint of possible neutral mediation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesu. ! MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S COMMENT PHRASES THAT MEAN MORE AVAR. ! (Rec. July 22, ll.lSi p.m.) London, July 21. The Prime Minister (Mr. Lloyd George), speaking at the Belgian Independence Day Feast at the Queen's Hall, referring to the German Chancellor's speech, asked what bono of an honourable peace it contained. It was a dexterous facing-all-ways speech. It was the speech of a man awaiting a military issue. "Let the Allies bear-that in mind," ho said. "There are phrases in v the speech that the German military powers will understand. Phrases about making the frontiers of Germany secure. That phrase annexed* Alsace-Lorraine, and has drenched Europe in blood since 1914. That phrase, if they dare, will annex Belgium and Courland, and again precipitate. Europe in a welter of blood within a generation, unless it is wiped out on the battlefields of Europe."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter. SIR EDWARD CARSON ON TREATY NEGOTIATIONS. (Rec. July 22, 5.5' p.m.) London, July 21. Sir Edward Carson has been accorded tho Freedom of Belfast. In his speech at the function, describing Dr. Michaelis's speech, lie said: "If the Germans want peace we are prepared tomorrow to treat, not with Prussianism, but with the rest of the German nation. If they are sincere in repudiating their wish to acquire territory or to oxerciso violence towards others, we will tell them to come forward and offer to enter negotiations, but conditionally on their first withdrawing behind tho 'Rhine. When they show contrition for drenching countries in blood we shall be willing to see what can be done to release the world from the terrors of arms. But there must be a real peace, ensuring that the sacrifices made by those that have fallen havo not been in vain." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRIA'S DESIRE FOR PEACE (Rec. July 22, 5.5 p.m.) The Hague, July 21. It is slated in diplomatic circles that the Emperor Carl intended last week officially to appeal to tho Pope, King Alfonso of Spain, and Queen Wilhelmina of Holland to mediate for peace. Notice had been given to Germany, and approval secured, whon at the last minute news reached Vienna of impending troubles in Russia, which had been foreseen in Berlin several days ahead. Thereupon the mediation plans wore relin-quished.—Aus.-N.Z.- Cable Assn. REPORTED ATTEMPT ON THE KAISER'S LIFE (Rec. July 22, 5.5 p.m.) Zurich, July 21. The frontier paper, "Echo von RheinI'all," reports that according to stories by German deserters a soldier threw a bomb at tho Kaiser's motor-car last June. The Kaiser's chauffeur and an adjutant were killed. Some say that the Kaiser escaped. Others report that he was injured. It is a noteworthy fact that the Kaiser did not attend the recent political conferences, the Crown Prince acting as his representative.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SECRET PEACE MISSION FROM BULGARIA London, July 20. According In the ".Morning Post's" Rome correspondent, the "Mcssugero" slates that secret Bulgarian emissaries have reached Switzerland with a view to sounding the Entente towards a separate

peace, with llio argument that the Bulgarians aro not really at war -with us but only with Serbia. Tsar Ferdinand, imitating the. Kaiser, has sent tho Socialist leader, Sakaroff, to beguile the. Allied and neutral comrades, while thrco Bulgarian professors are expected to insinuate themselves into professorial circles.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assh.