VON KUHLMANN'S SPEECH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 240, 28 June 1918, Page 5

VON KUHLMANN'S SPEECH

PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION FEELER FOR NEUTRAL OFFERS London, June 26. The "Daily Express" correspondent at Amsterdam learns from a leliable Dutch sourco that Von JCulilmanii's'speech, following Mr. Balfour's, may be considered as an invilation to "the third parly/' peace-foe! or*, and will probably result in European neutrals making !•. joint offer of mediation. Communications are already passing between noitrals as. tho direct sequel of the admissions of Mr. Balfour and Dr. von KuMnnnn that they are ready to listen to reasonable proposals. Von Kuhlmann's speech has created a gloomy impression. It satisfied no one, and disappointed p.vifisis particularly, for never has th ' been such a flood of pesce talk in rmany as now. Even militarist writers recognise that tho ifc-establishnient of Belgium must lie conceicd.

Tho "Berliner Tageblatf declares that an understanding with the Entente is essential, and urges the creation of a League of Nations, to which tho future of the world will belong. _ Tho London newspapers devote attention to Von Kuhlmann's admission that tho end of the war cannot be- reached by purely military decisions, as striking a new note in tho enemy's official oratory. It shows that the doctrine of forco is losing ground in Germany.

The "Daily Telegraph" i? of opinion that tho speech, with its promise of tho indefinite continuation of the war, and its restatement of Germany's arrogant term'.i, will prove tho precursor of Von KuiMmann's dismissal—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT. ;■] Amsterdam, Juno 25. .'J Intense' interest has been created by .''. Iterr von Kuhlmann's speech, particu*. j larly in the admission that a long wai- -j is probable, and that it may extend be- • | yond 1019. One statement in particular .; caused a sensation in the Reichstag: | ''.Declarations by British state men," Lo '-, said, "do not givo a rny of hope that ~ we are near, peace." Von Kuhlmanll ! added that TuAey's advance in the Can- ; casus had been stopped, as Germany ,' was desirous of establishing: friendly re- i lations with tho Georgian State. .| Count Westarp (Conservative leader) -\ strongly criticised Von Kuihlmann'u. ; statement that Russia was chiefly guilty i in commencing t'*e war. As_,a matter of fact, he said, England was guilty. Von ; | Kuhlmann was putting wrcig Idajs into > | tlio minds of foreign nations.—Au6.- j N.Z. Cable Assn. ' ! SHARP CRITICISM IN THE REICHSTAG ! VON KUHLMANN ACCUSED OF ■ ! ALTERING HIS SPEECH. .! (Rec. June 27, 7.30 p.m.) -j Amsterdam, Juno 2G. ■ j Telegrams from Germany show that'. r ' von Kuhlmann's speech roused ' much ; anger, especially as he is accused of re- I touching the stenographer's report, so j that the version of the speech as issued ; lo tlio newspapers was different to that • j which was delivered. • :

Count von Hertling (the Chancellor), in the Reichstag, subsequently endeavoured to reraovo somo unfortunato impressions caused by von Kuhlmann's 6pecch. Ho said that ho did not wish further lo discuss tho question of guilt for tha outbreak of tho war. That should bo left to history. Certain passages m Dr. von Kuhlmaiin's speech must not bo interpreted' to mean that Germany's defensive intentions would paralyse her actions, or that her confidence in victory had been shaken. Dr. von Kuhlmann, in a further speech in rcplv to critics, retraced certain passages of* his speech, but repeated that u would be impossible to end tho war by military means. > . Tho Conservatives continually interrupted tho speaker, accusing him of having tried to alter the shorthand report of his previous speech. Von Kuhlmann proceeded to explain what ho meant when ho mado tho appeal to their enemies' good-will. Ho said that tho statements mado in tho various Parliatncnts could not bring solution nearer, so a confidential diplomatic rapprochement was essential. This route would Iw hopelessly blocked if tho enemy persisted in otigmatising such a.n attempt at a rapprochement as originating m bad faith and insidious tactics.' Ho asked: Could not tho German victories bring lo her enemies tho conviction that it would lie wiser to choose the road of negotiation? Ho added: ' Military s«c'cess is the first condition and basis of diplomatic negoliations."-Aus.-N.7.. Cabie Assn.

KUnUr.AN-N ABOUT' TO RESIGN. • (liec. Juno 27, 11.15 ?•'»■) Berne, .Tune 26. It'is rumoured in Berlin that Von Kublmann is nlw it to rcsign.-Koiitev. THE IEAGUeItNMHDEII IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ' EXPECTED. ' • - ' ■ London, June 26. It is understood that Lord Curzon will make an important pronouncement in the House of Lords to-day on the Government's policy.. regarding the Leagina of Nations.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • ' " Paris, June 26. A Special Commission, appointed by. M. Wbot (ex-Premier of Franco) to examino the proposal League of Nations echemo. has submitted pnnnplw •<£ » basis of such ft league to the Entente Governments, in order to seoure agreement before the opening of peace.nego-tintions.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. pbinciplTapfirmed. (Hoc. .Time 27, 0.5 p.m.) London, June 26, The House of Lords carried a motion approving of the principle of a, Leag w oTNatiork Lord Curatm stated that the Government would .shortly consult he Allies on the subject.-Aus.-N.Z. laolo Assn.. • ■