TAKING STOCK OF THE CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 2, 27 September 1918, Page 5

TAKING STOCK OF THE CRISIS

GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH IN

THE REICHSTAG

NOTE OF FORCED OPTIMISM

(Rec. September '2G, 8.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 25. Count von Hen-ling (German Imperial Chancellor), speaking in tho Reiclislng in reference to the <leq> discontent prevalent in wide circles' of tho population., said that if this discontent arose from the military aituf/iiou, it far exceeded tho justifiable limits. Tho situation was grave, hut there was no reason for faiut-heartodness, as it was not so bad as it was during tho summer of 1916. Reviewing the Eastern situation, ho said that tho future appeared to be uncertain, >but the former menace bad disappeared, henco a considerable part of tho German Eastern army 'could he employed on the Wost front. Ho boasted that von Hindiuiburg and von Ludendorff would bo equal to the situation. Tho enemy's premature cries of viotory would soon die away. Ho pealed to the people not to leavo tho men at tho front in the lurch now that everything was at stake. Defending the invasion of Belgium in 1914, he said that if Germany had not acted quickly the enemy would, have anticipated the move, and invaded her. Germany V conscience was clear, ■_ because sho had offered the Belgians money for a promise of neutrality, when their country was first over-run. The offer was even repeated after the fall of Liege. He denied that Germany was striving for a world hegemony. The world war was prepared years ago by the well-known encircling policy of the late King Edward of Britain. Tho match was not put to the powder by the Prussian militarists, while the Kaiser to the last moment was endeavouring to preserve peace. Russian militarists effected the mobilisation against the will of a- weak Tsar, owing to which war became unavoidable. Germany could calmly await the .judgment of posterity. It was true that an unparalleled campaign of lies obscured the truth, with the result that a hatred of Germany had arisen amongst the enemy's population which choked fill moderation and just judgment. M. Clemenceau's last speech, in fanatical hatred and coarseness of mind, surpassed everything hitherto achieved. Count von Hertling,-continuing, attributed- America's war enthusiasm partly to the huge profits from armaments, a.nd sneered at, the British recognition of the conglomerate rabble of Czecho-Slovaks as a belligerent Power. He added that .'the submarines wore slowly but surely fulfilling their task of diminishing' the enemy's tonnage, but, above all, they were restricting the American reinforcements of men "ind material. The hour must come when the criomy would see reason and be ready to'make an end of the war tofore half' the world had been ruined and the flower of its manhood dead on the battlefield. _ He reiterated his entire sympathy with the idea of a League of Nations, provided that equal rights to all members of the League were guaranteed. He declared that the idea-of a restriction of armaments was thoroughly capable of discussion. Admiral Bruninghaus, on behalf of the Admiralty, declared that more submarines were now operating than at any period of the war. General von Ewrisberg (?) attributed the failure of tho German blojv past Reims to the impossibility of securing a surprise. The subsequent Allied successes had beon largely due to tho British bringing .over their homo armies and the intervention of the American .divisions. Tho German withdrawals in Flanders were made _in order to prevent a 'British enveloping attack. He added: "The American armies should not terrify us. We shall also settle them." Summing up • tho general military situation, he said: "In spite of our material losses we are well Pr Ei. Hintze (Foreign Minister), referring to the Austrian Peace Note, said that the German Government did not.think this the most Buitablo moment for the renewal of such an appeal, when the enemy was suffering from the intoxication of victory. The appeal had, however, been dispatched, and Germany,. -Turkey, and Bulgaria had forthwith adhered therto. —•Reufcor. Dr. von Payer (Vice-Chancellor) said that the Brest Litovsk Treaty must stand. "It cannot he submitted to the Peace Conference." Dr. von Payer did not attempt to disftiiise the fact that Germany intended thnfc Poland ana tjw other former Russian States must not be completely independent, but must incline towards Germany in Germany s interest.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

UNFAVOURABLE COMMENT IN GERMAN PRESS THE CHANCELLOR, WAS HISSED. (Rec. September 26, 7.25 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 25. The German newspapers make vnfavouruble- comment on Count voi Hertling's speecli. The "Lokal Anadmits that von Herthng was hissed, ami adds: "Tho members of tlio lleichstag'.did riot oxpeot-to listen to a mass of generalities:" Tho "Tageblatit"/ says: "Count von Hertliiig belongs to another generation, and' does not understand our present needs."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.