A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1917, Page 2

A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW.

Bernstorff’s Views

No Trouble of the Hereafter.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]!

(Received Feb 24, at 8 35 a m.)

New York, Feb 23

The New York edition of Pearson's Magazine publishes a remarkable interview with Count Berustotff.

He says my Government told me not to admit that the sinking of the Lusitania was illegal. Me Wilson insisted that it was illegal.

I left White Hau?e feeling that war was inevitable, but returning, begged Mr Wilson as man to man, not to give np the position of arbiter of the warring nations.

Bernstoiff himself did not approve of the morality of the sinking of the Lusitania.

The announcement has intensified the submarining blow. The Ambassador, who feels the work of years has been ruined, and by Germany, was asked his pirns. The Caantes3 interjected—l want him chosen for Paris.

Bernstorff said it wo aid be a superhuman task, the winning back of French friendship. The interviewer atked why not give back the French province of Lorraine,

Count Beinstorff—The German people would never g>ve them up, We Bre the victors. That is out of

the aneation

A. ked Lii views on religion and the future of humanity,' Count Bernstorif replied—l know this world and do not trouble about any other. Frankly, I dislike churches and doubt whether they are an influence for good. A man is a fool who denies himself any good thing in this life, Berustorff described Mr Wilson as a rare combination of a sensitive conscience and great strength.

The, interviewer adds—Bernsiorff will tell the Kaiser the truth, but will he be in time to prevent the irreparable.

Germany and America.

New York, Feb 23

The New York World's Washington correspondent says Government has been_ unofficially informed through a neutral, that Germany views with disapproval America’s efforts to isolate Austria from Germany, and also regards the preparedness and plans of America as essentially warlike. She interprets them that United States is merely seeking an excuse for inviting a state of war.

Food Riots.

New York, Feb 23

There are nation wide protests against food prices and riots in New York and Phiiapoiphia. Men were shot and women were trampled to d#ath, with many arrests. Hundreds of women in Philadelphia raided the markets and destroyed food with kero* sane. . The police dispersed them.

Referendum Suggestion

(Australian & N-Z. Cable Association),

(Rsesivsd Feb 24, at 9.20 a.m.) .New York, Feb 23

A meeting of pacificist?, representing over twenty organisations, hotly debated the proposal for a referendum as to whether America should enter the war.

The principle of a referendum was approved by a small majsrity.

The Leakage

Washington, Feb 23

It is understood the report of the Senate Committee that inquired into the alleged leakage in connection with Mr Wilson's Note, exonerates the officials. It finds the leakage was traceable to reporters’ forecasts. An Attempt Failed. [LONDON TIMES SERVICE. COPYRIGHT. J Madrid, Feb 23 An Austrian submarine detained the Yittoria Eugenie, oil Sarragona and attempted to seizo eight British passengers. The captain protested that the steamer was in Spanish waters and that he would sooner be sunk than yield. The submarine then withdrew. Austrian Intrigue. London, Feb 23 The Daily Telegraph’s Rome correspondent states Swiss telegrams repOtf So 'n»r’«rne at Court among politicig§§ and Munich with the object of saving the Centril Powers. The King of Bavaria had frequent in« terviewswith the Emperor Carl and when the Vatican was sounded re* garding the eventuality he promised Buppoct in order to save the Catholics of the two Empires from Protestant influences.

Mr Massey’s Views.

(United Service—Copyright.)

London, Feb 23

Hon W. F. Massey interviewed, said he expected the Conference to sit for weeks. Personally ho was opposed to surrendering a shred of the Dominions self governing powers to the proposed Imperial Parliament, which must be restricted to interna* tional affaire. He had become a strong advocate for the creation of a locally controlled New Zealand Navy. *

Canada’s lYork.

[iLETJTEn’s SERVICE.- —COPYRIGHT.!

Meatless Days.

(Received Feb 24, at 9.10 a.m,) London, Feb 23

Returned Soldiers’ Corps

W EDDINGTON, Feb 20

London, Fe i 23 Sir W. Borden interviewed, said Canada was throwing her whole strength into the war. Four hundred thousand men had already crossed the Atlantic and further recruiting was being considered. Over three hundred thousand mon and women were working in the munition factories. Canada had raised sixty million sterling since the war, besides assisting Britain to the extent of fifty million for munitions. The idea of national service was increasing, and was impressing itself on Canadians. Every where bagues were formed for co-ordioating and utilising the peoples energies.

The newsparors have inaugurated a campaign for a meatleta day weekly and have asked hotels and restaurants to co-operate. A number of leading clubs have adopted it.

J. I. Fox, managfr of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Club, has interested hitnself for the past few months in the formation of a Returned Soldiers’ Corps. Hs informed a reporter that od an average about four or five returned men go into camp every day, which means a’total cf about 100 a mouth. “It is understood,” sa : d Mr Fax, “ that the Dafence authorities are willing to extend any facilities that might help returned soldiers to go back again in special units. They would return to camp, remain as a special body there and leave New Zealand as a special body. Of coarse, if there were sufficient to go back in companies that could no doubt be arranged. It is suggested that a body should bs established to call itself the Returned Soldiers’ Recruiting Committee, the scheme only to apply to men who volunteered. No compulsion will be exercised.”