WAR AIMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1918, Page 1

WAR AIMS.

GERMANY’S REFLY. II10HI? HERTLING’S REVIEW. T ATJSTKALIAX ifc X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] AMSTERDAM, Jan. 25'. The Kaiser presided at a Crown Council, wlierent General Hindenburg, and Ludendorff, Herrs Hertling and Kulilmann settled the terms of Herr Hertling’s speech. Hertling addressing the Main Coir? mittee of the Reichstag, said the negotiations at Rrest-Litovsk were proceeding slowly and with difficulty, hut he clung to the hope of coining to an agreement with the Russians. 'Flic negotiations with the Ukraine continue favourably and lie hoped to soon conclude a treaty, mutually satisfactory, especially from an economic point of view. 'Fhe period wherein the Entente might have co-operated in general peace negotiations, expired on 3rd Jan. after which Germany was free to proceed with separate negotiations with Russia.

Hon. Lloyd George and Mr. Wilson had since announced their war aims. Lloyd George showed an alteration in tone, no longer abusing ,and showing an inclination to negotiate, but not showing an earliest desire for peace. IhVyd George while appreciating Germany’s political, economic cultivated position, adjudges her guilty of the utmost possible crimes. We cannot understand such feelings. The Chancellor reviewed the situation before the war, stating the alliance with Austria was purely defensive and was never misused for aggressive purposes. He declared King Edward VTI endeavoured, to create an enemy coalition.

Mr. Wilson’s tone had changed since replying to the Pope he had tried to sow dissension between the German Government and people. He no longer talks of the autocratic. German Government suppressing the people, and does apt repeat, his attacks on the House of Hohenzollern.

THE SPEECH CONTINUED. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] AMSTERDAM January 25. Herr Hertling continued:—-Until the enemy unconditionally concedes to the Centrals territorial integrity, j

•mil reject all proposals and remove the Belgian question from the joint or general negotiations. He proceeded : —Northern Prance is a valuable pawn

•ii Germany's annexation and conditions °1 evacuation must- be arranged be-*-weeu trance and German. 'l'iiero could not be any talk of ceding Alsace and Lorraine which was German in 1789 when France inmorporated it, and eighty-seven per-eent of the population .■•peak German. Hertling welcoming Wilson's reference to the freedom of the ’seas, said it was of tile highest importance to England to abandon Gibraltar, Malta, Aden Hongkong, the Falkland islands and other strong naval points d’appui. ’File -oftlemeiit ol Poland must he arranged by Germany and Austria alone.

Hertling had not anticipated respecting open diplomacy, the demolition of armaments. Germany / was ready ;,o discuss the liases of the League of na j ions when all other questions were settled.

Wilson’s and Lloyd George’s statements contain certain principles for a 'world peace whereto Germany can also agree and which can form points or negotiations; hut where concrete questions wore concerned the Allies w ill for peace is less observable. They speak as a conqueror to the conquered. The actual situation is that our position was never so favourable. If our enemies force us to continue then they must take the consequences. If the Allies alter the programme of peace we will test it earnestly, for our aim is to reconstruct a durable and general peace. This is impossible while the lasting integrity of the German Em

and the Securty of its vital interests and the dignity of the Fatherland are not ensured

He concluded—Our motto is to remain together, and calmly await events Wo are entirely agreed, in this aim. There may he various opinions as to Fhe methods and conditions; but through all differences let us ever he mindful of the Fatherland’s warfare and a good peace will and shall come. The German workers know how to differentiate between the relatives of life and the fantastic dreams. Such a nation cannot go under. God is wit 1 us and will remain with us. (Cheers).

ON COLONIAL QUESTIONS. (■Received this day at 1.20 a.m.,) COPENHAGEN January 27. Herr Hertling replying to Mr Wilson said there would bo some difficulty regarding the colonial question, because it was most important to England but Mr Wilson’s proposals could not be considered in conjunction with Germany’s demand for colonies. Ho believed they could lie. left t" the greatest colonial empire, namely, the British to make up her mind concerning America’s proposals. When such an AngloAmerican agreement was reached, we could see what agreement was possible nt the peace negotiations from our side since we also advocated a now construction of tho colonial situation .

He. added that the evacuation of Russian concerned only Russia. The Central Belgian question could only he settled at the peace conference 'but- had never demanded the violent -incorporation of Belgian territory.

GERMAN OPINION SATISFIED. AMSTERDAM, Jan. 20. Cologne reports state that Hcrtling’s speech was well received in moderate German circles, where the fact that the Chancellor discussed President Wilson’s speech seriatim is regarded as of considerable importance. Germany now believes the Alsace question to be finally settled, and tile legend of her plans of annexation to Belguim and France has been exploded.

Leaders of the. Central Party, Na- / tSonal and (Liberal, supported Hcrt‘lmg. SOCIALISTS UNSATISFIED. AMSTERDAM, Jan. 26. Independent Socialists and Conservatives reproach Hertling for not defining his war aims. ' Scheidmann regretted that Hertling had not regarded President Wilson’s messages as an honest declaration tending towards peace, and declared definitely that Alsace and Lorraine must remain German. Ho added—the submarine had proved unsuccessful and has only drawn America into the war. Hoffmann adopted the wrong tone a Brest Litovsk.

DUTCH REGRETS. COPENHAGEN January 2.1. The Austrian Press received the speech with marked coolness. 'Fhe Dutch Press think the speech brings peace no nearer and regrets ■lihnlfc lie refused (President • Wilson’s terms to except those advantageous to Germany.

BRITISH NEWSPAPERS TNDIG- \ NANT. LONDON January 20. Newspapers characterise Hertling’s speech a s insolent bombastic and arrogant. The wily Hun’s idea is to negotiate with each enemy separately. The speech bangs the. door to peat-*-. The newspapers nreparticularly indignant with Germany in regarding .Belgium and Northern France as pawns. They ridicule the idea, that Gibraltar, and Hongkong will *be ceded. The tone of Tlertling’s and Count Czornuin’ specchs differ; but it is evident that the count is playing a gigantic game of pool.

IMPRESSION IN AMERICA. WASCHTNOTON January 25. Hertling’s speech is regarded as indicating tlhat militarists still control German diplomacy. , The arrogant clams are intended to deceive the world as to Germany * real weakness and desire for peace.