IN THE REICHSTAG.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1918, Page 3

IN THE REICHSTAG.

THE CHANCELLOR’S DECLARATION. OF NEW GERMAN POLICY. Reuter’s Telegrams (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) AMSTERDAM, Oct. 23. In the Reichstag, the Chancellor, in a speech said the whole German people were anxious to hear the Government’s ' views on the prospect of success of the peace effort. President Wilson’s first answer to the German Government's peace move had brought the question cf a peace of justice or a peace of violence of the forefront of all countries. He hoped Air Wilson’s next answer would set all doubts at rest. Until then the German people must prepare for both eventualities, either that of the enemy Governments were anxious lor war, in which ease the Germans woujd fight defensively with all the force of a people driven to the last extremity or for going- to the conference table. In the latter ease, the German people were entitled to ask what >a peace, based on Air. Wilson’s conditions means for Germany’s future.- That was a question of stupendous import for it was not Germany’s strength would decide what was right but the decision would resultin a free discussion with their opponents. 'That was a great effort for a proud 'people, accustomed to victory; ■lt had been represented to him that the acceptance of Air AVilson’s conditions would mean the submission of questions legally to an nntUGer)nan court of Justice. If that were so, why, asked the Chancellor, did the extreme apostles of forces in the Entente fear the Council Chamber’as the guilty feared a Court of Justice." The essence of Air. 'AVilson’s programme was a League of Nations, which meant the abandonment ’ of unqualified national attendance and sovereignity, both by Germany and others. If Germany maintained as fundamental, that national, egotism which till recently had been dominant the bitterness thereby engenedered- would cripple them for generations. They must comprehend that the significance of the frightful war was victory for the idea of Justice, and if they submitted this idea, they would find therein care for their present wounds and a reservoir for further strength. When he advocated a League of Nations as a source of consolidation and a new force, he did not deny that heavy opposition must be the outcome, before the idea was' AA’hatever the new days and weeks brought, whether war or peace, the German people would he best prepared, - therefore, by carrying the Government’s programme and definitely breakI ing away from the old system. | The Chancellor then outlined reforms 1 in the Prussian franchise and Imperial Government whereby the Reichstag | would share responsibility with the j Chancellor for tin; Imperial also a measure of autonomy for Alsace-Lor-

name. He said the reform measures would include a hill altering the Imperial Constitution, in order to embody the fundamental idea of the new:, form of Government. This Bill would give th-* Reichstag, as the house of tlie peoples’ representatives a. responsibility in deciding peace and war, hut not till the League of Nations takes practical shape and abolishes secret treaties. The Chancellor dealt lengthily with the modification of military rule, and said amnesties for political prisoners had already been decreed, emphasising that they were proposed by the Kaiser. Thus, said the Chancellor, the new form of Government harmonised with the constitutional precedents. He anticipated criticisms of the political changes, lint welcomed them because of the opposition to the breaking of Parliamentary life. He asserted lie and Jus 'colleagues wore unanimous in the purpose of giving the German people poli-

tie a l authority, and concluded by extolling the army, confronted by superior forces, and appealing to the people to defend the soldiers against the unjust charges and give the new material and food needed.

THE ONLY QUESTION

rAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION

(Received this day'at 12.25 p.m) WASHINGTON, October 23. On receiving the official text of the German Note Mr Wilson says the only question for immediate decision is whether there shall be any discussions on the terms of the evacuation.