GERMANY'S PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17689, 29 July 1919, Page 5

GERMANY'S PROBLEMS

HERR ERZBERGER'S SPEECH. VARIOUS CRITICISMS. COPENHAGEN, July 27. Tlio Conservatives ' declare that Herr Helfl'ericli possesses a document compromising Erzberger. The Conservatives also state that the Pope's peace negotiations were broken off because the Entente demanded that Germany admit her war guiltiness. The Tageblatt publishes Ludendorff's •declaration that he never knew of the Nuncio's letter or Michaelis's reply until to-day. There was, he says, a secret indication to the High Command early in 1917 that England wanted peace. Ludendorff, independently of this, learned that England desired an open declaration by Germany in regard to Belgium. The Crown Council reached a decision on this poiiit on September 11, but Ruhlmann (then Foreign Minister) opposed it. Even Opposition Ministers praise Erzberger's speech. The Vorwarts demands the trial of Michaelis for preventing peace in 1917.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. LONDON, July 25. Admiral von Hintze discloses that Ludendorff, in mid-July, 1918, emphatically promised Germany decisive victory by means of a fresh offensive. Nevertheless, von Hintze attempted gradually to prepare peace through Spanish and Dutch mediation, . but Bulgaria's defection frustrated this. The inclusion of Socialists in the German Government and other Liberal reforms were decided upon at a Supreme Headquarters Conference. The Kaiser at first approved of these reforms, but later, owing to Count von Hertling's influence, he informed von Hintze that these reforms, also peace, could wait. Only the most urgent representations resulted in the Kaiser's signature in September to a decree -.inaugurating a new parliamentary system.—A. and N.Z. Cable. . MURDER OF FRENCH SERGEANT. NEGOTIATIONS STILL PROCEEDING. PARIS, July 20 (delayed). An argument is proceeding between France and Germany concerning the murder of a French sergeant in Berlin. According to Wolff's Agency (which has renewed its fullest international activities), Germany informed Marshal Foch that an apology had already been tendered, the funeral expenses paid, and the family offered an indemnity, although this is not judiciallv justified. Germany, however, rejects the idea of payment of a fine as contrary to international law, and proposes arbitration. The French newspapers demand energetic action for enforcement of a fine.—A. and N-.Z. Cable. TRADE WITH GERMANY. BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE. LONDON, July 26. The British Board of Trade points out tha.t it is no part of the Government's policv to discourage competition with the world in the German market. It is sirable that British traders make every effort to secure a proper footing in' Central Europe.—A. and N.Z. Cable. HERR BAUER'S WARNING. GERMANY'S GREAT HOPE. BASED ON LEAGUE OF NATIONS. BERLIN, July 23 (delayed). (Received July 28, at 9.30 p.m.) Speaking to the National Assembly at Weimar, Herr Bauer warned the country against a hasty revolution, which would inevitably lead to a counter-revolution and disaster. He admitted that the people had grievances, which the Government would endeavour to remove. Herr Bauer indicated that the remedy was a law which the Government was now drafting to regulate workers' and economic councils. _ He foreshadowed a Bill i nationalising the electric power stations and the socialisation of mines, and declared that when the State possessed the railways, electricity, and mines the position would assure desirable conditions for the workers. Superfluous luxuries, and especially all imports likely to prejudice the labour market, would be banned. He urged that the greatest need was for all to work to renew national life through the basis of the League of Nations. Germany's hope rested upon the revision of the Peace Treaty, and this hope must spring from tho League of Nations ideal. Renter.