The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1. 1918 GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 349, 1 February 1918, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1. 1918 GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH

"We nothing extenuate, nor tet down auaht in malice."

"Insolent, bombastic and arrogant," are the terms which the British press apply to the German Chancellor's speech regarding Germany's attitude towards peace and war. The British criticism ot the speech is not far short of the mark, as a careful perusal of the Chancellor's words will show. The Chancellor may not be expressing the feelings of the German nation as a whole, but he is certainly acting as the spokesman of the military class, under whose control, it is clear, Germany still remains. The speech shows that Mr Lloyd George was right when lie uttered the memorable words a few days ago : " We must either go on or go under." So far as the German military class are concerned, they will not consider peace so long as they have the slightest chance of staving off defeat. They are an unrepentant lot, and they have such a grip on the people that the latter will be carried along the road of blood whether they wish it or not. The Chancellor's speech emphasises the madness of the people who urge that the Allies should divest themselves of offensive power, and then approach Germany in a spirit of gentle persuasiveness. The Russians did that. And what has been the result ? Germany's reply to the Russians' peace demands at the lirestlitovsk Conference is sufficient answer. Russia must now accept any terms Germany cares to imoose ; whereas had she maintained her military power, she would have been «ble to dictate her own terms. So with the remaining Allies. The German Chancellor's speech comes to them as a clarion call to stand together and increase their striking power to the utmost. They have but to do that to ensure victory, for despite the (ierman military caste's arrogant and insolent boasting, the German nation is nearer the limit of its endurance than it would have the world know