POOR HOLLWEGG HAS A DIFFICULT TASK.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 122, 24 May 1916, Page 5

POOR HOLLWEGG HAS A DIFFICULT TASK.

A WEAK UNCONVINCING INTERVIEW. QUESTIONABLE REPLY TO SIR EDWARD GREY. (Reed. 10.55 a.m.). i AMSTERDAM, May 23. Bethmann-Hollwegg, in an interview with M. Wilgand, of the New York World, replying to Sir Edward Grey’s interview, recalls Anglo-French statements that Britain and France would dictate terms of peace and expresses surprise. Regarding the question of destroying Germany Sir Edward Grey still seeks to distinguish between Prussia and the Test of Germany, this despite the heroic unity of tlie entire people in defending their homes. He affirms that Britain as well as Germany, has prosecuted a policy of militarism for the past 20 years. There was Egypt, Pashoda, Fie L’oer war, and Algeciras where, according to Grey’s admission, he promised France assistance in the event of war, and both general staffs began to come to agreement. He adds, that Germany averted war at the Bosnian crisis while Britain showed her displeasure to the Russian Government. Grey declared that he believed British public opinion would have approved a war with Britain on Russia’s side. Germany was about to settle the Agadir differences with France when Lloyd George’s speeches caused a danger of war. 2 Replying to Greys’ statement that Hollweg was aware that Britain had never nourished evil intentions against Germany, Hollweg exclaimed, “Einkeisungspolitik” is the policy of envelopment. Adding, documents in Belgian archives showed that even neutrals and statesmen in Berlin, Pari s and London saw great danger of war in such a policy.