SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 17 May 1917, Page 5

SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

GERMANY’S SUBMARINES.

INTERESTING INFORMATION.

AMSTERDAM, May 15

The Tclegraaf publishes an interview with one of the crow of a German submarine. He says that Germany at present lias 325 U-boats of various classes. The latest class carry from 50 to GO men. Naval circles estimate that between 80 and 100 submarines have been lost in English nets. Twothirds of the crews are experienced men and ono-third novices. The vessels carry a fortnight’s provisions. The officers arc young and impecunious. They hope to become solvent by the premiums of sinking ships; hence they lose their sense of responsibility. FRENCH VESSEL SUBMARINED. MADRID, May 15. The French vessel Medjcrda (1918 tons) )has been sunk. ARRIVAL OF AMERICAN TORPEDO FLOTILLA. TO CO-OPERATE WITH BRITISH FLEET. Received 9.30. LONDON, May 15. An American torpedo boat flotilla has arrived in Britain to co-operate with the British fleet in connection with the German submarine campaign

GERMANY’S INTERNAL TROUBLES.

STATEMENT BY GERMAN CHANCELLOR.

GERMANY CONFIDENT OF HER POWER.

AMSTERDAM, May 16,

In the Reichstag to-day, the German Chancellor, Count von Bethman Hollweg, made a statement regarding Germany’s attitude towards peace. Count von Bethmann Hollweg affirmed that Germany had no difference with the Allies regarding the peace question. He perfectly understood the passionate interest taken in German aims, but the only guiding line for the Chancellor was an early and satisfactory conclusion of the war. He could say nothing beyond that. He denounced the Socialist talk of revolution. The nation was firmly arrayed around the Kaiser, whom they trusted, and who trusted them. The Chancellor referred to the unparalleled battles during the first month. "Even to-day the English and French showed no readiness for peace as the most recent utterances from London declared that the war aims announced for the past two years were unaltered. Count von Hollweg rejected the idea of arriving at peace by announcing willingness to renounce successes. He equally declined to set forth a programme of conquest. The latter would help as little as the former to win victory and end the war.

CHANCELLOR REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

AMSTERDAM, May 16,

Herr Roesicke, the Conservative leader in the Reichstag, opened a debate on war aims by inquiring the Government’s attitude towards the Socialist leaders’ recent decision. Herr Scheidemann on behalf of the Socialist®, inquired whether Count von Holiweg was ready to endorse Hie Russian Provisional Government’s formula of peace without annexation. Count Hcllweg, in the course of his reply; said he had consistently clung to his peace offer made on December .12. Recent suggestions of differences of opinion between the Central Powers belong to the realm of imagination. He had always looked favourably on any prospect of a speedy and favourable termination to the war, but if, as now, the general situation imposed silence, he would keep silent. He would not swerve from his attitude whatever wasi brought to bear. Germany’s enemies to-day evidenced no abdication of their extravagant aims of conquest and economic annihilation. “Does anybody,” asked the Chancellor, “expect to induce such enemies to come to peace by a programme of renunciation or abstention. Shall I simply grant them license to continue the war indefinitely, without any risk of losses to themselves? Shall I tell them that, whatever happens, we, under all circumstances, renounce our war aims whilst they who are making an attempt on our existence are free to try conclusions without risk? Shall I compromise the Empire by endorsing in every respect a one-sided programme which

relinquishes successes? I decline such a policy, which would imply the meanest ingratitude for the heroic achivements ,of our people on the battlefields and at home. It would per-

manently lower the standard of life of the entire nation, and sacrifice the country’s future. Count von Hollweg equally declined to outline a policy of conquest, saying that Germany did not enter the war to make conquest, but to defend her existence. By outlining a programme he would be only playing the game of the foreign ruling powers and facilitate their task of misleading the respective nations —which were weary of war —and thereby prolong the war. This would also be mean gratitude to our soldiers. THE CHANCELLOR SUMS UP. SUCCESSFUL TERMINATION OF WAR EXPECTED. AMSTERDAM, May 15.

Count von Hollwcg said: Our militaryposition is as good perhaps as it has ever been since the beginning of the war. Our enemies in the West, in spite of most gigantic losses, have been unable to pierce our front. Our submarines are working with increasing success. Neutrals will recognise this; so far as our duty to Germany permits, w e will respect neutrals’ interests. Count von Hollwcg concluded: Time is working for us. We are entitled to believe we are approaching a successful termination of the war. Then w r ill

be the moment to negotiate concerning war aims, regarding which I am in full accord with the supreme army command. Then we will win a peace which shall give us liberty to reconstruct, by the powerful use of our forces, all that the war has destroyed, so that from so much blood and so many sacrifices, the Realm and the people may emerge : strong and independent, never threatened by enemies, and protecting the tower of peace and industry.

GERMANY’S SUBTLE SCHEMING.

AMSTERDAM, May 15

Count Hollweg in the course of his speech regarding the war position said he did not doubt that an agreement ;jr cached with Russia satisfactory to both parties. Germany would not make demands incompatible with the liberty and will of nations. Russia would appear to decline all plans of conquest by violence. Whether Russia would or could influence the Allies in the same direction, Count Hollweg at present was unable to foresee. He did not doubt that England, assisted by the other Allies, was endeavouring by all means to bring Russia further under the yoke of Armageddon and frustrate Russia’s longing for the speedy' establishment of the world s peace. GERMANY’S PROGRAMME NOT REVEALED. LONDON, May 15. A wireless message from Berlin says; Count Hollweg, in the Reichstag, replying to interpellations, declined to state the German programme of war aims at the present moment on the ground that it would not serve the interests of the country.

SCENE IN GERMAN REICHSTAG. STRONG COMMENTS BY SOCIALISTS. “A NATION OF ROBBERS AND A GANG OF THIEVES.” TALK OF REVOLUTION. Received 9.5 a.m. AMSTERDAM, May 16. Fuller reports of the Reichstag proceedings show that Herr Rocsicke complained of the uncertainty of Germany’s war aims. It seemed as if the Government was not convinced that the country was determined to win victory. It would be terrible if the Chancellor went to a peace conference with a plan to abandon everything we demand, and the abandonment of all ideas for an international renunciating peace. Herr Seheidmann said: “We also want something definite. We oppose all policy of conquest. The Conservatives want to conquer the world.” He said thousands had been slaughtered against the people’s will. Ho continued: “You cannot achieve that purpose by throttling other nations.” Scheidemann aroused a tumult by declaring that the German policy of conquest had resulted in Germany being regarded as a nation of robbers and a gang of thieves. Loud protests were raised, many demanding Scheidemann’s removal.

Ledebour subsequently in the debate caused a sensation in the house by declaring that things must happen in Germany as in Russia. He said: “We must soon introduce a republic, and we shall propose constitutional reform, A committee must take up preparatory action to that end.”

It is noteworthy that the German censorship has deleted from the official wireless the following extract from Holweg’s speech: “I won’t be diverted from my proper path by Sehcidcmann’s threat of a revolution. The German people will show they don’t understand such a word. I am not going to tolerate the suspicion that I side "with the Social Democrats.”

The latest reports give Schcidemann’s actual words: ‘‘lf France and Britain renounce annexations and Germany insists thereon, we shall have a revolution in the land. ’ ’ IRISH AFFAIRS. THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS LONDON, May 15. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law announced that Mr. Lloyd George had sent a communication to the Irish parties, which would reach them tomorrow, indicating the Government’s proposals. It would be discussed on Monday if necessary.

Mr. Devlin asked why the Government had not declared their intentions in the House of Commons. Mr. Bonar Law said the Government was doing its best to- effect a settlement. The communication to the leaders was not confidential. The Government proposes an immediate parliament in Dublin; to cut out Ulster; and to establish a statutory council to transact common business affecting both.

GOVERNMENT’S THREE-FOLD

SCHEME

LONDON, May Id,

The Irish leaders threefold scheme: (1) The immediate establishment of an Irish Parliament in Dublin; «) a clean cut exclusion of south-east Ulster; and (3) the formation of a Grand Council, equally composed of Dublin Parliament members and Ulster members of the House of Commons to transact all common bus'inhss bet woe u the excluded area and the remainder of Ireland, with power to direct, if It thinks fit, that any enactment of the Dublin Parliament shall apply to the excluded area.

INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.

TURKEY’S PEACE TERMS,

ROME, May 15,

The newspaper Idea Nazionale states that Turkey, through a neutral Power, is proposing peace on the basis of the opening of the Dardanelles to Russian navigation, and is also prepared to conciliatory examine the question of Armenia and make concessions on the principle of the recognition of nationalities. THE FRENCH COMMAND. SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES. PARIS, May 15. A sensation was caused by the Council of Ministers appointing General Pctain the new Commander-in-Chief of the Northern and North-eastern armies, and General Foch as Chief of Stall. Gen oral Nivelle commands an army group.