GERMANY’S TROUBLES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 6 August 1917, Page 5

GERMANY’S TROUBLES.

WHO STARTED THE .WAR? THE KAISER SHUFFLING. Received 10.15 a.m. NEW YORK .August 5. The Philadelphia Public Ledger has published the first instalment of James W. Gerard’s book which contains an autograph facsimile of the Kaiser’s cable to President Wilson, dispatched on the 10th August, 1914, wherein Wilhelm’s version of the origin of the war. In the first published cable the aKiser admits violation of Belgium neutrality as a strategical necessity. He said, received news that Prance was already preparing to enter Belgium, and the Belgium King having refused my petition for a free passage through B’elgium under guarantee of Belgium’s freedom.” The cable also states that King George empowered Prance to inform the Kaiser that England would remain neutral in case of a Franco-Russian and Austro-German War. The German Ambassador in London cabled that Grey had stated that England would not interfere unless France was being crushed. Also in a cable of 30th July Sir Edward Grey stated, if war was confined to Russia and Austria, England would

not move, but if Germany entered, England would, take grave measures. The Kaiser telegraphed the same day begging King George to personally use all his power to prevent Russia and France from making warlike preparation. “As I am in constant communication with the Czar,” King George replied, “I have used every possible influence to withhold Prance and Russia. I am anxiously preparing a note informing the Czai that Vienna, and London are agreeing to a British proposal that Austria take Belgrade and a few other Servian towns, and a strip of Servia as a guarantee that Servia will carry out •her written promises. When the Kaiser was informed that the Czar had ordered the mobilisation of the whole Russian army, which of course was a threat against Germany as well as Austria, I telegraphed King that if he guaranteed with armed forces France’s neutrality. I would not attack Prance. King George replied that he thought the offer was based on misunderstanding. So far as I can make out Sir E. Gery never took my offer seriously. Instead he declared that England must defend Belgian neutrality.” AUSTRIA THE KAISER’S PAWN. NEW YORK, August 4. The Evening Post’s Washington correspondent says he learns on high authority that M. Zimmermann admitted that Germany had a copy of the Austria’s ultimatum to Serbia fourteen hours before it was sent to Serbia.

FRANCE’S WAR AIMS PARIS, August 4. At the instance of M. Klotzs, the Chamber of Deputies by 392 to 61 re-affirmed the war aims resolutions passed on June 5. Thirty Socialists voted with the Government. As the majority of the Socialists voted against the Government in the Chamber of Deputies on the puestion of attending the Stickholm Confeeence, it is reported that the Munitions Minister, M. Albert Thomas, who is a Socialist, may resign.