A German Boaster

Taihape Daily Times, 1 December 1917, Page 5

A German Boaster

REVIEW OF THE WAR,

LONDON, Nov 29

A wireless German official message says: Hertling, in his speech in the Reichstag j said: "We ar e approaching the end of a year full of farreaching and decisive events in many theatres. I am proud and thankful that the arms of Germany and her allies are successful on almost every occasion and everywhere. The Flanders battle .has been uninterrupted since July. The English in superior numbers and several French divisions participated, yet, despite the loss oi

some villages and farms, the German ' front is unbroken, and the enemy is as far as ever from the object of reaching the Flemish coast to destroy our submarine bases. The English I are recognising the failure in FlanJ ders, and are now seeking a decision

| near Cambrai. This -hope is based on I the wholesale use of tanks but has. not been fulfilled. The initial success of the English was parried by the entrance of German reserves.

"Our glorious advance in Italy holds the world in suspense. Italy's army has lost a considerable portion of its forces, at least one-half, and the materia! and booty is valued in thousands. Millions -have fallen at oui hands. The victories will be an effective relief to our West front The English initial successes in Palestinewill not influence the general war s. uation."

He eulogised the navy's exploits in the Baltic, and said: "The navy stands behind the submarines as support and reserve. The enemy is filling his thinned ranks of merchantmen with neutral ships, but they will soon reach the limit, as the number cf ships sunk considerably exceeds those newly built." Received 9 a.m. LONDON Nov 30.

Hertling, after eulogising the patience and endurance of the home population, he said all classes had re sponded to service appeals for money for the war to the extent of seventythree thousand million marks, all voluntarily subscribed. He asked the Reichstag for a new war credit" of fifteen thousand millions. He referred to the demand for reform SWSTor new adjustment of political affairs. He stated it was necessary to recognise what was right therein and tc carry it out with a firm hand, not slavishly imitate institutions of other countries. The fundamental prinei pies of the Imperial constitution must remain unchanged within its framework. The Imperial Government will ' always lend a willing ear to the Reich stag's wishes and suggestions. Germany's social policy, which preceded that of other countries will be rather developed, and Bills will be immediately introduced to establish Workmen chambers and abolish limitations on the formation of unions. j After referring to the fact that the initiative in far-reaching reforms in Prussia having emanated from the Crown, he reverted to the war situation. He fervently urgea"'Germans to stand together, united and firm until victory was achieved. After referring to the Leninite overtures, he hoped lands formerly under the Czar's sceptre in Poland, Lithuania and Courland would be allowed to choose their own governments and to obtain political form corresponding with their condition and culture. Referring next to the Central Powers' acceptance of the basis of the" Papal Note, Hertling mentioned Sonnino's repudiation of general disarmament and of Clemenceau cynically shutting out Austro-Germany and the peaceful community of nations of the future when in the right they succeeded to armed force. Lloyd George declared his aim in war* was the .destruction of German commerce, addin that the war must be continued until that aim was reached. Where is the lust of conquest, falsely attributed to Germany, to be sought? It is now revealed in the clearest light through the Russian Government's publication of secret treaties. Our war aim from the first day was defence of the Fatherland, inviolability of erritory and the freedom and independence of its economic life. We. on that account, could joyfully greet the Pope's peace appeal, and the spirit animating our answer given to the Papal Note was still alive.

Received 10.5. LONDON, Nov 30. Hertling said: Nevertheless, this much the enemy must admit, this answer signifies no license for lengthening the war. The enemy alone bears the responsibility for continuation of the terrible slaughter, destruction of irreplaceable works of civilisation and the mad self-mangling of Europe. This applies especially to Sbnnino. If the Italians, who drove into the war the population of a beautiful land, bound to us by thousand-fold memories, had taken the Pope's outstretcher •hand of peace, the frightful defeat of

their army would not have occurred. ]

Many of Italy's friends accept this r.s

a warning to listen to the voice el reason and humanity. The Chancellor concluded by saying Germany'; watchword is to wait, enuure, air;: hold out. He asked the Reichstag to contribute its part in final victory and locally support him.