German Reply to Entente

Taihape Daily Times, 28 January 1918, Page 5

German Reply to Entente

THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH.

GERMANY STILL THE CON-

QUEROR.

AMSTERDAM, Jan 26.

Baron Hertling, continuing his address to the Main Committee of the Reichstag, said:— "Until the enemy unconditionally concedes the Central Empire's territorial integrity," said the Chancellor, "I shall reject all proposals to remove the Belgian question from joint general negotiations." Herr Hertling, continuing, said that Northern France was a valuable pawn in Germany's hands. Germany did not wish violent annexation. Conditions of evacuation must be arranged between France and Germany. There could not be any talk of ceding Alsace-Lorraine, which was German in 1789, when France incorporated it, and 87 per cent of the population now spoke German. . Herr Hertling, in welcoming President Wilson's reference to freedom of the seas, said it was of the highest importance that England should abandon Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Hong Kong, the Falklands, and ether strong naval points d'auupi. The settlemen of Poland must be arranged by Germany and Austria alone. Herr Hertling did not anticipate difficulties respecting open diplomacy for the demolition of trade barriers and the reduction or armaments. Germany was ready to discuss the basis of a League of Nations when all other questions were settled President Wilson and Lloyd George's statements contained certain principles for world peace to which Germany could also agree, and which could form points for negatiations, but where concrete questions were concerned the Allies' will for peace was less observable. "They speak," said the Chancellor, as conqueror:, to the. conquered. The actual situation is that our position was never sous to continue, then they must take the consequences; ■ If the alter' their programme of peace, we will test it earnestly, for our aim is to reconstruct a durable general peace. This is impossible while the lasting integrity of the German Empire ana the security of its vital interests are not ensured. Our motto is to remain" together and calmly await events. We are entirely agreed in this aim. There may be varyig opinions as to the methods and conditions, but through all the differences.let us be ever minCful of the Fatherland's welfare and peace and goodwill shall come. The German workers know how. to differentiate between the realities of life I and fantastic dreams. Such, a nation J canont go under. God is .with us and I will- remain with .us—(Cheers)

Replying to President Wilson, the Chancellor said there would be some difficulty regarding the .colonial question, because it was most important to England, but President Wilson's proposal could be considered in conjunction with Germany's demand for colonies. "I believe it could be left to the greatest colonial empire, namely the British, to make up its mind concerning America's proposal when such an Anglo-American agreement is reached. We could see what agreement was possible at the peace negotiations from our side, since we also advocate a new construction v of the colonial situation.

The Chancellor added that the evacuation of Russia concerned only Russia and the Central Powers. The Belgian question could only be settled at the peace conference, but Germany never demanded violent incorporation of Belgian territory.

I PARTY LEADERS SUPPORT THE

CHANCELLOR.

COPENHAGEN, Jan. 25

The leaders of the Central Party and the National Liberals supported Herr Hertling.

Herr Scheidmann regretted that Herr Hertling did not regard President Wilson's message as an honest declaration tending to peace. and declared definitely that Alsace-Lorraine must remain German. He added that the submarines had proved unsuccessful and only drawn America into the war. Herr Hoffman adopted a wrong tone at the Brest Litovsk Conference

BRITISH PRESS VIEWS.

LONDON, January 26,

The newspapers characterise Hertling's speech as insolent, bombastic 1 and arrogant. The wily Hun's idea is to negotiate with each enemy separately. The speech bangs the door in the face of peace. The newspapers are particularly indignant with Germany for regarding Belgium and Northern France as pawns, and they ridicule the idea of: Britain giving up Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Aden. The tone of Hertlin gand Count. Czernin's speeches differs, but it is evident that the Count is playing a gigantic game of bluff.

AMERICAN OPINION

MILITARISTS STILL CONTROL GERMANY.

WASHINGTON. Jan 25. Herr Hertling > s spocch is ret , arded as indicating that *k e militarists still control German diplomacy. The arrogant claims a r C intended to deceive the world. Germany's real weakness isa desire for peace.

Count Czernins statements are interpreted as meaning that Germany cannot rely o n Austria's support in a war of conquest. The speeches ,it is claimed make peace more remote America adheres absolutely to President Wilson's war aims.

ATJSTRO-GERMAN PRESS COM-

MENTS

AMSTERDAM, Jy.u. 26

The "Cologne Gazette" reports that Herr Hertling's speech was well received in moderate German circles where the fact that the Chancellor discussed President Wilson's .speech

seriatism is regarded as being of considerable importance. Germany now believes that the question of Alsace has been finally settled. The legend of her plans for the annexation of Belgium and France has been exploded. The Independent Socialists and Conservatives reproach Herr Hertling with not defining Germany's war aims.

The. Austrian press received the speech with marked coolness.

The Dutch press states that the speech brings peace no nearer. It rejects President Wilson's terms, except those advantageous to Germany