KARL'S LIE.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 May 1918, Page 5

KARL'S LIE.

ALSACE AND LORRAINE, . ’’ ~ _ ~ London, April 12. The controversy between. *M. Clem., enceau and the Austrian Emperor Karl is developing. . ~ sj A telegram was sent by the Em, peror to the Kaiser yesterday, m which he said, inter alia:— ■ “I disavow indignantly Clemeneau’s false and untrue statement that I recognised France had a just claim to requisition Alsace and Lorraine, at a moment when the Austro-Hungarian guns were . thundering jointly with German cannon on the Western front, “It hardly needs proof that I was fighting for these provinces exactly as if it were a question of defending my own lands. ■ “In the face of this eloquent proof of our full community of aims, I deem it superfluous to waste words on Clemenceau’s false assertion. “Nevertheless I desire to take the opportunity again of assuring you of the complete solidarity existing between you and me and your Empire

and mine. No intrigues and no attempts from whatsoever they may proceed will imperil our loyal _ comradeship of arms, and we shall jointly enforce an honourabe peace.” KARL’S LETTER. The note stated that the Emperor’s communication compels the French Government to reproduce the text of a letter on March 31, 1917, by Prince Sixte of Bourbon, a brotherin-la,w of the Emperor, to M. Poincare, who, with the Prince’s assent, forwarded it immediately to the French Premier.

Following are the chief passages: “My dear Sixte,—The end of the third year of the war which has brought such mourning and pain into the world approaches. “None can dispute the military advantages won by my troops, especially in the Balkans. sr - , “France, on her side, has snown a magnificent power of resistance and elan. We unreservedly admire the bravery of her army and the spirit of sacrifice shown by the whole of the French people. “It is particularly agreeable to me that, though momentarily opponents, no real divergence in views and -aspirations separates my Empire and France. . “I am justified .in hoping that my lively sympathies for France are joined with those prevalent in the monarchy, and will for ever prevent a return to a state of war for" "which no responsibility can be assigned. To this end, and to show the reality of these sentiments I beg you to convey secretly and unofficially to ? M. -Poincare that I - shall •• support by every means, using all my personal influence with my allies, France’s (-just claims 'regarding Alsace-Lorraine. “Further, Belgium should hd ; entirely re-established in her sovereignty, keeping the whole of her African possessions, without prejudice, as compensation for her loss.

SERBIA AND RUSSIA. “Serbia shall be re-established sovereignty. We are ready to assure to her an equitable and natural access to the Adriatic, besides extensive economic concessions, but Austna-HTra-gary will demand assurances, guaranteed by the Entente Powers, that Serbia will suppress any~solitical society tending to the disintegration of Aus-tria-Hungary. “Events in Russia compel me to reserve my ideas in regard to it until a legal and definite Government is established there. “I ask you to ascertain the opinion firstly of France and England, with a view to preparing the ground with the Entente for the opening of official negotiations, hoping that we will thus be able on both sides soon to terminate the sufferings of so many millions. “I beg you to believe in my very lively fraternal affection.—Karl.”