THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 June 1918, Page 8

THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH.

THE SITUATION REVIEWED. AMSTERDAM, June 25. Dr. Kuhlmann, in the Reichstag, eulogised the Turkish Government and Enver Pasha, who had covered themselves with glory. The questions of the Dobrudja line, Maritza and the Caucasus remained to be settled, but there was no real difference of opinion between Turkey and Germany. A conference of the Central Powers with representatives of the peoples or the Caucasus would meet at Constantinople. Referring to Russia, Dr. Kuhlmann said the colossal ferment could not be considered settled, so he advised members’ comments to be guarded. The chief task of the future was the settlement of the Polish question as concerned the relations between Germany and Austro-Hungary. Further victories by German arms might be expected in. the summer and autumn, but be would not venture to prophecy the duration of the war.

GERMANY'S AIMS. AMSTERDAM, June 2d. Nobody believed that Germany was striving after world domination, or even the domination of Europe. What we desire, said the Chancellor, is that within the frontiers which history has drawn for us we can live freely, strongly and undisturbedly; that we shall have overseas possessions which correspond with our greatness, our wealth and our capability of organisation; that we shall have the possibility and liberty to carry on commerce and traffic to all parts of the world. This is our aim, the realisation of which ;s of absolute necessity for the life of Germany. GERMAN PEACE HOPED FOR. AMSTERDAM, June 25. Dr. Kuhlmann said he hoped their enemies would realise that it was a dream that they could fight successfully against the counter measufOc which were at Germany’s disposal. Concluding, tie said: Moreover, we hope our enemies will find a way in Luc- course to approach us with an offer of .peace which corresponds with the situation and necessities of German life. Dr. Kuhlmann incidentally informed the Reichstag that the Anglo-German War Prisoners Committee at The Hague had decided not to deport Germans from China.

PROPHECIES BY KUHLMANN. A LONG WAR PREDICTED. HIS STATEMENT CRITICISED! Received 9.35 a.m. . AMSTERDAM, June 25. There is intense interest displayed in Kuhlmann’s speech, particularly the admission that it will be a long war, and probably may extend beyond 1919. The statement caused a sensation in the Reichstag The declarations of British statesmen do not give any hope that we are near peace. He added: Turkey’s advance"'ln the Caucasus has stopped, Germany being desirous of establishing friendly relations with the Georgians. Count Westarp, Conservative leader, strongly criticised Kuhlmann’s statement that Russia should' bear the chief guilt for commencing the war; as a fact, England' is guilty. He said Kuhlman was putting wrong ideas into the minds of foreign nations. CHANCELLOR CAUSES A SENSATION. DOUBTS IF W T AR WILL END IN 1919. AMSTERDAM, June 25. Dr Kuhlmann, German Chancellor, in the Reichstag, reviewing the military situation, created a sensation by expressing doubt if the war would end even in 1919.