IN GERMANY.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 September 1918, Page 5

IN GERMANY.

GERMAN HEART RAILING AMSTERDAM, September 25. Count Hertling, in the Reichstag, in a speech referring to the deep discontent prevalent in wide circles of the population, said that if this discontent arose from the military situation it far exceeded justifiable limits. The situation was grave, but there was no reason for faintheartedness, as it was not so bad as during the summer of 1916. Reviewing the 'Eastern situation, he said the future appeared uncertain but the former menace had disappeared. Hence a considerable part of the Eastern army was employable on the West front. He boasted that Hindenburg and Ludendorff would be equal to the situation. The enemies premature cries of victory would soon die away. He appealed to the people not to leave the men at the front in the lurch now everything was at stake. Defending the invasion of Belgium, Count Hertling said that if Germany had not acted quickly the enemy w T ould have anticipated the move and invaded her. Germany ’s conscience was clear, because she offered the Belgians money for the promise of neutrality when first overrun. The offer was even ,tppeated after the fall of Liege. He denied that Germany was striving for world hegemony. The world war was prepared years ago by the well-known encircling policy of King Edw r ard. The match, was not put to the powder by the Prussian militarists, While the Kaiser to the last moment endeavouring to preserve peace, the Russian militarists effected mobilisation against the will of the weak Czar, owing to which war became unavoidable Germany could, calmly await the judgment of posterity. It was true an unparalleled campaign of lies obscured the truth, with the result that hatred of the Germans had arisen amongst the enemy population which choked all moderation and just • judgment. M. Clemcnceau’s last speech in fanatical hatred and coarseness of mind surpassed everything hitherto achieved. Count Hertling, continuing, attributed the, American war enthusiasm partly to the huge profits from armaments, and he sneered at the British recognition of the “ conglomerate rabble of the Czecho-Slovaks “as a belligerent power.” He added: The submarnies are slowly but surely fulfilling their task of diminishing the tonnage, but above all restricting American reinforcements of men and material. The hour must come when the emney will see reason and b ready to make an end of the war before half the world is ruined, and the flower of manhood dead on the battle fields. Count Hertling reiterated his entire sympathy with the idea of a League of Nations, provided the equal rights of all members of the League Were guaranteed. He declared that tlie idea of restriction of armaments was thoroughly capable of discussion

Herr Brucninghaus, on behalf of the Admiralty, declared that more submarines were now operating than at any period of the war. General von Ewrisberg attributed the failure of the German blow past Ehcims to the impossibility of securing surprise. Tho subsequent Allied successes ware largely due to the British bringing over their home armies and the intervention of the American divisions. The German withdrawals in Flanders were made in order to prevent a British enveloping attack. Ho added. “The American armies should not terrify us. , We will also settle them/’ Summing up the general milifary situation, he said, “Despite material losses we are well protected.” Von Hintze (German Foreign Minister), referring to the Austrian Peace .Ndtc, said the G-erman Government did not think this was the most suitable mdment for the renewal of such an appeal, when the enemy was suffering from the intoxication of victory. The appeal had, however, been despatched ana Germany, Turkey and Bulgaria had forthwith adhered thereto. . |