GERMANY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 5 December 1914, Page 5

GERMANY

. GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S NARROW ESCAPE. WHY GERMANY APOLOGISED TO PORTUGAL. Copenhagen, December 3. . A message from. Berlin states that during a recent visit to the west front Herr von Betliman-Hollweg had a narrow escape. A Britisli aeroplane located the headquarters, and a British battery destroyed the room that Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg had just vacated, and killed two men on the spot in which lie had previously stood. London, December 3. The Germans three times unsuccessfully invaded Angola, first' from Lake .Nyassa, second from Cuangar, and third from Nanlila . ■ • THE CHANCELLOR DISTORTS FACTS; TO SUIT GERMAN VIEWS. GERMANY, THE PEACEMAKER. London, December 3. Continuing his speech - in the Reichstag, the German Chancellor said that it was evident who was responsible for the greatest of all wars. It was apparent that the responsibility, rested on those in Russia, who ordered the mobilisation of the army. The real responsibility however, ftll on the British Government, which could have made war impossible had it, without ambiguity, declared in Petrograd that Britain would not allow a Continental war to develop from the Austro-Servian conflict. Such a declaration would have obliged France' to restrain Russia and then Germany might successfully have mediated between Petrograd and. Vienna. Britain was aware of the bellicose machination of the partly irresponsible but powerful group round the Czar. She saw how the ball was rolling, and interposed 110 obstacle in its path. Despite nil its assurances of peace London informed Petrograd that Britain was on France's side and consequently on that of Russia.

Turkey had joined Germany, and shattered tlie foundations of England's colonial power. Britain had permitted a monstrous and world-wide war, hoping that the war with the Entente's help would destroy the vitality of England's greatest European competitor in the world's markets. Therefore England and Russia before God and men were responsible for the catastrophe. Belgian neutrality, which England pretended to defend, was nothing but a disguise. On August 2, we informed Belgium that self-defence and France's varplans compelled us to march through Belgium. Earlier the same day the British Government promised uneonditipnal assistance if the German fleet attacked the French coast. Nothing was said about Belgian neutrality. How could England maintain that she drew the sword because we violated her neutrality 1

Ilerr von Bethniann-llolhvcg claimed credit for endeavouring to improye Anglo-German relations. He had succeeded in individual questions concerning Africa and Asia Minor, but Britain's first , principle was that Germany's free development of strength must be cheeked by the balance of power. He warned Britain last July of the danger of her secret negotiations with Russia concerning the naval convention. Germany's military and financial sfiength had already stood the test, as had lier heroism. "They may call 1:3 Huns and barbarians," said the Chancellor, "but we must and will be victorious,'' . TROOPS INSPECTED BY THE KAISER. Received 4, 9.35 p.m. Berlin, December 4. Official.—Tliq Kaiser inspected the Aiistro-Gernian troops at Czcntochowa. Rome, December 3. Four German officers have arrived at Cyrenaica (Tripoli), with a considerable sum of money from the Kaiser in the hope that the Grand Senussic chief will be induced dto cancel his decision to remain neutral.