GERMANY

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1915, Page 5

GERMANY

IN THE REICHSTAG. THE PEACE DEBATE, CHANCELLOR'S SPECIAL PLEADING. Amsterdam, Dec. 9. The galleries of the Reichstag were crowded in anticipation of the momentous peace debate. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, commenting on Bulgaria's intervention, said the Entente since the commencement of the war had made increasing efforts to induce King Ferdinand to join in, promising him most liberal portions of Austro-Ilungary, Turkish anil Greek territory. They not only gave away enemy and neutral territory, but did not spare Serbia, for whose menaced integrity Russia had declared war, for whose liberation the Entente Powers pretend to be fighting. The Entente asked Serbia to make territorial concessions, but Serbia v.'as disinclined to agree, and thus our enemies remained at variance. '.The Bulgarians' justifiable national demands after the last Balkan war were considerably restricted in favor of Serbia. Continuing, the Chancellor said that Russia had left Bulgaria in the lurch, and despite the fact that the latter bore the main burden of the war, Bulgaria saw the fruits of her victories going to Serbia. The latter was given preference because she bad advanced her power against Austria. King Ferdinand has now redeemed the pledge made at the end of the second Balkan war, namely, that the Bulgarian colors, which, after glorious lighting and severe disappointments, hail been furled in July, should fly over her lost territories after vigoi• ous fighting. Serbia, instead of seeking an understanding in order to save the country, from the sacrifices involved in a fresh campaign, had decided not only to oppose the united Austro-German attack, but also to attack Bulgaria. THE ROAD TO THE NEAR EAST. OF INESTIMABLE VALUE. To gain an open road to the Near East was a milestone which, from a military point of view, could not be over-rated in value. From an' economic standpoint it allowed a welcome arrival of Turkish produce. Germany, thanks to King Ferdinand's far-seein<; policy, had a strong bridge constructed between the Central Empires and the Orient, which would be used after peace for the universal work of Kultur.

OUR POLICY IN GREECE. Tlcrr von Bethmann-Hsllweg strongly Rttacked the Entente's policy in Greece, and reproached England for using her fleet in support of a breach of Greek neutrality. England, he said, had managed to impress the world with the idea that she must punish Germany for violating Belgium's neutrality, but they now know that England was tied up with France without Parliament's knowledge. Sir Edward Grey wa? forced to join the war, either voluntarily or otherwise, before the question of Belgium's neutrality ever arose. ''WORLD LAUGHS AT ENGLAND." England was no longer justified in denouncing German militarism, when she plays a hypocritical part with Greece. The world now knows, and at present the world's laughter was being continued to please England. All the reports that Germany was seeking peace were foolish legends which the Entente were spreiding in order to cover their military failures. He could not discuss tbrrns now, but the longer the Allies forced war on Germany the stronger she became, and therefore the more severe the peace terms would be. IMPOSSIBLE ENTENTE DEMANDS. France demanded the regaining of Alsace and Lorraine, and England the crushing of German militarism; but the Entente had found on the battlefields that both demands were impossible terms. Germany's future must be secured. There was enough food, and possibly an over-supply of cotton coming up the Danube. The supply of copper and robber was sufficient, and Germany was prepared to carry war into other fields. . THE CAMPAIGNS. The Germans and Austro-llungariars were occupying well-consolidated strong defensive positions in Russia, and we are always ready for a further advance. Tt is true that the French and the British, with tMe greatest contempt for death, had squeezed our front in the Went at some points, but the break through which was to be forced at any cost had failed like the previous attempts. The Austro-Hungarians firmly hold defensive positions in Italy, and had repulsed continual Italian attacks, which were carried out with gigantic loss of life. The fact that Italy was blowing to pieces peaceful towns whoso deliverance she was attempting could hardly compeasate for her military failures. The economic situation in Belgium ■was almost normal, and the production of coal for railway purposes was increasing. The Russians had left Poland, Lithuania, and Courland in complete anarchy. HUNS' POLICY IN POLAND. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg went on: We have established a new policy, rebuilt the railways and roads, and introduced municipal statutes giving the Poles an interest in public life. Our troops are brilliantly overcoming all hardships in the Serbian mountains, and the Turks with heroic bravery keep watch at the Dardanelles, the immediate fall of which Mr. Asquith predicted would take place in the summer. Tho Dardanelles to-day stand firmer than ever. The Turks at Bagdad have also given the British an appreciable blow. CONCLUDING PERORATION. The Chancellor concluded: "Our enemies can do nothing against logic and facts. Our calculations are flawless, and no uncertain factors can shatter our firm confidence. If our enemies are not yet inclined to yield to facts they must do so later. The German people are unshaken in their reliance, and in our strength, which is invincible. It is an insult to try to make us believe that we, who are going on from victory to victory, standing far out from the enemies of our country, have inferior endurance, activity, and internal moral power to our enemies, who are still dreaming of victory. No! We shall not yield to words. We shall resolutely carry on the war, which the enemy wanted, in order to complete what Germany's future demands." (Prolonged applause, drowned by a few Socialist 1 iaterru»tw»».i

SCENE IN THE CHAMBER. CHANCELLOR CRIES. SOCIALISTS CAUSE A DIN. Received Dec. 10, 10.50 p.m. Paris, Bee, 10. In the Reichstag the audience included Count von Jagow, Count Zeppelin, Admiral von Tirpitz, and Count Bernberg. During' 1-lerr von Bethmann-Hollwcg's speech, Herren Liebkneclit, Ledebour, and other Socialists continually interrupted, shouting: "What about annexation? What are we aiming at?" There was general disorder until the rest of the House howled down the Socialists.

The Chancellor several times was deeply moved, and gave way to tears. His declaration that Germany would not end the war unless there were guarantees that there would be no repetition of the present state of affairs, was loudly cheered by the crowded galleries, hut above the din was the everpersistent voice of Herr Lcdebour shouting, "Annexations. Annexations!"

UNSATISFACTORY HOSPITAL CONDITIONS. London, Dec. 9. The American Ambassador in Berlin reports that at Dr. Neiler's sanatorium, in which British civilians are treated, though some of the buildings are clean they are overcrowded, and no effort is made to segregate communicable disease. There appears a likelihood of having the matter remedied. The Embassy officers are convinced that the proprietary cares more for the pecuniary gain than for the humanitarian side of the work.

PEACE DEMONSTRATION DISPERSED. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Dee. 9. Zurich asserts that at the recent peace demonstrations in Berlin ten thousand assembled at night in the Unter den Linden. They sang the Marseillaise and yelled, "We want peace and bread." Mounted police dispersed the crowd, many of whom were arrested. Newspapers have been forbidden to refer to it. THE GERMAN NAVY. Times and Sydney Suta Services. London, Dec. 9. The Vossiche Zeitung's representative describes the German navy at sea. Obviously its object is to defend the German people. The naval cruiser fleet is ready for action day and night. This writer glowingly depicts the gallant officers and seamen in the Kiel Canal minimising sleep and watching to engage the enemy'