GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1916, Page 5

GERMANY.

THE TRUTH COMING OUT. SUBMARINES OVERESTIMATED. CHANCELLOR SAYS CANNOT STARVE ENGLAND. Received May 12, 10.35 p.m. Berne, May 12. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, in the secret debate in the Reichstag on May 7, discussing the reply to America, admitted that the Government strongly wished, to inform America to mind her own 'business, but political considerations overcame patriotic zeal, and an overwhelming majority of experts counselled prudence. The advantages of unrestricted submarine warfare had not balanced the disadvantages of the war, and a great error had been committed in over-stating the value of submarines against England and her navy. The Chancellor said that he no longer believed that it was possible to starve England, and it would be folly to underestimate the consequences of war with America. He possessed information that other nations would join America if the latter came in, and the Government was convinced of the necessity for keeping the peace. His reply would be worded so &a to reserve liberty of action if the situation changed. Then Germany could cancel the concession to America and resume unrestricted sinking. The Chancellor's condemnation of the overestimate of submarine efficacy is considered as being aimed at Admiral von Tirpitz.

FIRE AT HAMBURG DOCKS,

WAREHOUSES AND STEAMERS DESTROYED, Received May 12, 11.30 p.m. Copenhagen, May 12. A great fire at Hamburg docks destroyed two large warehouses and three steamers.