AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINING * CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. FULL OF HYPOCRISY. London, March 30." The Press Bureau publishes the 'following wireless Berlin official message: Herr von Bethmann-llollweg made a speech of the greatest importance in the Reichstag concerning Germany's policy regarding America and Russia. He declared that Germany hml not the slightest intention of attacking the United States. Shell nd never desired, and does not now desire, war with America. He added: "How did matters develop? We told the United States more than once we renounced unrestricted submarining, expecting England could be made to observe, in her blockade policy, the. laws of humanity and international agreement. President Wilson and Mr. Lansing described this block-' ade as a policy which was illegal and indefensible. Our eight months' expectation lias been completely disappointed, for England has uninterruptedly intensified that policy. England, witlijher Allies, has arrogantly rebuffed our peace offer and proclaimed her war aims, implying our and our Aljies' annihilation; "Then we took unrestricted submarining into our own hands, being compelled to do so. If America regards this*as a'reason to declare war upon a nation with which she has lived in peace for upwards of a century, and if she thereby desires to increase the bloodshed, the responsibility is not ours. Germany, who feels neither hatred nor hostility towards America, will also bear this and overcome it." \ ' The Chancellor, referring to Russia, said a time-honored friendship ended with the death of the Czar Alexander 11. -The Emperor Nicholas drifted into the Entente's wake afld into Panslavistic currents, and finally became a partisan of the war party and declined to listen in July, 1914, to the Kaiser's appeal. When in 1905 the Japanese war and the ensuing revolution reduced Russia to dire stress the Kaiser urged the Czar no longer to oppose the nation's vHahes for reforms. The Emperor Nicholas preferred other roads. Had Russia concentrated upon internal reconstruction she would have avoided the restless policy of expansion which led to' the war, Herr von Bethnwnn-Hollwcg characterised as lies and Blander tlie roports that Germany desired to abolish Russia's' hardly won«frecdom and that the Kaiser would like to re-establish a of Czardom over enslaved subjects., ' The methods of reconstruction and internal affairs were purely the business of the Russians themselves. Germany would not meddle with them. Her onlyjhope was that conditions in Russia would develop in such wise as to make her a strong and firm bulwark of* peace.

The Chancellor asserted thit China's rupture of relations was the result of outside pressure. He was confident that the old friendship with China would revive after the war, when Germany would recover her trade in east Asia. We nre convinced the result of the war will enable Germany to rebuild her trade and influence in the East at her enemies' expense. Friendliness will revive if China continues the necessary resistance against her present protectors' agotism and greed.

Warm thanks were due to Field-Mar-shal von Hindenburg and General Ludendorff for what tliey had accomplished on the western front.' The Chancellor boasted of the success of German submarines and concluded by referring to internal questions. He, declared that the speeches in the Reichstag had not vinced him of the possibility of beginning the reform of the Prussian franchise. It was a most serious matter to decide such a question while millions of men were in the trenches. Amsterdam, March 30. Conservative newspapers coldly approve Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg's speech. Other sections are dissatisfied, especially complaining of, the absence of electoral reforms.

• EMBROILING AMERICA. MEXICAN-JAPANESE PLOT JUSTIFIED. '" ZIMMERMAN STATES THE REASON. Australian Cable Association Received April 1, 5.5 p,m. Amsterdam, March 31. Herr Zinvmermann, speaking in the Reichstag, 'justified the attempt' to embroil Mexico and Japan with America. He did not know how the instructionshad got into the hands of the American authorities, but this was being investigated, though they came into the hands of the United States in some objectionable way. "The American Government, by addressing neutrals, tried to set the entire world against us. It cannot deny us the right to seek allies when that Government itself has practically 'declared war. The relations between Germany and Mexico, since the time of 'President Diaz, have been extremely friendly and trustful, frhile the' relations between Japan and Mexico are of long standing, jthe primitive Mexicans and Japanese being of like race. In seeking an alliance with Mexico and Japan, I am guided by the consideration that our brave troops already have to fight a superior enemy force."

RELEASE OF AMERICAN CONSULS. GERMANS DUBIOUS OF HOLDING LINE. INTERNAL CONDITIONS GRAVE. Received April 1, 5.5 p.m. Washington, March 31. Germany is reported to have released the American consuls detained since the breach of relations. Mr. Simms, the United Press correspondent, states that British officers believe the Germans are not certain of their ability to hold the Hipdenburg line, and that the liberated French civilians report the Kaiser's troops as beinjf greatly dhsa'tisfied with domestic affairs. Describing the conditions of the interior of Germany as being similar to those preceding the •Russian revolution, they say that' they themselves were j treated like dogs by their officers, while the people at home were treated like ~ '■> ■ '■■-: - ■