MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

ORIGIN OF THE WAR. A NEW LIGHT ON GERMAN WAYS. Times Service. London, July 28. The recent political quarrels in Germany havo brought important disclosures which enable a Times correspondent, on unimpeachable authority, to bring to light startling facts as to 'how Germany plunged the world into war. The information is based on the public report of Herr Haase's speech in the Reichstag last week, in which he referred to the meetings on July 5, 1944, in one of the matters which needed to be explained before the origin of the war was finally understood The correspondent says: "I have it on authority impossible to doubt that a meeting was held at Potsdam at which tho Kaiser, Herr vo n ißethmann-Holl-weg, Admiral Von Tirpitz, Admirals Falkenhayn and Von Sturm, Archduke Frederick, ami General Holtzendorf wera present, but Herr von Jagow and General Moltke Wfore not present. The meeting discussed and decided on the principal points of the Austrian ultimatum to jbe dispatched to Serbia eighteen days [later. It was recognised that Russia would probably rofuae to submit to such a direct humiliation flnd that war would result. That consequence the meeting definitely decided to accept. The Kaiser then went to NorWay with the object of throwing dust in the eyes of the French and Russian Governments.

"Three weeks later, when they knew ! that England was not remaining neutral, Herr von Bethmann-llollweg wished to ithdraw, but It waj too late, the decision of July 5 being crucial and irrevocable. "It- is certain that most of Herr Haase's hearers were fully aware of the meaning of his reference to the fatal date. The subject appars to have been more fully and explicitly raised at the secret meeting of the Budget Committee of the Reichstag eight weeks ago by a Socialist, who challenged a certain Minister to deny the facts. The Minister declined to make any statement. Tho incident created an immense sensation, and the fact that Heir Haase has now raised the matter in public appears to indicate that lie and his friends consider the time has come to bring the full truth to light." The ex-Berlin correspondent of Tho Times, commenting on this, says: "Herr von Jagow repeatedly denied that he was aware of the contents of the Austrain ultimatum beiore it was published and pledged me his word to this effect. The fact that Moltke, then Chief of the General Staff, vas excluded from the plot sheds fresh light on uis career. He was superseded after the first failures of tho campaign in Prance and, before his death, stated that some day there would be disclosures about the early stages of the war." The Times says it is impossible to exaggerate the gravity of the disclosures and challenges Germany to provido a denial 'by publishing the diplomatic correspondence between Berlin and Vienna.

VICTORY VALUELESS WITHOUT BROTHERHOOD. London, July *». The Bishop of London, at a memorial service for journalists killed during the war, said: "Our victory must be decisive. The last thing we want to see is the sons of our fallen heroes called to another war in a few years' time. But victory will be valueless without brotherhood at home. Civil war in Ireland or an industrial upheaval will be a mockery of our heroes' sacrifices."

WORKERS' DWELLINGS. London, July 29. The Eritiah committee on labor problems recommends the Government and municipal authorities to build a million workers' dwellings after the war at a cost Qf 250 million. MINOR MATTERS. London, July 29. Major Archer Shee writes that Mr. Billing declined his challenge suggesting that Mr. Billing should join him in the trenches on the west front to which Major Archer Shee is returning. The Manchester Guardian states that the new Jewish regiment will be employed in Palestine. PEACE MEETINGS BROKEN UP. London, July 29. A largo crowd, headed by many soldiers, attacked the Brotherhood Church, in North London, where a Peace Conference, organised by a so-called Workers' and Soldiers' Council, assembled. The Pacifists barricaded the building and fought strenuously. The crowd broke the windows with bricks and stones and portions of the iron railings i were used by both sides. The mounted police unavailingly tried to intervene. Ultimately tho doors wcro forced and there was n wild sceno outside. The furniture was smashed and the delegates flung from the platform, several being injured. The inside of the build--sns was completely wrecked. Mr. Anderson, M.P., who intended to preside, and Mrs. Philip Snowden escaped during tho melee. . , Soldiers and sailors broke up a similar conference at Newcastle.