AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1917, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

GERMAN MILITARY LEADERS. • AIR VIEWS ON ARMISTICE AND GENERAL MILITARY SITUATION." Reuter Service, Received Deo. 4, 6.5 p.m. T . Amsterdam, Dec, 3. interviewed by, a. Vienna newspaper regarding the Russian armistice. General ■von Ludendbrir said there must be security that the Russian Government possesses power to enforce the results ot the negotiations. A general armistice was difficult, as submarine activity would havo to la interrupted, so that the Entente could improve its portions, wlnle no supplies reach the Central l owers. The armistice must therefore he short, otherwise the military situation would suffer.

I'ieUl-Marshal von Hindenburg, also Interviewed, said America would not lend the newly croated army to Europe immediately and thus render her#elf fcelploss in oftso Japnn desired to square up old accounts. Regarding the submarine war, it was not a question of starving England within a few months, but inclining her towards peace. Subiuarinisoi had cut England's import nuppiiu and rendered her unable to get Australian wheat.

Hindenliurg added that the local rebuffs on the Western front were accountable for by the fact that Germany was carrying out a great offensive elsewhere.

HINDENBURG AND LUDEMDORFF INTERVIEWED. THE PEACE GERMANY WANTS. OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF RESULT OF WAR. Received Dec. 4, 9.35 p.m. Copenhagen, Dep. 9. The Neuc Froie Presse interviewed Marshal von Hindenburg, who said: "I won't talk too much about which is a delicate plant and won't bear being touched constantly. I oan't interpret the Bolshevik message as a peace offer. We must liavo guarantees that the Government has the power to carry out the result of negotiations for. an armistice. With the other belligerents it is different. A prolonged discontinifotion of submarine action would favor our enemies. We want a peace which will bring durable conditions, secure our frontiers, And free economio development. Unquestionably America is taking the opportunity of the war to .fulfil her desire to create a big army, which it was impossible to achieve in peace tiw>." Ludendorfl', on being interviewed, said: "The war won't end in a draw, but. in our favor." Regarding a settlement with Franco, in view of Alsace-Lorraine, Ludendorff said: "Perhaps we can secure a decisivo battle. The submarine war ha achieved all that was expected of it."