AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

THE CANTING KAISER. HIS RELIANCE ON ODIN. THE OLD ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BRITAIN. Received Sept. 13, 7;55 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 12. The Kaiser, addressing Krupp's employees, at Essrfn, declared he had left no stone unturned to shorten the war. The enemy had jeeringly and contemptuously rejected the unambiguous peace offer he presented in December, 1916, and similarly treated repeated responsible suggestions since made. Germany had aways been ready to offer the hand of peace, but tho enemy Had compelled Germany to fight for her existence. After lauding the army, and reiterating the claim'that the British Fleet was defeated at the' Skagerack, he eulogised the U-boats, which, he said, were like consuming worms gnawing at the enemy's vitals. The Kaißer then proceeded to argue that the war was to enemy envy of German industry and culture, and that envy had now been replaced by hatred, owing to enemy miscalculations. Everyone knowing the Anglo-Saxon character knew what it meant to fight against them, and how tenacious they are. He accused Britain of criminally attempting to overthrow the ultra democratic Russian, Government, and warned his hearers against rumor-mongers. The enemy had tried to weaken the morals of the German people by spreading false rumors, and whoever barkened thereunto was a traitor to the Fatherland. The Kaiser praceeded to quote Scripture passages showing that the Almighty would sustain his own example (Matthew vii., 33), (There are only 29 verses in Matthew vii.) However, if they were going to build upon God's asisstance, they must have faith, because to doubt was ingratitude to God. Moreover, had they really any ground for doubt? Had they not won pt'ace with Russia and Roumania, and finished Serbia and Montenegro? Was God at the last moment going to abandon them in the West? Only the faint"hcartcd would think so, but the Germans must weld themselves into a solid block of resistance to the enemy. "Now," said the Kaiser, "promise me, *-on behalf of the entire German Labor, that you intend to fight and hold out to the last—so help us God! Whoever intends to do so, let him answer, Yes." The assemblv answered with a loud Yes' ' The Kaiser replied: "I thank you. Now you must banish doubt. Our watchword now is German swords, raised hearts, strong, muscles taut on to battle, against everything that stands against us. So help us' God! Amen! Farewell!" Reuter. FINLAND'S KING CHOSEN. Stockholm, Sept. 12. '• The Kaiser's brother-in-law, Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, has been chosen King of Finland. The selection awaits the Diet's confirmation. —Aus. j N.Z. Cable Assoc. • —— )\