AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

"PEACEFUL" GERMANY. HOW WAR WAS FORCED UPON HER. HERTLING'S BLEATING. Received Sept. 26, 7.25 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 25 Count von Hertling, in a speech in the Keiehstag, referring to the deep discontent prevalent in wide circles of the population, said that if thia discontent arose from the military situation it far exceeded justifiable limits. The situation was grave, but there was no reason for faint-heartedness, as it was not so bad as during the summer of 1916. Reviewing the eastern situation; he said the future appeared uncertain, but the former menace had disappeared, hence a considerable part of the eastern army was employable on the west front. He boasted that Hindenburg and Ludendorff would be equal to the situation. The enemies' premature cries of victory would soon die away. He appealed to the people not to leave the men at the front in the lurch now that everything was at stake. Defending the invasion of Belgium, he said that if Germany had not acted quickly the enemy would have anticipated the move, and invaded her. Germany's conscience was clear, because she offered the Belgians money for the promise of neutrality when first overrun. The offer was even repeated after the fall of Liege. He denied that Germany was striving for world hegemony. The world war was prepared years ago by the well-known encircling policy of King Edward. The match was not put to the powder by Prussian militarists. While the Kaiser to the last moment was endeavoring to preserve peace, Russian militarists effected mobilisation against the will of the weak Czar, owing to which the war became unavoidable. Germany could calmly await the judgment of posterity. It was true that an unparalleled campaign of lies obscured the troth, with the result that hatred of Germany had arisen amongst the enemy population, which choked all moderation and just judgment. M. Clemenceau's last speech, in fanatical hatred and coarseness of mind, surpassed everything hitherto achieved. Von Hertling, continuing, attributed American war enthusiasm partly to the hujre profits from armaments, and sneered at British recognition of the conglomerate rabble of Czecho-Slovaks as a belligerent power.

He added that the submarines were slowly, but 'surely, fulfilling the task of .diminishing tonnage, but, above all, restricting American reinforcements of men and material. The hour must come when the enemy would see reason and be ready to make an end to the war before half the world was ruined and the flower of the manhood lay dead on the battlefield.

Von Hertling reiterated his entire sympathy with the idea of a league of nations, provided equal rights to all members of the league were guaranteed. He declared the idea of the restriction of armaments was thoroughly capable of discussion.

Admiral Brueninghaus, on behalf of the Admiralty, declared that more submarines were now operating than at any period of the war. General von Ewrisberg attributed the failure of the German blow past Rheims to the impossibility of security a surprise. The subsequent Allied successes | were largely due to the British bringing over their home armies and the intervention of the American divisions. The German -withdrawals in Flanders were made in order to prevent a British enveloping attack. He added: "The American armies should not terrify us. We can also settle with them." Summing up the general military situation, he said that despite material losses they were well protected. Von Hintze, referring to the Austrian peace note, said the German Government did not think this was the most suitable moment for the renewal of such an appeal, when the enemy was suffering from the intoxication of victory. The appeal had, however, been despatched, and Germany, Turkey, and Bulgaria had forthwith adhered thereto.—Aus. N.£. Cable Assoc.

"A MASS OF GENERALITIES." HUN PAPERS UNCONVINCED. Received Sept. 28, 7.50 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 25. The German papers make unfavorable comments on Count von Herthngs SPGGCh. The Lokal Anzeiger admits that Hert'lin<> was hissed, and adds that members of the Reichstag did not expect to listen to a mass of generalities. The Tageblatfc says: "Hertling belongs to another generation and does not understand our present needs."—Reuter. BREST LITOVSK TREATY. MUST STAND, SAYS VON PAYER. Received Sept. 27, 1.40 a.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 2G. Hcrr von Payer, in the Reichstag, said the Brest Litovsk treaty must stand, and cannot be submitted to a peace conference. Von Payer did not attempt to disguise that Germany intended that Poland and other former Russian states must not be completely independent, but incline towards Germany in Germany s interest-Ana. N.Z. Cable Assoc.