GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1919, Page 5

GERMANY.

KERR ERZpRGER'S APOLOGYi ', ' ';£ GERMAN PEOPLE KEPX IN , IGNORANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Asm—Copyright. Copenhagen; July 26, Hot Ereberger, defending himself in the National Assembly against criticism of his past policy, said that Germany had been kept in ignorance of England's adoption of conscription, also as to the effects of the blockade and the submarine campaign, which brought America into the war. For four years Germany was under a military dictatorship. He detailed the Pope's siiggestions for peace in 1017, which would have paved the way for negotiations, especially his inquiry about the declaration of Belgium's' independence and reparation, Herr Erzberger, implied that England was willing to negotiate, but the Chancellor, Herr Michaelis, gave an ambigious reply.' ■ This statement roused the Conservatives, and Erzberger declared that they were the cause of the prolongation of the war. The Socialists added to the storm, shouting that the Conservatives were Cable Assn. FUTURE OF RHINELAND. DESIRE FOR A REPUBLIC. Received July 31; 11.55 p.m. Berlin, July 27. i A meeting at Dnsseldorf, the Prussian Premier (Herr Hirsch) presiding, discussed the future of Rhineland. All classes of society and callings were represented. Herr Hirsch, summing up, admitted that considerable feeling existed for a republic. An agreement had been reached that Rhineland should remain part of Prussia for at least two years, but the agitation would Certainly be renewed then. Herr Hirsch urged the Westphaiians to accept limited autonomy, giving Imperial interests precedence over Rhineland's.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, COAL FOR THE ALLIES.