GENERAL SKOBELOFF'S SPEECH.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1528, 20 April 1882, Page 4

GENERAL SKOBELOFF'S SPEECH.

Thk following were the remarks by General Skobeloff at Paris, which set all the Continent by the ears :—": — " If Russia does not always show herself equal to her patriotic duties in general, and to her .Slav > ole in particular, it is because both within and without she is held in check by a foreign influence. We are not at home in our own house. The foreigner is everywhere and his hand is everything. We are the dupes of his policy, the victims of his intrigues, the slaves of his power. We are dominated and paralysed to such an extent by his innumerable and disastrous influences that if we are to deliver ourselves from them,' as I hope we shall some day or other, it an only be done by us sword in hand. And if you wish to know the name of this foreigner, this intruder and intriguer, tins enemy so dangerous to Russia and .Slavs, I will name him. It is the German. I repeat it, and I bog you will never forget it. The enemy is the Geiman. A struggle between the the Slav and the Teuton is inevitable. It will be long, sanguinary, and terrible, but the Slav will triumph." General Skobeloff added :: — {i If anyone attempts to molest the States i recognised, thank goodness you will not be alone ; If fate should so decide we shall meet again on the battlefield side by side against the common enemy." Although the General denies that he used the violent language attributed to him, the France insists on the accuracy of its report, and adds that the speech was delivered in French, General Skobeloffat the outset expressing his regret that he could not speak to the Servians in a common Slav tongue, "which," he baid, "we require just as we Co common action." The speech, notwithstanding the General's attempt to extenuate it, has produced a deep impression in Paris and a vei y much deeper one at Berlin, seeing that on the Stock Exchange of that city it has caused a fall in Russian paper. The Emperor William has expressed the deepest indignation and sorrow at the Russian Generals' utterances. His Majesty remarked that he had hoped to enjoy the remaining years of his old age in peace, and it was the source of the profoundest regret to him to have to experience such wanton provocations, which, if continued would compel him in the end to re&ort to energetic measures. An official disclaimer of the speech has been published in Russia. It treats the utterance as merely that of a private person, which in no way binds the Government, and cannot, therefore, affect relations with other .States.