New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-11
COlorless and PerfunctOry,
London Calls Speech
of Chancellor.
BERLIN PRESS BACKS
ANNEXATION STAND
Hollweg's Speech Pleases Press,
but Socialists Make a
Protest.

London, Dec. l0.-The poles are no
further apart than London and Berlin
to-day. The peace question dominates
the German capital, while the other
seems TO show less interest in it than
one might expect to find in New York.
SO far as the British public is con-
cerned DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg and
Herr Schiedermann might as well have
discussed the value of angels as trench
builders.
The general tendency here is not 10
comment publicly on DR.. Won Beth
mann-H ollweg's speech, and apart from
replies which may be given 20 ques-
;ions asked in Parliament u is very un-
likely that the government will be
drawn into making an official reply.
The general sentiment is very clear.
DR.. Won Bethmann-H ollweg wants TO see
ne enemies peace terms before dis
,ussing Germany's. The British answer
that England's peace terms were
iearly formulated by Premier Asquith
the Guild Hall on November 8, 1914.
lese still hold good.
British Reserves Increase.
Every one naturally expects Germany
.1 talk peace while at the height OF her
Nil tary successes, but il is pointed out
hat British reserves are just begin
ing 10 accumulate and have not yet
cen brought into action. In the face
L these circumstances Britain Will
old TO her own peace terms even more
igidly than when they were hrst
ated.
Nor IL IL considered that DR.. Won
Bethmann-H ollweg scored any point
then asserting that Greece stands in
he same position as Belgium. The
British case is that Germany guaran-
eed Belgian neutrality, while the Al
ed landing at Greece was made with
he permission of the Greek govern
ent.
The Chancellor's speech is COM
-nted on extensively by the London
wspapers this afternoon. The Chan
llor's utterances are described edi-
rally as "colorless and perfunctory,
ID as an attempt TO present picture
u Germany wsging a purely defensive
ar against enemies which would en-
rcle and starve her.
THE Evening Standard" says that
Dr. Won Bethmann-Hollweg's speech
iisposes of the idea that Germany in
ends TO ask for peace. This news
paper considers the prospect of peace
as perhaps more remote at this
moment than at any other period since
he outbreak Of the war. II contends
hat any assumption to the effect that
Germany's zeal is weakening will
merely lead to an unpleasant surprise
in the spring, at which time Germany
hopes TO surpass her previous achieve
rents.
The object of the Reichstag debate.
The Standard" continues, is to stimu-
ate a national spirit which will make
hose achievements possible.
THE Pail Mall Gazette" thinks the
essence of the German Chancellor's
peech lies in its omissions. 1t con-
.inues:
while Germany, according to the
Chancellor. has beaten everybody and
her calculations show no flaw and no
uncertain factors neither the burden
nor the inconvenience of the conflict
fcem 10 diminish"
allies Acted Openly"
THE Westminster Gazette" says:
The Chancellor must be aware that
our attempts to reconstitute the Bal
kan bloc in the face of the German
ttllls ny UluNut4 COuNtoS4OHS DtNN WI
different states, were perfectly open
and above board, however ineffective
they proved against the superior IN
ducements which Germany was in a
position to offer 70 certain Of those
states. If, when the reckoning comes,
Germany is in position 70 show an
equally clean sheet in dealing with
Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and Rumsnia,
she will have less on her conscience
than we have reasons of supposing."
The opinion is expressed by The
Globe" that DR.. Won Bethmann-H oil
wegs speech should be pleasant read
ing for the Allies. II adds: We hope
MS confidence is not assumed"
Referring TO the remarks OF the
hancellor in regard to carrying on the
ar until the triumph of Germany is
needed. "The Globe" says:
That il good news. What was to
dreaded was that he might rise TO
ONE high conception OF statesman
hin and endeavor by careful manipu-
alton of admitted facts 70 persuade
he Allies to call the struggle draw
and accept a patched-up peace. In
;ucn an effort he would have had the
.esistance of certain influences IN
LIED nations. FROM that uah
ar incomparably the worst and most
,5rle which the Allies have TO face
e speech has gone far to relieve
m