Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-05
SOIL NOT COVETED ON
WESTERN CONTINENTS
Teutons Fighting for Their Very
Existence and Future,
He Says.
DEFENSE METHODS UPHELD
Asserts All Efforts Must Be Center
ed on Resisting Starvation Pol
icy of the Enemy-New Bel
gium Held Necessary.

bFNLlN, April }, via wireless
to Sayville, \. Yin the reichs-
tag today the imperial chan
cellor. DR.. Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg, made his most comprehen-
sive speech of the war. He re-
viewed the military and political
situation, the use of various
means of warfare and German
American relations.
He protested vigorously
against the report that Germany
now or in the future contemp1at-
ed aggression against the United
States. He said:
THE latest offspring of the
calumniating campaign directed
against us is a report that we,
after the end of this war, shall
rush against the American CONT
nent and that we shall attempt to
conquer Canada.
This is the silliest of all the
lmputatlons invented against us.
Equally silly are the reports that
we contemplate the acquisition of
any territory on American soil as
in Brazil or in any American
country whatsoever.
I'VE fight for our existence and
for our future. For Germany
and not for space in a foreign
country are Germany's sons
bleeding and dying on the battle
field.
livery one among US knows
this and it makes our hearts and
nerves SO strong. This moral
force strengthens our will in or
der not only to weather the
storm, but also to achieve final
victory
Must Guarantee Peace.
delivered to a crowded house, also
spoke OF the questions presented in re-
lation to the principle of nationali lity,
considering the Polish, Lithuanian. Ljv-
oman, Belgian and Flemish problems.
He insisted upon the necessity of guar
anteeing the peace of Europe after the
war. and also of securing this result
by giving to these races opportunity
of free evolution along the lines of
their natural individualities and mother
tongues.
At the conclusion of his address the
chancellor elected great applause by
saying:
THE spirit of union shall lead us as
it shall lead our children and grand
children, through the struggles of their
fathers, toward a future of strength
and liberty
Reviews German Successes.
The chancellor began his address with
review of the military situation. He
stated that since his last speech in the
reichstag the Dardanelles enterprise
had ended as failure, that the Serbian
campaign, with the assistance of Aus
tria-Hungary and Bulgaria, had been
brought to a victorious conclusion, and
that Montenegro and Albania likewise
were now il the hands of Germany's
allies; that the British attempt to re-
Iieye kut-el-Amara, in Mesopotamia,
ha1 in in, ho
although they had succeeded in occu-
pying ErZerum with superior forces,
had found their advance checked by
strong Turkish forces; that Russian at
tacks against the front in east Galicia
and Italian attacks against the lsonzo
positions had been beaten back. More
over. he said, the Russians had driven
columns against the German lines but
their assaults had broken down before
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg and his
heroes.
The chancellor declared that the re-
ports of the enemies of this nation
that the German military force had
been expended were erroneous, as the
Verdun battle has proved that where
operations are prepared with great
foresight. and where the bravery of
German troops is called into play, one
Voices Thanks to Troops.
The chancellor then expressed the
nations thanks to the soldiers and
their leaders.
Discussing attempts which he said
were being made to starve Germany
Dr. Won Bethmann- Hollweg Continued
II understood that in 1915 our
enemies would not give up this hope
but I do not understand how cool
heads. after the experiences of 1915.
can cling to it. Our enemies forget
that, thanks to the organizing powers
of the whole nation, Germany is equal to
the task of distribution of food sup
plies.
Our enemies forget that in cases in
which there is real shortage the Ger