Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-06

HollWeg protested Ni6oioo9iJ al Iho
poicbstag today against the report that
..orn,an now or in the future contem-
n,a,ed aggression against the United
States.
The chancellor said:
oThe latest offspring of the calum
;rstine campaign directed against us
- report that we, after the end Of
his war, shall rush against the Amer
;ean continent and that we shall at
,empt to conquer Canada.
Not Anticipating Extension
"rhis is the silliest of all the i'm
,utations invented against us. Equal
l., s,l,v are the reports that we con-
template the acquisition Of any terri
,o,v on American soil. as in Brazil OF
in any American country whatsoever.
I'VE fight for our existence and for
MIR future. For Germany and not for
mace in foreign country are Ger
,nanv's sons bleeding and dying on the
battlefield.
Everyone among Us knows this and
!, makes our hearts and nerves so
strong. This moral force strengthens
our will in order not only to weather
tho storm but also to achieve final vic
tory.
Reviews Allies Failures
The chancellor began his address
with a. review of the military situa-
ton. He stated that since his las
speech in the Rechstag the Dardan-
Giles enterprise had ended as fall
ure, that the Serbian campaign, with
me assistance of Austria Hungary and
bulgaria, had been brought to a vic
torious conclusion. and that Montene-
gro and Albania likewise now were in
The hands of Germany's allies; that the
British attempt to relieve kut Ell
lmara, in Mesopotania, had been in
vain: that the Russians, although they
had succeeded in occupying Erzerum
with superior forces, had found their
advance checked by strong Turkish
forces; that Russian attacks against
the front in East Galacia and Italian
attacks against the ISonZo positions
lad been beaten back. Moreover. he
said the Russians had driven columns
against the German lines but their
assaults had broken down before Field
Marshal Won Hindenburg and his he
r0es.
German Bravery
The chancellor declared that the re-
ports of the enemies of this nation
that the German military forces had
leen expended, were erroneous. as the
Nerdun battle has proved that where
operations are prepared with great
foresight and where the bravery of the
German troops is called into play one
advantage after another is obtained.
Discussing attempts which he said
were being made to starve Germany
Dr.. Won Bethmann- Hollweg continued:
I understand that in 1915 our enc
mics would not give up this hope, but
do not understand how cool heads, at
Ter the experiences of 1915, can cling
TO it. Our enemies forget that. thanks
10 the organizing powers of the whole
nation. Germany is equal TO the task
OF distribution of food supplies.
Moral Reserve of Germany
Our enemies forget that in cases IN
which there is a real shortage the Ger
man nation is able to make use of
moral reserves which enable us to
lower our standards of life. which have
ilsen remarkably during the last de-
Cade
We shall not run short of anything
III the future, as we have not done in
the past" he said.
The chancellor turned to the subject
OF eventual conditions Of peace after
brief reference to the entrance Of
ioftlgal into the war. He pointed out
mat IN his speech of Sept. he had
eeclared readiness to enter into dis
'ussion Of peace, but that then, as
now Germany's enemies declined.
Let us suppose l suggest to Mr..
"squlth to sit down with me at table
ana examine the possibilities Of peace.
ne continued, and Mr.. Asquith begins
WIN claim of definitive and COM
s'ete destruction Of Prussia's military
p'"er. The converse ton would be
tnued before it began. To these peace
tohoitions only one answer would be
'ei', and this answer our sword must
eive.
Up to the Enemy
II our adversaries want to continue
wy slaughter of human beings and the
-. .e'ds'ation of Europe theirs will be
,Ae guilt, and we shall have to stand
It as men.
our enemies wish to destroy united,
,,., Hernany." the chancellor went on.
.. lucy desire that Germany shall be
~" DIS weak as during past centuries,
10y ot all lusts of domination of her
h"'ols' and the scapegoat of Europe,
a'eh pack forever in the dominion of
r, evolution, even after the war
.hat is what our enemies mean when
by NY speak of definitive destruction Of
''ussia's military power.
For q United Germany
~ ana what Is our intention? The sense
=. NV ann or this war is for the creation
w. germany so firmly united, so strong
- protected. that no one ever will, fee,
sr.. "p'ation to annihilate US, that ev-
N. 'ne IN the world will concede to us
fm nsnt Of free exercise of our peace
N. eaoeavors. This Germany, and not
va obstruction Of other races, is what
Of w.. ION. Our aim is the lasting rescue
shall. european continent, which is now
.~e 70 its very foundations.
uh..V iair-mnded neutral, no matter
our e'n a ne favors us or not. can doubt
thi. nsnt to defend ourselves against
~ war OF starvation, which is contra
AL International law. No one can
ha s 70 permit our arms of defence. to
ths,. eS'eo from our hands. We use