The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-05
Report of Aggression Against
L. S. Vigorously Denied.
German Chancellor Defies the
World on U-BOat Issue.
CALLS WAR ONE OF STARVATION
Will Use Whatever Weapons
Most Effective.
Says Answer to Disarmament
Is the German Sword.

Berlin. April thy wireless 10
Sayville). = Chancellor Bethmann-
HoIlweg protested vigorously in the
reichstag today against the report that
Germany now or in the future con-
templated aggression against the Unit
ed States.
The chancellor indicated in his
speech also that any suggestion 9f
peace on the basis of destruction OF
Prussian military power would make
possible only one answer-the Ger
man sword. He stated that if Ger
many's adversaries desired to continue
the slaughter of men and devastation
of Europe that guilt will be theirs and
that Germany would have to stand II
as men,.
Regarding tie United States situ-
alton the chancellor said:
''The latest offspring of the calum-
mating campaign directed against US
is a report that we, after the end of
this war. shall rush against the Amer
lean continent and that We shall at
tempt to conquer Canada.
This is the silliest of all imputa-
tions invented against us Equaily
silly are the reports that we contem-
plate 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 Tor
space in a foreign country, are Ger
many's sons bleeding and dying on the
battlefield.
Sees Final Victory.
Every one among us knows this
and it makes our hearts and nerves
so strong. This moral force strength
ems our will in order not only 70
weather the storm, but also to achieve
| final victory"
The chancellor, whose address was
delivered to a crowded house. also
spoke of the questions presented in
relation to the principles of NATIONAL
ity. considering the Polish, Lifhua-
nian, Livonian. Belgian and Flemish
problems He insisted upon the ne
cessity of guaranteeing the peace Of
Europe after the war and also of Sc
curing this result by giving to these
races opportunities of free evolution
along the lines of their natural indl-
vidualities and mother tongues.
At the conclusion of his address the
chancellor ELECTED great applause by
saying:
s'The spirit of union shall lead us.
as it shall lead our children ana
grandchildren through the struggles
of their fathers, toward a future of
strength and liberty"
Reviews Military Victories.
The chancellor began his address
with a review of the military situa-
ton He stated that since his last
speech in the Reichstag. the Darda-
neIleS enterprise had ended as a fail
ure that the Serbian campaign. with
the assistance of Austria-Hungary and
Bulgaria, has brought to a victorious
conclusion and that Montenegro and
Albania likewise were now in the
hands of Germany's allies; that the
British attempt to relieve kut-e1-
Amara in Mesopotamia had been In
vain: that the Russians although they
had succeeded in occupying Erzerum
h orsn 40
advance checked strong Turkish
forces. the Russian attacks against
the front in east Galicia and Italian
attacks against the Isonzo position
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
reports Of the enemy 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
advantage after another is obtained.
The chancellor then expressed the
nations thanks to the soldiers and
their leaders.
Trying to Starye Germany.
Discussing attempts which he saiz
were being made to starve Germany.
DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg continued:
Il understand that in 1915 esr
enemies would not give UP this hope.
but l do not understand how cool
heads. after the experiences of 1915.
can cling to il. 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
German nation is able to make use Of
moral reserves which enable us to
lower our standard of life, which has
risen remarkably during the last
decade. What would il mean. for in
stances, if the consumption OF meat
should be temporarily lowered to the
level of the '70's. 1 should think our
adversaries would remember how
strong was the German race of those
days"
Crop Prospects Good
Conditions Of life in Germany were
not easy, the chancellor continued but
the difficulties were being met in ad-
mirable fashion by the entire nation.
especially the poorer classes. The
crop reports indicated. he said that
all the winter crops were good: in fact
the reports had not been as favorable
for many years previously. The har-
vest of 1915 was the worst of decades.
Nevertheless the stocks of grain for