Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-28


 iville).-ChanceIIor Von Bethmann- Hollweg's address to the reichstag, postponed from last week, was deiiv- cred today. The chancellor said: To Fight and Gain Victory. While our soldiers on the front stand in the drumfire of the trenches and our submarines, defying death, hasten through the seas; while we at home have no other-absolutely no other-task but to produce cannon, ammunition and food, and to distribute victuals with justice; in the midst of this struggle for life and for the future of our empire, intensified to the ex- treme, there is only one necessity of the day which dominates all questions of policy both foreign and domestic to fight and gain victory"
 Ready to Continue Struggle.
 The chancellor pointed out that the German nation in the reichstag's/ last vote granting new war credits demon- strated to the whole world it's readi- ness to continue the struggle until itW enemies were ready for peace.
 As to this peace itself the chancellor recalled discussions in the newspapers. in public meetings and also in parlia- ment. He declared that it would be premature if he participated in these debates He continued:
 To Make No Promises.
 ITO make promises of formulated anu OeLdlle0 COnO1IlOnS Tn my position would be unproductiye and precariodA. Hostile leaders did this repeatedly. They gave extravagant assurances to each other, but they meremly brought it about by this that they themselves and their nations were always more deeply involved in the war.
 Existence of Strong Germany.
 Their example does not tempt me. What I could say about the tendency and aim of our conditions I have said repeatedly; to terminate the war by a lasting peace which will grant us guarantee the existence and future of a strong Germany-that is our aim nothing less and nothing more"
 After dealing with the problem of recalled his last speech in the reich stag, in which he announced that a proposal had been transmitted by Germany and her allies to their ene- mics to enter into peace negotiations. He continued:
 Presumptuous Answer of Allies.
 Their answer was more rude and | more presumptuous than any sensible l person in our country or in neutral | countries could have imagined. The | effect produced by this document of | barbarian hatred and of insolence is | ance and our front stand the firmer | md the German nation is more united | md no less resolute than ever"
 The chancellor then turned to the of the barred zones lround England, France and Italy, and o the answers received from neutrals o the communication made by the central powers. He said:
 Subsea Warfare IrrevocabIe.
 we by no means underestimate the lihiculties caused to neutral shipping md we, therefore. try to alleviate tI,f- purpose we made an attempt to supply aw materials such as coal and iron, Ieeded by them, to neutral states within the boundaries of our sea hese difficulties, after all, are caused nly by England's tyranny of the seas. We will and shall break this enslaVe- l nent of all non-English trade. We meet half way all wishcJ of neutra1s hat can be complied with, but in the eyond the limits. imposed upon us by , he irrevocabIe decision to reach the { i'm of the esta abushment of the barred : one. yill come when neuTals themselves rill thank us for our firmness, for the fl reedom of the seas whica we gain byII ghting is of advantage to them aIsso9H
 breach by United States. One step further than taRenI bv 'uropean neutrals has been madS-a | known-by the United Statks of merica- Fresident Wilson, after rer eiving our note of Jan. 31, brusoueJv roke off relations with us. Nc, an. lentic communication about the raa l ons which were given for his tstens .ached me. The former United States here in Berlin comnis nf- , ated only in spoken words to inc ate secretary of the foreign office oS reaking off relations, and asked for Is passports. This form of breaking f relations between great nationS $ wing in peace is probably withouf 1 in history IT ''All official documents being lack g, I am forced to rely upon doubtflll ( is, upon the outer (Reu- I'D offices version of the contents of t le message sent by President Wilson { l Feb to congress. In this versiSnl e president is reported to have said Iat our note of Jan. 31 suddenly and I ithout previous indication intention Iy withdrew the solemn promises S ade in the note of May, 1916. Ic Protests Action of United States. gro. the United States government. erefore, no choice compatible with gnity and honor was left other than .