Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-16

Berlin, via London. May Is, 11.40 p m.-In one of the most vigorous and plain-spoken speeches he has yet made before the reichStag since the outbreak of the war. the imperial Ger man chancellor today bluntlv refused to enter into Q discussion of Ger many's peace aims as demanded in 1nterpellations by the conservatives and socialists. Dr. von Bethmann- Houweg asserted that these called for the governments specific peace pro- Eramme, the announcement of which would at the present time not only be premature but which 1t would be diff 1cuIt to formulate and also of no ser vice to the nation in the present sit = nation.
 Not to Be Swayed.
 While appreciating the passionate desire of all classes to know the gov ernmeut's views. the chancellor plain 1y declared that he would not permit himself to be swayed by pressure from any source and that he was not under the spell of any party clique The best interests of the nation, he be- Iieved demanded that the reticence he had imposed on himself in the face of continuous clamor since December, 1915, should be observed by him until the moment was ripe. He was sure that such course would be endorsed by tt% nation at large, which contin- ued to rally around it's emperor, and would also meet the views of the ma 1ority Of the members of the reichstag. The chancellor then briefly viewed the present military situation and Ger many's relations to the neutrals, in the course of which he warmly praised the attitude adopted by Spain.
 Declines to Make Statement.
 These interpeI1ations demand from me a definite statement on the ques- tion of our Ear aims" said the chan cellor. ITO make such a statement at xvc the country's interest I must there fore, decline to make 1t
 Since the winter of 1914-15 I have been pressed from one side. now from the other. publicly to state our war aims, if possible with details. Every day they were demanded from me. To force me to speak, an attempt was made to construe my silence regarding the programme of the war aims of in dividuaI parties as agreement. Against that l must again resolutely protest. On giving liberty for the free discus sion of war aims. had 1t expressly not and would not participate in the conflict of views. l also protested against any positive conclusions what ever regarding the governments atti- tude being drawn from the govern ment's silence.
 No Differences on Peace Question.
 T now repeat this protest in the
 
 ever able to say about our war aims I say here in the reichstag publicly. They were general princ1ples-they could not be more-but they were clear enough to exclude Identification such as was attempted with other pro- gTammes. Those of the fundamental lines have been adhered to up to to- day. They found further solemn ex- precision in the peace offer made con- jointly with our allies on December IF, 1916. The supposition. which has re- gently arisen. that some differences of opinion existed on the peace question between us and our allies belongs to the realm of fable. I expressly affirm this now with certainty. I an St the same time expressing the conviction that the leading statesmen of the pow CTS which are our enemies are with us.
 T thoroughly and fully understand the passionate interest of the people in the war aims and peace conditions. I understood the call for clearneSs which today is addressed to me from the right and the left But in the dis cussion of our war aims the only guiding line for me Is the early and satisfa ctory conclusion of the war. Be- yond that I cannot do or say any thing.
 Will Withstand All Pressure.
 If the general situation forces me to reserve, as is the case now, I shall keep this reserve. and no pressure either from Herr Scheideran or Her Roesieke will force me from my path. I shall not allow myself to be led as- tray by utterances with which Scheid- eman at a time when drumf1re sounds on the Aisne and at Arras. believed he could spread among the people the pos sibility of a revolution.
 Not Tn the Hands of Anyone.
 The German people will be with me In condemning such utterances.
 T am reproached for being in the hands oe one party, but I am not in the hands of any party, either the Right or Left. am glad can state that definitely. If am in the hands of anyone, am in the hands of my people whom alone I have to serve, fighting for the existence of the nation, nrmly arranged around the kaiser, szhom- thay t<uzt and who trusts them.