The Chancellor next dealt with the "trade war," and declared
that the Allies were intent upon destroying Germany economically as well as militarily:—
" Everywhere there is brutal rage to destroy and to annihilate, and the calculated desire in unbridled lust of domination to cripple a people of seventy millions. These menaces also will come to nothing.
. . And what when we look away beyond Europe ? Cut off from all connexions with the home country, our troops and our fellow. countrymenhave stubbornly defended our colonies, and in East Africa they are still heroically disputing every foot of soil. But the final fate of our colonies will not be decided there, but, as Bismarck said, here on the Continent. . . . Thus, gentlemen, we look frankly and full of increasing confidence to the future."
The Chancellor's speech was the nearest thing to a declaration of policy as regards the settlement that has yet come from Germany. In the subsequent debate, Herr Haase, in a remarkable speech, warned the Chancellor • against the idea of creating more Alsace- Lorraines in Russia. As for Belgium, it was true she ought not to become an Anglo-French vassal, but why should she become a German vassal ? Yet that was what the Chancellor's words meant. It was madness to try to break up the unity of Walloons and Flemings.
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