18 DECEMBER 1915, Page 2

In the Reichstag on Thursday week Herr von Bethmann Iffellweg

reviewed the military situation at length, and answered an interpellation on the subject of peace. Curiosity as to how he would deal with the peace question had been very keen, but Ire used the occasion to dismiss the matter in a cavalier way, thus thinking, no doubt, that he would maintain the pretence that Germany is invincible. He congratulated Bulgaria on having won back what she had lost to Serbia in the second Balkan War. The Dardanelles stood "firmer than ever." As for the 'opening of " a way to the Near East," this was a litaidmark in the history of the war. The military contact with Turkey was of inestimable value, and the imports from Turkey maid the Balkans would supplement German supplies in-a most welcome manner. The Entente Powers meanwhile were trying to compensate themselves by violence against neutral Powers.