Admiral von Hintze, the German Foreign Secretary, outlined Germany's Eastern
policy in the Reichstag on Tuesday. He said that the border States had implored German help and would be recognized as independent ; but Herr von Payer, who followed him in the debate, declared that Germany would mould the future of these States in her own interests. The Admiral said that Poland should be free and independent, but that she must observe all the German decrees lately issued and subject herself to the Economic Treaties which Germany would impose. The German idea of " independence " is conditional and limited, as the Belgians know. Admiral von Hintze showed some concern at the Allied intervention in Russia, and declared that Germany would not interfere with the Bolsheviks " as long as it was possible " to adhere to the Brest- Litovsk Treaty. In a significant passage he said that Germany, having promised the Bolsheviks not to let " a third Power " advance against Baku, was trying to preserve Baku " for Russia, for us, and our allies." That is to say, the Turks will have to leave Baku. Germany is jealous of their success in the Caucasus. The relations between the Turks and the Germans have been strained for a long time, and Admiral von Hintze's threat, coming on top of the Palestine disaster, will not smooth matters.
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