The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-01
Won't Discuss Limitation of
ArnantRts at The Hague
FINDS NO PEACE FORMULA
carnegie's Statement as to William
Making Peace or War Is cIassed
as Distortion In Reich
stag Debate.

Berlin, April 30.-There was a general
debate in the Reichstag today on Ger
mays foreign relations. and incidentally
Andrew Carnegie's recent reference TO the
decision between war and peace being in
the hands of Emperor William was crlti-1
cised and classed as a distortion of fact& &
Speakers of various parties pontedH
suggested to Chancellor Won Buelow tha
Germany should take no part in the dis
cusson OF the limitation of armaments al
The Hague peace conference. The chan
cellor replied Germany did not object to
letting other powers discuss the matter.
but would hold aloof. This statement was
received with approval.
Prince Won Buelow referred to recon-
mendatons of the first peace conference
at The Hague advising the powers to
study the questions of the limitation of
armaments.
Has Studied Question.
Germany" the chancellor added, has
complied with this recommendation and
has not found a formula which takes Into
account the great diversity In the geo.
graphical, economic and military position
of the various states, or one which has
been calculated to remove these diversi-
ties and serve a basis for treaty
Il am also not aware that other coun-
| tries have been more fortunate in diseov-
erlng such a formula. SO long as there
is not a hope for satisfactory solution
of this question, and no method for its
practical application. we cannot derive
anything from It's discussion at this time.
| On the contrary. the danger Is that an
| undesirable effect may be produced by
arousing divergent interests"
The chancellor claimed the prospect OF
discussion of the Limitation OF arma-
ments had a disuuieting effect upoi- m
international situation.
"Germanys abstenstion from the dis
| cusison of the question does not mean"
said the chancellor. that she chershes
a secret desire for war, or that she Is
actnated by emotion, or self motives
Give Way to illusion.
"Other powers feel the same way as
! Germany, regarding the proposition, and
many friends of peace In France, Great
Britain, Italy and the United States
think 1t would not serve the cause Of
peace to give way to illusions and lose
sight of realities. Germany hitherto has
| secured peace by keeping In readiness for
war. This policy has proved to be a
wise one. We never once misused our
military strength and never will Many
| persons have advised us to take part In
the discussion of the limitation of arma-
ments in order to show Germany's good
will, since nothing had come of the mat
ter In any way. But Germany's peaceble
| policy has been a sufficient answer to all
the asperslons which may have been
made.
Germany does not wish to proven
other powers from discussing the limits
tlon of armaments. If some practical r
suit is reached by such discussion Ge
many will conscientiously examine 1t
see whether 1t harmonizes with the pr
| lection of her peace where her nationa.
interests are especially situated"
| The chancellor reminded the house that
his position had been indorsed by|
speakers representing all the parties in
the house, and added:
Supported by this unanimity Germany
will show by her course at The Hague
that she sincerely favors all efforts cal
culated to practically promote peace,
! civilization and humanity
The chancellor then turned to other
phases of Germany's foreign relations,
which he discussed at great length en-
deavoring to allay the nervousness In
Germany respecting King Edwards visits
to Presidents Falleries. King Alfonso andt
King Victor Emmanuel.