Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-08
TO WORK UP SENTIMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE PEACE
Manifesto Sent to England and France
From Germany. Appealing 10 In
dependent Socialists,

lSpecial Gable TO The Times Dispatch !
PARlS, April "A manifesto signed
by Carl Liebknecht. George I.edebour
otto Ruehlc. Franz Mehrng Clara Ict-
KIN, Rose Luxembourg and other mem
berS OF the minority faction of the So
cIal Democratic party in Germany, has
been sent to England and France an
pealihg 10 the independent Socialists OF
those countries TO work up a sentiment
Tor immediate peace. The manifesto
says:
The number OF men who have pcr-
ished through the monster Of war on
the Eastern and Western fronts sur
passes million. The number Of
wounded is thrice higher. The human
mind cannot grasp the sum OF misery
which these figures represent: il cannot
conceive OF the sufferings of the mil
lions of human beings whose homes
have been devastated by the sinister
war god.
Those who are responsible know
that the material damage caused by
invasion can only be repaired with diff
iculty The damage caused by the in
Nasion OF Eastern Prussia was est!.
mated in January al over A hundred
million dollars. The figures amount to
billions in Belgium. The European war
expenditure already exceeds sixteen
billion dollars. The bill increases daily.
pay il.
Resides eXhausting us, the present
war is running future generations.
While the cry OF nationl defense
could be used with sincerity AT the
beginning, the imperialfUts on both
sides now make 1t clear that they are
fighting to destroy the rival nation To
avert a new period OF armed peace they
wish to crush the enemy so that he
cannot rise again. The same prociama-
ton is made in Germany. England
France and Austria.
But what would be the result If this
bloody fury were allowed to run its
course unopposed? Either tyrannical
domination by the conQueror, or blood
! split till both sides were absolutely ex-
hausted. In any case. Europe's eco
| monte. democratic and sociaIistic de-
/ relopment would he retarded century.
! The indisputable fact to-day is that
we occupy the better military situation,
/ because our territory is uninvaded
Germany. therefore. should be the first
to raise the cry Of peace. We indepen-
| dent German Socialists do not want a
/ military peace. We want no annexa-
! tons. but the political and economic In
I dependence Of all nations; general dis
armament and compulsory arbitration"
/ letter accompanying the manifesto
! says:
; Although placed beneath the iron
/ heel OF martial law and unable to ex-
press our opinions publicly, we can pre-
/ dict surprises in the near future. The
| opposition TO this abominable war Is
growing ceaselessly in Germany. but ef-
fective peace action depends upon the
! help Of our French. English and Bel
eian comrades"
] Karl I.iebknecht, George I.edebour
and Otto Ruehle. whose names are
signed to the above manifesto, are all
members Of the German Rcichstag.
: Ihehknccht and I.edebour havc been
! read out OF their party and disciplined
4; for voting against the war budget.
| Franz Mehring, another signer. is
! we'll known as a writer in Germany,
, but is without great influence In the
7 Socialist party. Clara Zetkin and Rose
! Luxembourg have gained considerable
notorietH as Rgitators but are not rec
. ogni%ed by the more conservative
! Socialist leaders