Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-26
GERMAN SOCIALISTS
ISSUE CALL FOR PEACE
Party's Organ Demands THAI
Kaiser Take Step for End Il
War.

BERLIN, June 26.-The soc,oi,...
Germany are demanding that az ~ ot
take the first steps for the terr,iss,,tef i.as,,ef
Of the war. A ful-page appeal for ...n '.suon
is printed by the Berlin Vorwaer,ip zee .s
official organ OF the soclal-Denoors,,aass w
party OF Germany, today, at the ara.
OF the Executive Committee Of the par,v
The appeal Is signed by Herr tfsay'
chairman of the Socialist faction q, tefse w,
Reichstag and all the members ~ tns ens
Executive Committee including Geosas s
Lederbour Philip scheldemann ty4so
David, Herr Malkenbuhr Clara zs.,,.
and others. e'H'n
The document calls for peses m -
ditions that will make possible ~. sl- ~
mediate cessation OF the war the .,.s| ~ ~
International strifes In Burops ars Vl
lasting friendship and amity OF tbs s wv
ropean peoples. The appeal sts,Ss az ~
rectly that the people OF Gerranv ~ ~
tired of the war and want peace. ssd -
the name Of humanity II calls uncr cr'' ~ ~
Government to take the essential stan
for the realization of this aim. Tho sa
peal states In part:
The managing committee Cvorstand, :.
the Social Democratic party always hss
been opposed to policy of conquest 49,
annexation We now raise anew ~.
shqrpest effort against every effor, ga
every proclamation the purpose OF whleS
Is the annexation of foreign terfftor,, ans
the oppression of other nations. afYnst.
and proclamatlons which have bso6ns
public In Germany, particularly thrnugh
the demands of great economic assooia-
tions as well as through speeches OF Isad.
ing non-sociallst politicians
Even the recital Of such efforts serv.,
further to postpone that peace which h
warmly desired by the whole nation Tbs
people want peace. If this war which
daily demands new sacrifices Ia moi to
draw itself out needlessly, to endure lintIl
the full exhaustion Of all the nations in
1t, one OF the participating powers must
offer the hand of peace.
MUST TAKE FIRST STEP.
Germany, who was attacked by greatly
superior forces, has thus far vlotoriousIy
defended herself against all her enefnles,
brought their starvation plan to haukht
and demonstrated that she is unconquer.
able, should take the first step to bring
about peace.
I'm the name of humanity and culture,
and supported by the favorable military
situation brought about by the bravery OF
our comrades In arms. we demand OF the
Government that II make known It's teadl-.
ness to enter peace negotiations In order
to put an end to this bloody conflict.
1--WE expect our Socialist comrades in
other belllgerent lands to exert their In.
fluences on their own Governments In
this same sense" 2
Great Importance is attached to the ap-
peal of Vorwaerts in view of the numefi-
cal strength OF the Socialists of Germany
and the fact that the Government has
taken no steps to prohibit its publication.
In Socialist circles In this city It was de-
clared that the Government has probably
consented to the publication OF the ap.
peal upon the suggestion OF the Socialists,
who pointed out that now that Germany
has successfully. warded. Off the attacks
of her enemles, cleared Galicia Of the
Russians and Is occupying the most
favorable military position. she could
conclude peace on most advantageous
terms without loss of prestige or terri
tory.
The state of the various parties In the
Reichstag on April l., 1914, folowag So
ciailsts 412; Centre Party ssi National
Liberals, ~; Conservatives; 42; Radicals,
a., Poles. 49, Free Conservatives. ls; an
Q; Economic Union, s; other
parties, 2l. The total number Of Social
lists in the empire Is 100000.
Recently labor men In this country
have been In communication with labor
chiefs In Germany by both wireless and
mail. The Germans expressed a desire
for peace and requested the American
party to make known their attitude TO
labor men in France. England and Rus
sla. 1t Is noteworthy that the Govafr-
ment permitted these messages to pass
the censors.