Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-09

1a.tat;ons ~ apurovaL Several times,
the IDENTITIES and galleries interrupted
him with cheers.
British Empire Threatened.
DR.. Won Bethmann- Holweg began oy
saving that in the countries at WAL
9TH Germany there had been much
discussion of the socialist interpella-
tion. and that the knowledge that peace
was to be discussed in the reichstas
had been a source of satisfaction to
these countries. This. was 1ncompre-
hensible in view of the success Won N
the campaign against Ser.a, whish
allies and threatened the most VuineI
able points of the British empire, Al
though this situation would eNpialn a
desire for peace on the part OF Ger.
many's enemies. he declared. none OF
them had made overtures- instead,
they We're clinging to the 1ntentlons
which they had announced publciy
with naive brutality" at the begin
ming of the war.
The chancellor then reviewed recent
utterances concerning conditions of
peace made in countries opposed to
Germany, such as the handing over OF
Alsace and Lorraine to France, the an
Inhalation of "Prussian mflitar1sm the
expulsion of the Turks. cession of the
left bank of the Rhine and the crea-
ton of greater Serbia, including
Bosnia
Some Sensible, He Says.
1t was true, the chancellor continued,
that there were some persons in the
countries at war with Germany who
took a sensible position. but they were
in the minority, and their voices, like
those of certain members of the
English house of lords, were unheard.
The theories advanced by Germany
enemies. he said. had lost their force
People had ceased speaking of a war
of twenty years. The pretext that the
war was being waged for the protec-
tion of small nations had lost its per-
sausive power in view of recent events
in Greece.
Small countries are in a serious
plight since England has been fight
Ing for Them he remarked
Question of Nationality.
He discussed the principle of nation
ality as applied by Germany's enemies
He asked whether the British colonial
secretary knew that of the 1,90o,0eo
Inhabitants of Alsaes more than 81 per
cent spoke German as the mother
tongue He asked whether Poland be- I
longed to Russia by right of national
fty, whether this principle lost ITS pow
and value if applied to India or
Egypt. Germany's enemies, blinded at
the beginning of the war by false
stories, excited to hatred. were now
able, after military and diplomatic de-
feats. to cling only to the idea OF Ger
many's humiliation.
For this purpose there mad peen IN,
vented the theory that Germany could
be starved. On this point the chancel-
Tor said, with particular emphasis:
I'VE all agree that our food supplies
are sufficient that the only important
question is distribution. The economic
unit stretching from Arras into Meso-
otamia cannot be crushed
Ac fhn n a.
Germany had immense stores, sum-
cient for years and years. He spoke OF
Germany's success in producing SUB
stitutes for certain articles, such as
rubber. |
Question Of Enemy Strength.
Referring to the discussion whether |
Germany's enemies would be able ia
bring greatly superior forces into the
field, the chancellor mentioned the fact |
that France already has called to the
colors the class of 1917, bringing into |
the war youths under the u!ual mill
tary age. |
The chancellor referred to the charge
that members of the crew of German |
fenseless by the crew of the British |
patrol boat Baralong, and said the |
English press had concealed the facts
of this case from the nation. AS ne
mace THESE GcUldf Ms TIC "HoiS iiOaSS
arose as an expression of Indignation.
Speaking of the guarantees of the |
position of Germany in the 1ulure TO
be included in the peace terms, DE-. Won |
Bethmann Hollweg insisted that the !
longer the war is continued, with IN
creasing bitterness by Germany's enc
mics, the greater is the need of such
guarantees.
Purpose Of the Fight.
I'VE do not fight in order to subju- |
gate other nations" he said. I'VE fight |
for the protection of our life and liberty. |
For the German government the war !
has always been what it was at the !
beginning war of defense for the
German nation and for her future.
The war can be terminated only by |
q peace which will give the certttude |
that war will not return. We all agree |
about that. There lies. and there al |
ways will lie. the root of our strength"
Bulgar King Redeems Promise.
Among the statements made by the !
chancellor which attracted attention
was that the King of Bulgaria had re-
deemed the promise given after the
second Balkan war, in which contest
Bulgaria had borne the brunt of the
fighting. and had then been abandon
ed by Russia. Serbia then had received
her reward from RUSSIA because the
Serbian vanguard had advanced against
Austria Hungary. the chancellor de-
clared but today Bulgarian flags are
floating over reconquered Bulgaria.
Serbia has been crushed. and this Is
one more small country which has been
sacrificed for the interest of the en-
tente allies. The Danube is now free.
the chancellor said and the Turkish
positions in the Dardanelles are Eow
frmer than ever before, although Mr..
Asquith last summer proclaimed their
imminent fall
Strong Bridge Constructed.
Thanks to the far-sighted policy Of
King Ferdinand" he continued, "a
strong bridge has been constructed
uniting firmly the central powers with
the Balkans and the near east.
After peace has been concluded this
bridge will not resound from the steps
of marching battalions. but will serve
the works Of civilization and peace. The
friendship now confirmed by fraternity in
arms will then be strengthened by the
exchange Of goods among nations. Ri
valry will then be limited to peaceful pur-
suits of industry. which foster the evoiu-
tIon Of nations and assist those countries
which are struggling for progress"
Activities of Entente Powers.
The chancellor referred to attempts
OF the entente powers to improve their