Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-09


many's foes have proposed. In this
connection, he asked whether England
knew that of the 100000 inhabitants
of Alsace, more than 81 per cent speak
German as their mother tongue, despite
frances claim that this land, taken
from France in 1870, is in reality
French. At the same time, the chancel-
lor asked whether Poland belonged to
Russia by right of nationality, and de.
manded to know whether the same prin-
ciple as in the case Of AIsace loses its
power when applied to India and
Egypt.
Fight for Life and Liberty.
The more Teuton enemies continue
the war with bitterness, the more will
Germany need guarantees to insure her
future position, the chancellor assert.
ed.
owe do not fight to subiugate other
nations" he said. awe fight for pro-
lection of our life and liberty. For
Germany, this war has always remained
what it was at the beginning war of
defense and war for the future. This
war can only be terminated by a peace
which gives the human certitude that
| it will not return"
The opponents of Germany, he added,
blinded themselves at the beginning by
false stories concerning Germany.
"Now, after military and diplomatic
defeats, they are only able to cling to
the idea of annihilation of Germany
he went on
For this purpose they invented the
theory Of starvation of this nation But
our foodstuffs are sufficient and the
only important question in this con.
nection is that of distribution. The
great economic unit stretching from
Arras to Mesopotamia cannot be
crushed" "
Socialist Leader Talks,
Socialist Leader Scheidemann, whose
Interpolation drew forth Hollweg s
statement, followed the chancellor. At
the outset, he reminded the reichstag
that at the beginning of the war, so.
cialists approved the governments at
titude.
"a glance at the map" he said,
"will show that Germany is conscious
of her strength and successes. Ger.
many can now speak for peace without
risking being considered weak hearted
or dispirited."
At the same time, he protested
against the dreamers who see annexa.
tiOns in the wake of the struggle
Scheidemann assailed those favoring
annexation of conquered countries and
reminded them that the kaiser himself
declares this is not war of conquest.
"But, he added, cit is equally fool.
ish for our enemies to advocate dis
memberment of Germany or a crusade
against so-called Prussian mlitarism. "
Moreover, he branded it folly for the
French to continue to desire possession
Of Alsace Lorraine. But, in demanding
statement as to Germany's peace
terms, Scheidemann asserted that not
withstanding her victories, Germany
has also made great sacrifice.
Europe OH Verge Of Ruin.
"The question of peace is uppermost
in the minds of belligerents," he said.
"Statesmen, however, do not know
how to begin negotiations because they
consider it would be taken as confes.
sion of weakness"
In this connection. he mentioned
Lord Courtney's peace address to par.
lament and the agitation of Italian So,
eialists for peace. He quoted Count
Andrassy as authority for the state.
ment that the longing for peace is gem
eral in France.
"The war" scheidemann suggested,
"is bringing Europe to the verge Of
ruin"
However, he assailed the idea that it
is possible to starve Germany.
The census, he pointed out. showed
20,O00000 Kilograms of grain and 55,.
100000 Kilograms Of potatoes and these
amounts are enough to last Germany
for a long time.
In conclusion, he denied that Ger.
many is seeking world leadership, as
enemy nations maintain. She wants
merely to be equal with other nations.
By moving toward peace now, Germany
may gain the glory she first dreamed
of, he suggested.
Hollweg claimed that the allies had
tried liberal offers to persuade Bul.
garia to join them.
"But King Ferdinand redeemed the
promise he gave after the second Bal.
kan war, in which Bulgaria bore the
brunt OF the battle and was then de-
serted by Russia" said the chancel.
lor Serbia then received her reward
from Russia because her vanguard
against Austria, but now Bulgarian
flags float over the re.conquered Bul.
garian soil. Serbia is crushed, and an.
other small country has been sacri.
feed for the allies interest
The Danube is now free. The Tur.
kish position at the Dardanelles is
firmer than ever, although Premier As.
quith, Of England, this summer pro.
claimed It's imminent fall
Tho aha anaa1lor maintained 40 Akn al