New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-10
Annex Foes Lands If
Necessary, Says
Reichstag.
GREAT AUDIENCE
CHEERS HOLLWEO
Government Seeks Lasting
Peace, Chancellor Tells
Berlin Deputies.

Berlin, Dec. $50 long as un.
controlled hatred of Germany and
the belief that Germany is approach
ing a collapse continue 10 be the
dominant ideas of the enemy coun-
tries, it would be folly for Germany
to take the initiative in proposing
terms OF peace. VI
Germany, however, is ready at any
time to consider peace suggestion
from the countries with which she Is
at war, does not wish a continue
tion of the war, and associates her
self, under these circumstances,
from any responsibility for its pro-
longation.
This Is the substance Of the Ger
man Imperial Chancellor's reply In
the Reichstsg to-day to the Socialist
Interpolation on peace. He painted
a picture Of Germany triumphant on
all sides and supplied with every
thing, even If not In abundance,
necessary to the continuation of the
war.
The Chancellor, after reviewing
the military situation, said:
"Ayains. the logic Of facts even
our enemies can do nothing. Our cal
culation shows no flaws, and there
are no uncertain factors TO shatter
our firm confidence. If our enemies
are not yet inclined to yield TO facts
they will have to do s. later.
Germany is mistaken"
"The German people is unshaken
in its reliance upon its strength,
which is invincible. It would be an
insult to try to make US believe that
we, strong from victory and standing
far out in the enemy's country,
should be inferior in endurance,
activity and internal moral power 10
our enemies, who are still dreaming
Of victory.
"No, we shall not yield to words.
We shall resolutely carry out the
war which the enemy wanted, in
order to complete what Germany's
future demands from U.S."
The Interpolation was introduced
by DR.. Scheidemann in the follow
ing terms: "Is the Imperial Chan
cellor ready to give information as
to the conditions under which he
would be willing TO enter into peace
negotiations"
DR.. Scheidemann declared that il
the war went on any longer the
United States would be the only
power which would be called the vic
tor; Europe would commit suicide II
more blood was spilled. The people
in all lands wanted peace. and srr"ly
there must be some way out Of the
terrible business. The Chancellor,
DR.. Scheidemann added, knew the
whole world was waiting for Ger
many's overture.
Seek Dignity and Safety.
"If our enemies make peace pro-
posals compatible with Germanys
dignity and safety" said DR.. Won
Bethmann-Hollweg, then we shall
always be ready to discuss them. So
long as in the countries Of our en-
emies the guilt and ignorance Of
statesmen are entangled with con-
fusion of public opinion it would be
folly for Germany to make peace
proposals, which would not shorten
but would lengthen the war. First
the masks must be torn from their
faces
"Our foes must tell themselves one
longer and bitterer they
wage this war against US the great
er will be the necessary guarantees.
If our enemies wish TO erect bar
rier for all time between us and the
rest of the world ! should not be sur
prised If we arrange our future ac-
that neither in the east nor
the west may our foes control the en-
trance gates through which they may
attack or threaten us anew"
A Momentous Day.
After Won Bethmann-Holwegg had
made his reply to the Socialist inter
pellation the other parties adopted .
Joint declaration approving the Chan
cellor's utterances and indorsing the
view that in the conditions Of peace
made after the war there pust be guar
fon,i,ued ON nara q solumn