Evening journal., 1915-12-09
mo Peace UNLESS
ALLIES MAKE MOVE.
Continued from First Page.

Continued from First Page.
cialist leader. At first there was tense
silence throughout the whole house
and galleries. This was soon inter-
rupted by vigorous signs of assent.
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg
first declared that the prospects OF
peace discussion in the Reichstag had
excited great expectations and much
satisfaction in the countries of Ger
many's enemies. That this feeling
should prevail was incomprehensible
he said, in view OF Germany's sue
cesses in Serbia, after opening the
road towards her Turkish allies, and
after threatening the most vulnerable
points OF the British empire.
Although this situation, he said,
would explain the desire of Germany's
enemies for peace, none of them have
made any overtures They rather cling
to the intentions which they publicly
had announced at the beginning of the
war. he said.
The chancellor reviewed recent ut
terances about possible peace condi-
tions that have come from Germany's
enemies. He mentioned among these
the handing over OF Alsace-LOrraine
TO the French, the annihilatiOn OF
so-called Prussian militarism, the eX-
pulsion Of the Turks from Europe,
the cessiOn OF the left bank of the
Rhine to France and the creation OF
a greater Serbia. including what is
now the Austrian province OF Bos-
mia.
Won Bethmann-Hollweg said he rec
ognized the fact that some people in
foreign countries were inclined TO
look at the situation sensibly But
these, he said, are in the minority and
their voices go unheard like those OF
certain members of the English
House OF Lords.
"Enemies' Theories Have Lost Force"
"But the enemies theories have lost
force" he said. The people have
ceased speaking about the war last
ing twenty years. The preteXt that
they are waging war for the protec-
ton of small countries has lost its
persuasive power since the recent
events in Greece.
Small countries are in a severe
plight since England is fighting"
The chancellor discussed the prin-
ciple of natiOnalities as applied by
Germany's enemies and asked
whether the English colonial secre-
tary knew that of the 100000 inhabi-
tants Of Alsace more than eighty
seven per cent speak German as their
mother tongue He asked whether Po-
land by right OF nationality belongs
to Russia. He demanded to knew
whether the same principle applied by
England in the case of Alsace loses
power when applied to India and
Egypt.
Germanys enemies. Won Bethmann-
Hollweg said. had blinded themselves
at the beginning of the war by false
stories about Germany.
Now. after military and diplomatic
defeats" he said, they are only able
to cling to the idea Of Germany's an
Inhalation. For this purpose they in
vented the starvation theory.
I'VE all agree" he said emphatic
ally. that our foodstuffs are sufficient
and that the only important question
is that Of distribution. The great
economic unit stretching from Arras
into MesOpotamia cannot be crushed. "
The Chancellor mentioned the great
stores of copper, which. he said, were
sufficient for years and years OF in
dustrial demands. and the intrOduc-
tion OF substitutes like artificial rub
ber.
He pointed out that France already
has called to the colors boys Of the
class OF 1917. The more Germany's
enemies continue the war with bit
! terness, Bethmann-H -Hollweg said, the
more viii Germany need guarantees
TO insure her future position.
We do not fight 70 subjugate other
nations declared the Chancellor in
conclusion. I'VE fight for the protec-
tion Of our life and liberty. For the
German government this war has al
ways remained what il was at the
! beginning war OF defense for the
German nation and for her future.
This war can only be terminated
by peace which gives human certi-
tude that II will not return. We all
agree abou trhat, and there always
will be the root Of our strength"
Socialists Back Government.
Or. Philip Scheidemann, the Social
ist leader. whose Interpolation result.
ed in today's peace discussion. fol-
I lowed the Chancellor.
Doctor Sheidemann. reminded the
helchstag that at the beginning or the
war the Socialists approved the atti.
tude of the German government.
"A glance at the map" said Scheide
mann, will show that Germany i:
conscious OF her strength and hel
successes.
Germany can now speak for peace
without risking being considered
weak-hearted or dispirited."
Scheidemann protested agains
those who dream OF a war OF annexa
ton.
"But equally foolish is il for oui
enemies to advocate the dismember
ment OF Germany or to crusade
against the so-called Prussian mill
tarism.' he said first because thi