Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-23
ANT|ANNEXAT|ON|sT
PETITION IS PUBLISHED
Onlces OF Organization in Berlin
Raided and One Member Ar.
rested for Treason.
ALLIES WILL NOT WEAKEN
German Bund Neues Vatcrland Pro-
nounces Idea as Childisll-De-
mands OF Six Powerful Associa-
tons Declared to Contain Danger.

PARIS, September 22.-Tha first in
stallmcnt OF an antianneXationist petit
ton issued by the German Bund Neues
Vatcrland is printed this morning by
Humanitc. The Offices of the organza-
ton in Berlin are said to have been
raidcd and one Of the members, Dr.
Weinberg. arrested on Il charge of trea
son. Humanitc asserts the petition
reads, in part, as follows:
The ideas expressed in the petition
issued by the six economic associations
contain redoubtable danger for the con-
clusion of n timely, honorable peace and
for the security of the German peace.
after peace is signed. Therefore. the
Bund feels Obliged to oppose the de-
mands of the associations, and ask the
Chancellor TO stop their activities and
disavow the objects of the war as
therein set forth.
The idea of weakening England and
Russia until they become powerless or
even are annihilated, is SO childish as
not to admit of serious discussion as
is shown clearly by the lessons OF his
tory. To figh, for such an object which
cannot be attained. is pure madness
The propa CATION OF this madness is
dangerous. because it makes difficult
anything like lasting peace"
GREAT DANGER SEEN
IN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH
The petition goes on to say that
Chancellor Won BethmannHollweg. in
his speech in the Reichstag on May 2s,
said that Germany would continue the
war until she obtained guarantee that
none of her antagonists alone. or all
OF them allied. ever would dare attack
her again. and continues:
The understa nding that the Chan
Cclior felt the need At the moment Italy
had entered the war to affirm energcti-
cally our confidence in the ultimate
issue. Notwithstanding our new adj
versarv, but there is great danger OF
his rhetorical language being taken
literally by simple people and cx-
plotted in support of the crazy illusion
about which we believe the Chancellor
holds the same views we do.
That exploitation has begun The
government OF the empire has not the
right TO look on with arms folded at
that abusive use OF the Chancellors
discourse"
The petition next considers the vari-
Gus territories, the economic associa-
tons desired TO have annexed. and this
chapter closes with this declarati ton:
East and west, more than 10000
square kilometers "a kilometer is two
thirds Of mile). With more than
100000 inhabitants. would thus be
annexed. What do the petitioners OF
The six associations imagine our re,a-
uans would be with these men who
weuld' !tare ~ ne subjected 10 'ietnsn'
domination?"
The petition OF the six economic
associations, regarded as the most
powerful OF their kind in Germany, de-
nandsd: the annexation OF Belgium in
all but name: the annexation OF the
French coast as far as the Son7me as
I strategic necessity: the annexation of
The Briey Ore regions and the coal re-
.ions OF the Departments Du Nord and
Pass de Calais. the annexation of Yer
con, Eelfort and the western slope of
the Eosses for strategic reasons: the
annexation OF Russian territory adjo!n-
ing East Prussia for military reasons
f!REES RE.ESThPI IcuMEMT