Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-10


give lnformations as TO the conditions
under which he would DO willing TO en-
ter into peace negotiationsy'
IN his reply the chancellor said;
AS long as In the countries of our
enemies the guilt and ignorance Of states
men are entangled with confusion Of pub
lie opinion. It would be folly for Ger
many sto make peace proposals, which
would not shorten. but would iengthen
the duration OF the war FIRST tho masks
must he torn from their faces.
AT present they speak OF war OF
humiliation against us. We have to take
this fact into account. Theoretical ar
guments for peace or proposals OF peace
viii not advance us. win not bring the
end nearer
IL cur enemies make peace proposals
compatible with Germanys dignity and
safety. then We shall always be ready TO
discuss them. Fully conscious Of our UNI
shaken military successes. VIC decline re-
sponsibillty for the continuation OF the
misery which now fills Europe and the
whole world. No one can say that We
continue the war. because we still desire
TO conquer this or that country as a
guarantee" ~
Members Cheer Statement.
In these words the chancellor with Inn
FASHIONED force stated the position OF the
German government on the question Of
peace. His remarks were cheered with
great enthusiasm. When DF. Won Beth
mann Holiweg rose 20 reply TO the In
ferpeliation presented by DIR. Scheide-
mann, Socialist leader. silence fell over
the whole house. but was soon broken
by many manifestations OF approval. AZ
times the deputies interrupted him with
cheers.
DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg began by
saying that in the countries at war with
Germany there had been much discus
sion OF the Socialist Interpretation and
the knowledge that peace was to be dis
cussed In the Reichstas had been source
of satisfaction to these countries. This
was incomprehensibIe IN view Of the sue
cess won in the campaign against Ser
bia. which opened the road to Germany
Turkish allies and threatened the most
Vulnerable points OF the British empire.
No Overtares Received.
Although this situation would explain
a desire for peace on the part OF Ger
inany's enemies. he declared, none OF
them had made overtures. Instead, they
were elinging TO the intentions which
they had announced publicly with naive
brutality at the beginning OF the war
The chancellor then reviewed recent
utterances concerning conditions Of peace
made IN countries opposed 70 Germany
such az the handing over OF Alsace and
Lorraine 10 France, the annihiiation Of
"Prussian militarism,. the expulsion o.
the Turks. cession OF the left bank Of tbs
Rhine and the creation Of greater
Serbia. including Bosnia.
Il was true. the chancellor continued
that there were some persons In th'
counsrles al war with Germany who tool
a sensible position. but they were In tn
minority. and their voices. like those o
certain members OF the English Hous
OF Lords. were unheard.
Entente Theories Lose Force.
The theories advanced by Germany
enemies. he said. had lost their force
People had ceased speaking OF war o
twenty years. The pretext that the wa
was being waged for the protection o
small nations had lost its persuaslv
power IN view OF recent events IN Greece
small countries are IN a serious pligh
since England has been fighting 10
them" he remarked.
He discussed the principle OF nation
Atty as applied by Germany's enemies
He asked whether the British colonis
secretary knew that OF the $4,000 IL
habitants OF Aisace more than 81 Dc
cent spoke German as the mother tongu,
He asked whether Poland belonged I
Russia by right OF nationality. whethe
this principle lost its power and value
applied TO india or Egypt Germany
eiemiaa. blinded at the beginning Of n
war ~ false stories. excited 10 hatre,
we're nov. abe. after military and dlpls
matte defeats, 20 cling only 10 the ide
~ aezJnany.n annihiiation.
For this purpose there had been II