The Washington times., 1915-12-09
Galleries Cheer German
Chancellor's Proposal
To Await Peace Offers

rERLIN (via wireless to Sayville N.
ID Dec. 9.-Speaking before crowded
ealicrles in the reichstae today, Chan
relln vnft Bethmann- Hollweg made
known Germany's position regarding
peace
3 .ong as in the countries Of our
es5anl.es thS guilt and ignorance Of
statesmen are entangled with confusion
Of public opinion. 1t would be folly for
Eernnany to make proposals which
wo,.ld not shorten, but lengthen the
duration of the war;" said the chanccl-
lor.
First. the masks must be torn from
their faces. At present they speak OF
war of annihilation against us. We
have to consider this fact-that theo-
retical arguments for peace or propo-
sitons. will not advance US: they will
not bring the end nearer.
"If our enemies make peace pro-
posals compatible with Ger,nany's dig
nifty and safety, then we shall always
be ready to discuss them.
Conscious of Success.
Fully conscious of our unshaken
military successes. we decline the
responsibility for the continuation OF
the misery which now fills Europe
and the whole world. Nobody can
say that we are continuing the war
because we want to conquer this or
that country as a pledge"
Enthusiastic cheers filled the reichs-
tag chamber when the chancellor
concluded his reply to the peace in
terpolation of DR.. Philip Scheide-
mann. Socialist leader, At first there
was tense silence throughout the
whole house and galleries. This WAS
soon interrupted by signs Of assent.
first declared that the prospects of
peace discussion in the Reichstag had
excited great expectations and much
satisfaction in the countries Of Ger
should prevail was incomprenensible. he
said. in view of Germany's successes in
Serbia after opening the ruau toward
her Turkish allies. and after threaten
in sthe most vulnerable points of the
British empire
No Overtures Made.
Although this situation. he said, would
eXpla n the desire Of Germany's
enemies for peace. ncne of them have
made any overtures. They rather cling
10 the intentions which they publicly
hod armour ed at the beginning of the
war, he said. with naive brutality"
The chancellor reviewed recent utter
ances about possible peace conditions
that have come from Germany's
enemies.
tIe mentioned among these the hand
ing over OF Alsace- Lorraine to the
French. the annihilation Of so-called
Prussisn militarism. the expulsion Of
the Turks from Europe. the cession Of
the left bank of the Rhine to France.
and the creation Of greater Serbia.
including what is now the Austrian
province OF Bosnia. -
Won Eethmann- -Hcllwec said he
recognized thu 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 CT the Eng
lish House Of Lords.
Pretext Disappears.
Put the encmy5 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-
tion OF small countries has lost its
persuasive power since the recent
events in Greece.
"Small countries are in plight,
since England is lighting"
The chancellor discussed the prin-
ciple OF nationalities as applied by
Germany's enemies, and asked
whether the English colonial secre-
tary know that of the SOC, 900 in
haoitants CT Aisace more than 81 per
cent speak German as their mother
Tongue: He asked whether Poland,
by right Of nationality. belongs to
ybssnsr ,sbssias ,b he ssn,a demanded nci to know
by England In The case of Aisace