Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-09
Imperial Chancellor Says
Offer at Present Time Time
Would Be Folly.
SHIFTS BLAME
FOR CONTINUANCE
Or. Won 5sthmann- HolIwss' Declares
War Can Not Be Terminated Until
There 10 Certainty Hostiiities Will
Not Return-"Hlind statesmanship"
Of Enemies Held Responsible For
Failure to Ask Germany For Peace.

II our enemies make peace proposals
compatible with Germany's dignity
and safety, then we shall always be
ready to discuss them,' said the inn
perial chancellor, DR.. Won Bethmann-
HollWeg in addressing the reichstag
today.
The chancellor made 1t clear that in
his opinion it would be folly for Ger
many to propose peace as long as in
the countries Of our enemy the guilt
and ignorance Of Statesmen are en-
tangled in confusion with public
opinion"
Conscious Of her successes the
chancellor said. Germany declines re-
sponsibility for the continuance OF tho
~w,a=
The war can be terminated only by
peace which will give the certitude
that war will not return" the chan
cellor declared. I'VE all agree about
that"
He asserted Germany's food supplies
were sufficient
Replies to Socialist.
The address of Dr.. Won Bethmann-
Holfweg. which has been awaited with
extraordinary interest. was made In
response to tho socialistic interpola-
ton:
il the chancellor ready to give IN
formation As to the conditions under
which he would be willing to enter into
peace negotiations?"
In his reply the chancellor said: i.
Az long as IN the country OF our
enemies the guilt and iguorAnca of
sstAtssrnsn are entang1ed with cons
fusion Of public opinion. It would ha
sfeiiy s1oe essranyto % make peace pro-
posalA which won1d not shorten but
would lengthen the drna&1on Of tho
war. First the: fmas1s must be torn
from their faces
.'psaos Wsuld Not Advance us..
',At present they speak of war of
annihilation against us. We have to
take this fact into account. Theoreti-
calIy argument for peace viii not ad-
vance us, win not bring the end near
er..s
IF our enemies make peace propos-
ais compatible with Germany's dignity
and safety. then we win always be
ready to consider them. We decline
responsibility for continuation of the
misery which now fills Europe and the
whole world. No one can say that we
continue the war because we still de-
sire to conquer this or that country as
q guarantee"
In these words the chancellor stated
the position Of the German government
on the question of peace
When DR. Bethmann- Hollweg rose
to reply to the Interpolation presented
/ 1Ny
silence fell over the whole house but
was soon broken by manifestations Of
approval. Several times the deputies
interrupted him with cheers. e
None Asks Psaos. +
DR.. Won Bethmann- -Hollweg began
by saying that in the countries at war
with Germany there had been much
discussion Of the socialist interpolation,
and the knowledge that peace was to
be discussed had been Of great inn,
port to these countries.
Altho the situation would explain a
desire for peace on the part Of Ger
many's enemies, he declared none Of
them had made overtures. In fact they
were continuing to cling to the hope
that Germany would first ask peace.
The chancellor then discussed terms
Of peace made in countries at war
with Germany such as handing
over to France, the
expulsion OF the Turks, cessation Of the
left bank Of the Rhine and the creation
of q greater Serbia, including Bosnia.
Sensible Men In Minority.
It was true, the chancellor ohtinued,
that there were some persons In the
countries at war with Germany who
took sensible position, but they were
In the minority. e
Referring to the discussion whether
Germany's enemies would be able to
bring greatly superior forces Into the
field, the chancellor mentioned the fact
that France already has called to the
colors the class Of 1917, bringing into
the war the youths under military age
He referred to the charge that MEM
bers OF the crew OF q German sub
marine had been shot while Defense
less by the crew Of the British boat
Baralong, and said the British press
had cancelled the facts in this case
from the nation.
AS he made this remark the whole
nouse arose in an expression OF indig-
nation.
Socialists Want Psacs.
The address OF the socialist leader
Was received with interest second only
10 that Of the chancellor. "A glance at
the map. he said. would show that
Germany. conscious Of her successes,
could now speak Of peace without rin-
ming the risk Of being accused of being
dispirited. He protested Agaif1St the
attitude Of those who dream Of the an.
snexation Of much territory. and spoke
with equal earnestness In 6Anuncfation
He protested also against the crusade
In foreign countries In opposition TO
'.Prussian militarism." !" because &c was