New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-11
BERLIN APPROVES
HOLLWEG'S OFFER
Reichstag and Press Hail
Speech as Opening
Way to Peace

Berlin. Nov. 1O.-The declaration Of
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg IN
the Reichstag yesterday that Germany
was ready at any time TO enter peace
league OF tho nations, provided free
dom of the seas from British domino
tion was guaranteed, IL Endorsed gen
orally in Berlin.
Even the conservative "Kreuz lei
tung" stands firmly with the Chancel-
Tor on this point. "The first condition
for an international policy of peace
says this organ, sis that no more ag-
gressive coalitions be formed
Ready for Peace Offer
The "Tageblatt" says the ideas for
the future which the Chancellor dis
cugsed are more important than the
question as to who is guilty Of having
caused the war, and believes the speech
has opened the way for peace. Taxing
the same view, the "Freisinnige Lei-
tung" remarks: "Now is the time for
the Entente powers, especially Great
Britain. TO come forward with a pro-
gramme." 49,,
In a debate following the Chancel-
lor's speech a member of the Socialist
party said that the cry for interna-
tional treaties to prevent the recur,,
renee of war was gaining ground IN al
countries. As Germany was at war LOT
defence, and not for conquest, he add
ed. il would be of advantage II she LOOK
She lead in a coalition for peace.
The Socialist "Vorwarts" declares
that peace is hindered now by the
French hone to snquer parts of West
ern Germany and by the Russian hope
to capture Constantinople. 1t says
that a majority Of the German nation
wants peace, not under all circum-
stances. but on the basis of equal
rights for all nations. The "Vorwarts'
adds: ain the Chancellor's speech we
hear the rustic of the wings OF the
future which will bring these horrors
TO an end"
Assures Belgian Liberty
The Imperial Chancellor's remark
that he never demanded the anneXa-
tion of Belgium is generally treated as
TO a definite denunciatlon OF
The "Kreuz Zeitung" says
it understands his words in this sense
and regrets them, along with the other
Conservative organs, like Die fost'
the "Tageszeitung" and the "Tagllsche
Rundschau." These papers also regret
that the Chancellor did not define more
clearly his position regarding guarah-
tees of future Brlgian neutrality.
Leaders of all parties in the Reichs-
tag main committee expressed virtually
agreement with the nam
points in the speech. They Endorsed
The Chancellor's views concerning an
peace league and specihed
their own ideas in regard TO 1t. In ad-
dition most Of the orators stated the
views of their parties concerning Bel
GUM and the Polish trouble.
A member of the Catholic party SAID
lie welcomed the Chancellor's declara-
ton that Germany would join union
Of states for preservation of peace. lie
said also that the experiences of the
war justified desire for the better
protection of Germanys frontier. The
speaker declared that the kingdom OF
Poland gave the Poles a chance for
free and Independent evolution, and
that Belgium never again must be
used as starting point for an inva-
sion against Germany
Blame Russia and Grey
What the Imperial Chancellor said
the Russian imperial order
mobilization as equivalent
10 war against Germany and the Chan
cellor's own communications TO Aus
tria- Hungary are considered convincing
proofs of the justice of Germany's
course in the critical week preceding
the breach, but the newspapers general
" express regret that these matters
were not published earlier.
The "Lokal Anzeiger" says: ITO the
whole world the name of Edward Grey
is known as the chief instrument of the
present war. Whosoever reads between
the lines of Grey's banquet speech and
his other utterances will perceive that
he accuses others in order TO exculpate
and that all these attempts
merely spring from an evil conscience
with guilt"
The "Tages Zeitung" says that under
no circumstances can it consider the
question of the causes of the war as
bearing upon the end of the war, since
the end will be decided by the military
situation II also expresses regret that
the Chancelor's words concerning Bel
GUM may admit of the idea that the
Chancellor suggests peace on the basis
of the status quo on the West front.
"Germania," the Catholic organ, ex-
presses doubt as 10 Niscount Grey's
on the question of arbitration.
GERMANS WARN GREECE