New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-08
No Speech of Imperial
Chancellor" Can EverF Orm
Basis Of OvertureS.'
LORD ROBERT CECIL
ANSWERS HOLLWEO
Ridicules German Schemes for
New Belgium and New
Poland.

Reichstsg Of DR.. Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg, the German Imperial Chancellor
conversing with American correspond
cnts.
Lord Robert said the suggestion thai
Germany might abandon her submarine
warfare If Great Britain relaxed her
food blockade was hardly likely TO be
entertained by Great Britain. which
had no faith that any promise made by
Germany regarding submarine warfare
would be kept.
These periodical speeches IN the
Reichstag." said Lord Robert, are
cunning blends Of bombast and peace
ful protestations. Through them all
runs the deliberate design TO nourish
German hatred Of England above all her
Allies, 20 bolster the fiction that the
German government are fighting a de-
fcnsive war. and 20 forestall and pre-
vent that which the German govern
ment most fears-a popular demand IN
Germany for peace. Never can the Al
lies dignity this attitude By taking IL
as an overture The Chancellor MADE
his so-called proposals last year solely
that he might be able 20 refer 20 lnem
yirtuously to-day.
No Faith in Promises.
Germany slackened her submarine
warfare for some time when the opera
tions Of tn. British navy deprived her
Of the necessary number Of submarines
but has now begun Il again. am con,
WINGED tina. Germany cannot be trusted
to keep any promise
Reviewing the address OF DR.. Won
Bethmann- Hollweg, Lord Robert said;
The Chaucellor's speech covers
much % old ground. 4 usual, ne
claims that the Allies have no legal
right 70 blockade Germany. and ap-
pears 20 think the neutrals are OF the
same opinion. Yet among all the neu-
trail governments who have protested
against our action. none has been found
TO argue that the blockade IS IN ltseli
illegal precisely in the proportion IN
which il IS effective.
THAT Is Germany's contention. Ger
many has openly proclaimed her inten-
ton Of blockaGing TINS country and mas
done her best 20 DO so. We presume
her ACLou IS gAoN4i-NN "NN''-N - ~
effective
Proposals Rejected in Advance.
Referring 10 Or. Won Bethmann-iioll-
wec's statement that Great Britain
alone l. responsible for the continue
ton of the war and that he made pro-
posals last September 10 which he had
received no reply, Lord Robert said:
1T may be well 10 make clear an
swer 20 this. By singing out separate
powers among the Allies the chancellor
endeavors 20 sow mischief and distIust
among them, but ne has failed. ne
Allies stand together and have pledged
themselves TO make peace IA common.
The Chancellor knows tins well. lie
knows, too. and the people or Germany
whom he deludes should know, that
nothing in any public speech ne makes
can ever form the basis Of peace over
lures
Lord Robert recalled Dr. Won Beth
nn-Hollweg's words of December =,
None Of our enemies mas approached
with peace proposals, and they believe
II TO be in their interest falsely 20 at
tribute peace proposals 10 Us. and the
Cbancelior's statement that II he was
20 sneak OF peace condition he must
fr.t see the conditions OF Germany ?
enemies
"lt is clear" Lord Robert continued,
chat the Germans themselves do no.
make any proposals., in spite OF VIVA.
the Chancellor now pretends.
Opposing Principles Contrasied.
"Tbe Chancellor invokes the prin-
ciple Of nationality ia Poland and Bel
GUM. There are two principles OF Ha-
tionalitv. One procla.ms the simple
right OF each man 10 free seii-develop-
ment and association with ms feAoN =
and looks 20 the exercise OF That rga-
through the establishment and STEADY
development OF democratic government
within each country.
"The other summons all the PROBES
sors from all the universities, cover
its political designs IN cloud o.
chronological theories. sends OUT us
secret service agents 10 ioment insuI-
rection and stimulate bloodshed, ana iii
due course reaps the rewards OF us CT
forts IN the establishment OF riSia
tyranny. fringed by buffer oorderlahH
OF anarchy. ,....o.
of this country; the second 10 the am
hilton OF Germany. We know IL OF
al We encountered 1t in Napoleon
ord II was Canning VINO fought
bvnocritical nationaiisms to death
and who afterward In the name o.
true liberty called in the new wor!G
"a redress the balance OF the Old.
$50 Germany and Austria are 20
solve the problem Of Poland A truly
comfortable prospect for the Poles.
II germany wants SuwalN there VIII
he no dearth Of German professors 20
nroye that il Is Lithuanian ana not
Polish. Poland is 20 be free, but not
for the Poles. Their country is re-
served for the noble function or
buFer between Germany and hlSsla'
delicately colonized By Germans
And Belgium? There j. 20 be n
-ou, Relrium. Listen 20 the Cnancel-
ior setting the oppressed Flemish Tree
10 oratorv. after they have refuse .
for months TO be set free by the milo
r,,ie 81 the German Kommandators lh
pelciur or 20 swallow the precious
Flemish University which the German
government has tried 10 force COW"
their threats. .-o i.
ITO such peace proposals there
only one answer. We refuse. a. :
ochting for the old Belgium lha'
vbich has been broken snail De re-
.tored. and with the nation anu eo,-
eminent who broke 1t we shall never
have peace so long as they nave me
eTrontery TO claim the right OF play
INC providence with the pieces
War Planned in Advance.
"uss not the world made up ITS mind
,bo-o the responsibility for starting
~ var rests Upon the Allies, whose
49, were not ready FOR offence, or
upon Germany, who mad planned IN au.
''poce The violation Of Belgium? Now
cnr,osrv saws she wishes an end 90 the
Sos,iii,ies Il 70 because she loves
ncace7 No. because her early hopes OF