New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-12
British See Far-Flung
Berlin Propaganda
to End War
BELGIAN OFFER
VIEWED AS RUSE
Germany Promised to Give
Austria Slice of Balkans,
Is Charge
BY ARTHUR 8. DRAPER
tBy Cable 20 he Tribune. J

lBF ltOle 20 Inc ITlochcI
London, Nov. 11.-Chancellor Won
Bethmann-Hollweg, speaking before
the Reichstag committee on German
willingness to join peace league
and on the blame for the present
war, ostensibly was replying to Wis
count Grey. But really he was TAX
ing the first step in a clever move
toward peace.
The most significant feature Of the
Chancellor's speech was his omission
of any reference to Germany's plans
in the Balkans. There is a reason
for that omission. After the mill.
tary occupation Of Poland. Germany
and Austria discussed the future
state Of Poland with the view OF off
setting the promises of the Russian
Grand Duke Nicholas.
Austria Promised Balkan Lands
Austria stood out for large share
of Polish territory and Germany
agreed to buy her off with Balkan
annexations. Since Poland has been
declared an independent state-in
name, at least-the Central Powers
evidently are confident of the realiza-
tion of their ambitions in the Bal
kans.
The German Chancellor knows
that his country will be supremely
satisfied II at the close Of the war
he can point to a Berlin -Bsgdad
route, to German influence steadily
penetrating into Turkey, with Pales-
tine and Arabia--not to mention
Inda-as the ultimate goals. So
now he says: Il have never indi-
Gated that the annexation of Belgium
was our intention"
DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg empha-
sizes Belgium, but Great Britain wants
to know about the Balkans also. Re-
membering the Chsncellor's speech OF
last April, it discounts his latest pro-
fessions, preferring the sincerity OF the
leader of the Centre party. who, fol
lowing the Chancellor, said: Belgium
must remain in German hands, politi-
cally, militarily and economically"
Big Peace Movement Begun
II Bethmann- Hollweg Is sincere, Brit
ain wants to know why thousands OF
Belgisns are being transported to Ger
many like so many slaves; why Ger
many is using the machinery Of the
American Relief Commission as justi-
fcation for making slaves out Of the
Belgians.
In previous dispatches have referred
to peace movements. There is a big.
systematic one now under way, and it
would be foolish to minimize or under
estimate the importance and strength
of the agencies working in various d.
rections.
Official life here is fully cognizant Of
the strenuous efforts that must be
taken this winter to combat the peace
propaganda cunningiy disseminated by
Germany in neutral countries. The En-
tente Allies have never stated their
terms Of peace. Pacihsts underestimate
the feeling here.
Views Are Far Apart
There are, first, the minimum de
mands Of the British middle party that
Germany continue independent, but with
no military or political hold on the
buffer states, though not necessarily ex-
cluded from opportunities Of colonial
expansion; that Belgium and Serbia be
restored and reimbursed for their
losses, and that France regain Alsacs-
Lorraine.
That is an extremely moderate view
compared with that Of the war-to-s-
finish party. Even the middle party in
sist8 tnat thc war must cVHeHet HhRs
the German people admit defest--not
by crying for quarter. but by turning
down and repudiating Prussisn mill
tarism, responsible for their position.
Bethmann- -Hoilweg's whole speech Is
interpreted as an effort 20 make neu-
trails believe that Great Britain 10
bound 20 annihilate Germany, though
the latter Is merely fighting for life in
a defensive war. He Is willing at all
times to join peace league" but
"henceforth no aggressive coalition
should be formed"-whieh, according TO
the British view, means "a world par.
lament without parties"
Fear League Against Britain
The German Chancellor's references
TO a league Of nations 70 enforce peass
have made a poor impression here. CO.
pecially his assertion that during .
war the neutrals, according to his
(Grey's) desire, will have 20 remain
neutral and patiently tndurs every