Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-29
TO SHIELD FATHERLAND
FROM ATTACK FOREVER,
GERMANS AIM--H0LLWEG
Chancellor Discusses P ca ce
Overtures at Reopening Of
Reichstag - Defense of
Rights and Liberties
RUMANIANs MERCENARY,

BERI,IN. Sept as.-But a small portion
OF the Chancellors speech in the Reichstsg
yesterday was permitted TO be cabled
abroad other portions are available this
afternoon. Referring to peace overtures,
the Chancellor said:
From the very beginning this war has
been for Germany nothing but the defense
OF our rights Of life and liberty. Therefore
Germany, first OF all the belligerents. de-
clared her readiness for negotiations on
December Q, 1915, and later on several oc-
casions.
DISPUTES BRIAND
I'VE did our duty, nor does anybody dare
ask that we make proposals today when
our enemies. as Mr.. BRAND did short
while ago, said that peace now would be
considered humiliation and the thought
Of peace a provocation and disgrace to the
memory of the dead. our enemies continue
the war because they hope to reach their
utopian aims.
THE French Premier said in one of his
latest speeches that France fights for a
firm and lasting peace In which the free
dom Of nationalities is protected against
all attacks by international agreement
This we want. too, to protect Germany
forever against every attack. But does
Mr. BRAND, who united our enemies before
the war into an alliance of French thirst
for revenge, Russian lust of conquest and
English policy of isolating Germany-does
Mr.. BRAND believe that this prepares the
soil from which could grow international
agreements. granting to nations liberty,
honor, dignity and peaceful collaboration
for the sake of humanity and progress? Or
does Mr.. BRAND really believe that he can
obtain this lofty ideal in time by a war Of
humiliation in which Frances last youth
dies on the devastated battlefelds of ver-
dun and the Somme?"
RUMANIA'S HOSTILITY
In regard to Rumania entering the war,
the Chancellor said:
"Rumanis, guided by Premier Bratiano
sought the easiest way to obtain riches
without great sacrifices During the first
year Of the war, probably after the fall of
Lemberg, Bratiano secretly concluded a
treaty of neutrality with Russia, leaving
his sovereign in ignorance. After Przemysl
fell he had about decided TO enter the war
but Russia wanted to increase her own
territory by the acquisition of Bukowina,
while Rumania wanted Bukowina and the
whole Hungarian territory as far the
River Thesis.
"Rumania continued to favor the Allies,
despite the temporary failure of these
negotiations and actually withheld from
Germany grain purchased by the Germans
until energetic pressure was used. When
Mackensen broke through the Russian line
at Gorlce, Bratlano again hesitated, feeling
that perhaps he had stalked on the wrong
horse, and negotiations for Rumania's en-
trance into the war almost ceased.
"ROBBER OF DEAD BODY"
This spring the Russian War Office
made Bratiano believe that he saw the
downfall of the central powers He then
decided to get his share when the robbery
OF the dead body began. The Entente
powers also had a more free hand in the
negotiations than others. Serbia was con-
quered and the protectors of small and
feeble states were no longer forced to
show any consideration for Serbia's former
wishes for annexation and could be more
liberal toward Rumana
"Bratiano decided the middle of August
to join. the Allies, but the Rumanian army
lacked preparation and had inadequate
supplies of munitions in the fortresses of
Tutrakan and Silistra, which fell TO the
Teutons Russia, however. sent an ulti-
matum, declaring that IL Rumana did not
declare war by August 2S a Russian army
would cross the Rumanan frontier"
The efforts of the Russians to break
through the Austro-German lines and the
efforts of the Allies to interrupt German
communications with Turkey alike failed.
the Chancellor said. The allied army at
Salonca has been able to make only feeble
advances, he said.
The Germans, Bulgarians and Turks in
Dobrudja marched northward while our
enemies hoped that the Russians and Ru-
manians would march southwark" he
added. "On the Somme front isolated en-
emy successes do not change the general
situation. Otherwise we have made a sue
cessful defense against all hostile attacks" !"