New-York tribune., 1917-07-21
Will Not Yield Imperial Rights


efficiency
Will Not Yield Imperial Rights
81 also consider it desirable that the
relations of confidence between Parlia-
ment and the government should be
made closer by calling to the leading
executive positions men who, in add
ton to their conciliatory character.
possess the confidence Of the great par
ties in the popular representative body.
All this is, Of course, possible only on
the assumption that the other side rec
ognizes that the constitutional right Of
the imperial administration to conduct
our policy must not be narrowed | am
not willing to permit the conduct OF
affairs to be taken from my hands.
We are sailing through a wildly tossing
sea, in a dangerous channel, but our
destination shines out before our eyes.
What we long to attain" the Chan:
cellor went on, "is a new and splendid
Germany. not a Germany which wishes,
as our enemies believe, to terrorize the
world with her armed might no, the
morally purified, God-fearing, loyal,
peaceful and mighty Germany which we
all love. For this Germany we shall
and our brothers out there will bleed
and die. For this Germany we shall
fight our way through. despite all
force"
In referring to the military situation
on the various fronts, Chancellor
Michaelis said:
"The season of the year has set a
pause to the fighting in the Caucasus,
Persia and Palestine. When it is re-
sumed the enemy will find the Turkish
army newly equipped and full Of con-
fidence."
Scheidemann Approves
Philip Scheidcmann, the Socialist
leader, expressed approval OF the re-
marks of the Chancellor in regard to
peace, according to Copenhagen dis
patches. He said that II resolution
similar to the peace resolution adopted
by the Reichstag were introduced IN
the House of Commons, and II a simi-
lar reply were made by the British
Premier, peace negotiations could be-
gin tomorrow.
The Socialist opposition to the Chan
cellor, Herr Scheidemann said, was po-
litical and not personal, as in the case
oil the 0tner parties -
Herr Scheidemann said the Chan
cellor's words in regard to franchise
reform were unsatisfactory.
Friedrich Won Payer, Radical mem
her, of the German Reichstag, ap-
nroved the statement on peace made by
chancellor Michaelis. He expressed the
confidence Of the Radicals that Chan
ceIlor Michaelis would conduct the in
lines.
Not a Peace Offer
Herr Won Payer said the resolution
introduced in the Reichstag was not
peace offer, but a we'll thought out
declaration approved by the command
er in chief, by the government and by
the Reichstag majority, the members
of which agreed with the main OBJ
iects of the war. The introduction of
a parliamentary system for the direc-
tion of the empire, he said, must be
given most serious consideration. The
summoning of experienced party lead
ers to participate in the administration
was a policy, he declared. which prom
ised good results, and he was glad the
Chancellor was inclined to follow it.
The peace resolution was submitted
by Deputy Fehrenbsch, Centrist, in
the name of the Centre, Radicals and
Socialists, after the Chancellor had
concluded his address. Herr Fehren-
bach said the resolution could not be
interpreted as a sign of weakness. As
for parliamentarism. he declared the
Centre wished to preserve the rights
Of the federated states and the En-
peror.
Count Won westsrp, Conservative,
extended a welcome to the new Chan
cellor and expressed the sincere wish
that he would succeed in conducting
the affairs Of the empire with good re-
suits in the serious and difficult situa-
ton of the country.
"The desire Of our enemies to ami
hila.e US has not yet been broken" he
said. "They still regard as sign Of
weakness all proofs of our willingness
to make peace. The foreign press is
saying that the proposed peace resolu-
tion is calculated TO stiffen the courage
Of our enemies and prolong the war.
We, therefore, regret this resolution,
which is not conducive to strengthen
ing the will and firm trust Of the army
and the nation.