Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-30


 We have seized territories which we do not need, and which would be n,;llstones around our necks if they came came to us as gift. These are Bel c;um. northern France, Poland and Serbia.
 We have lost territories far broader than those we have seized; but they were not an integral part of Ger rnany and hitherto had brought us no advantage, because the imperial gov e,nment administered them unwisely. They were our colonies. I do not know whether a German republic would rule them better and derive real profit from them. We can not read prophecies on map.
 Through the tremendous overturn- ing we have caused in Europe by ab- ropating treaties, by disregarding all the unwritten rules and customs of civilized life, we have opened old wounds, brought to life old claims, and revived the deepest problems of na- tional and political life for ourselves and for other nations.
 i Only weak-minded and puffing ped- ants, who can learn nothing either from history or from practical exper- fence, imagine that 1t is possible to re- turn to the conditions that previously existed, either in Germany or abro d. No; the blood of 9 million men must not flow in vain. and it has not. Old Europe, with its alliances and fac tions, with it's secret diplomacy and court intrigues, with it's vast arma- ments and worldwide spy system, with it's forcible tearing asunder of people of the same race and speech to subject them to different rulers, and with it's agglomeration of hostile na- tionalities under single sovereignty, thus paralyzing the native energy of each; this old Europe with its policy of plunder, where the mailed fist stood in place of reason, where citi- zens were slaves of the state instead of the state being common agency for serving the welfare of citizens, and where there is a different moral code for ruler and ruled, must sweep out of it's ruins these abuses and many others, and never permit them to re- turn.
 A new day must dawn for humanity out of this night of madness--a day of joy, freedom and justice.
 Likewise the map of Europe must be changed, but that is not so impor- tant as transforming the inner struc- ture of the state, because upon this and not upon the map depends the happiness of nations.
 But which, my brothers and sisters, is best fitted to comprehend and solve these problems, the sword or reason?
 The answer is certain: The sword can only destroy civilizations it can not foster it.
 With such party cries as ""Now we'll thrash them" "Hard at it,,'' "Neces- sity knows no law," nations may be attacked, but such watchWords do not help true statesmen to design new scheme of society.
 In fact, these statesmen will not sit at the same council table with those who adopt such principles. Men do not negotiate with person who from ambush has murdered a helpless vic tim to whom he had promised his pro- lection. Men do not conclude peace treaties with those whom they already know to be willing to betray their word.
 If you wish to wait until the civil ized world treats with the kaiser and ms hangman's gang for peace, you w1ll have long time yet to shed your blood and to suffer famine. You will be paying with your own flesh for the reorganization of the world-aye, TOT the regeneration of your own country.
 Germany will not be entirely de- stroyed even then, for nation of 68,- Ooo,OO0 people has a wonderfully ten aelous life; but she will be bankrunt ana will have lost her influence and standing in the world. And this through your fault through your own inactivity. within your own breast IS Ta Tne star of your destiny"
 me entente can and is willing to treat with German republic. The entente is not fighting the German people. But so long as the German s people defend and support the con auce or thelr government, they natur- I ~h! recelve all the chastisement Wn1cn n that government has earned.
 vne preliminary condition must be of peace: '' O' ''''s 'a'N
 Delglum and northern France must os unconditionally evacuated. France SGaPlessly and justly makes this con m sthe future policies of civilized
 arope no annexations will be per- l.ted without the consent of those ~no are annexed. The Europe of Au-
 Sss saa, !, 1914, had no such expressed
 hni;owtever, before August 1. 1914, the
 atlon to observe treaties was
 Caeasaliy recognized. When the
 HoI,,an Han government, as Bethmann-
 ,e;shg ,,sS;ihweg himself admitted in his < MI hraItag speech of August 4. 1914.
 {rsI Hi 5 treaty in order to invade neu, m,s I peigium and through Belgium to < aoe snS France, it committed crime: :: 3 s,cns ,,r so long as the German people an.
 vye tnv. thls crime and retain this terri x sIiyy y' negotiations are legally and nor. <: bvI ,h mpossible. A maxim approved < e,il;aes ,e iaw and conscience of every