Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-05-16
Bluntly Announces He Will Continue to Observe
 Policy of Reticence.
SOCIALIST LEADER
 THREATENS REVOLT
Von Bcthmann- iIolIwcg Makes Broad IntimatiOn That Approaches From Russia for Separate Peace, Will
 Not Be MiSinterpreted.

Berlin, via London, May l5.-In one Of the most vigorous and plain-spoken statements he made before the reich stag since the outbreak of war. the im- pcral German chancellor today buntly refused to enter into discus sion of Germany's peace aims, as de- manded in interpellations by the Con- servatives and Socialists.
 pr. von Bethmann-IIollweg asserted these calls for Germany's specific peace program, announcement of which would not only be premature, but which would be difficult to fOrmu- alte and also of no practical service to the nation in the present situation. While approaching the passionate desire of all classes to know the gov ernments views, he plainly declared he would not permit himself to be swayed by pressure from any source and was not under the spell Of any party or clique. The first interests of the nation demanded that the reticence i he had imposed on himself in the face of continuous clamOr since December 1915 should be observed until the moment is right. He was sure such course will be endorsed by the nation at large, which i continued to rally around the emperor, and also would meet the views of the reichstag. He briefly reviewed Ger man relations with neutrals.
 Demand Definite Statement
 "These interpellations demand from me definite statement on the ques- ton of war aims" said the chancel- Tor. "To make such statement at the present moment would not serve the country's interests. I must. there- fore. decline to make it.
 Since the winter of 1914-15. I have been pressed. now from one side, now from another, publicly to state our war aims, possibly with details. Every day they were demanded from me. To force me to speak, an attempt was made to construe my silence regarding the program of war aims of individual parties as agreement.
 Against that, must again reso- lutely protest. On giving liberty for free discussion of war aims. had it expressly declared the government could not and would not participate in the conflict of views. l also protested against any positive conclusions re- garding the governments attitude being drawn from the governments silence. l now repeat this protest In most conclusive form
 What I was ever to say about our war aims, I say here in the reichstag. in public. They are general princi- pies. They could not be more. But they are clear enough. These funda- mental lines have been adhered to up to today, and from further solemn ex- pression in the peace offer made con- jointly with our allies on December IF, 1916.
 ."The supposition which recently has arisen that differences of opinion ex- isted on the peace question between us and our allies belongs to the realm of fable. I expressly affirm this now. with certainty. I am at the same time also expressing the conviction that leading statesmen of the powers which are our allies, are with us.'
 Broad Hint to Russia.
 With reference to Russia. the chancellor said:
 "As regards our eastern neighbor, Russia, I have already recently spoken. It appears as if the new Russia has declined fo' herself these violent plans of conquest. Whether Russia will or can act in the same sense on her allies, am unable to estimate. Doubtless England, with the assistance of her allies. will employ all her efforts to keep Russia harnessed to the English war char tot and to traverse Russian wishes for speedy restoration of world peace.
 of, however. Russia wants to shun further bloodshed and renounce all plans of conquest for herself, if she wishes to restore durable relations and peaceful life side by side with us, then surely it is matter of course that we who share this wish will not disturb permanent relations in the future and will rot render de-s fvelopments impossible by demands which indeed do not accord with the freedom of nations and which would deposit in the Russian nation tho tcontinued on pa1e.tlye,J x