Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-16

Independent policy by further develop
ing their power.
Thus. time is on our side With
| full confidence we can trust that VIC
are approaching Il satisfactory end
| Then the time will come when we can
negotiate with our enemies about our
war aims. regarding which am in full
harmony with the supreme army COM
mand. Then we will attain n peace
which Will bring us liberty TO rebuild
what the war has destroyed in the un-
| hampered development OF our strength
so that from all the blood and all the
sacrifices. an empire. II people will rise
! again, strong. independent and un-
| threatened by it's enemies. a bulwark
| OF peace and labor"
SCHEIDEMANN DEFENDS
SOCIALIST PEACE PROGRAM
In speaking on the Socialist inter
pcllation. Phillip Scncidemann. Social
| list member, and former vice president
Of the RcichstaE. defended the Socialist
a>acc program ar remuneration and
gave the Chancellor's baiters ono Of
his typical grillings.
\ motion TO end tho debate was lost.
after which the middle road parties.
made up of the Ccntrists. National
Liberals Progressive Peoples party
and German fraction. presented a Joint
declaration approving the Chanccllor's
attitude.
Following the Chancellor. DR.. Peter
Sphan, leader of the Catholic Center
party speaking in the name of the
Ccntrists. the National Liberals. the
Progressive Peoples party and the ma
jority Of the German fraction. said:
We are unanimously agreed that at
present thorough discussion in the
Rcichstag of our war aims rightly
understood would not serve the in
tercsts OF the Fatherland. The German
peoples desire for peace is directed
towards "a settlement which will guar
antcc the existence of the German en-
pire. her political. economic and world
power and freedom Of development
and which would prevent forever our
exclusion from tho world markets
which Great Britain desires. The Ger
man people also has confidence in n
peace which will approach the aims
the Chancellor definitely laid down in
former speeches
At ONE IN REFUSING TO
DISCLOSE INTENTIONS
al
refusing. under the present circun-
stances to disclose TO our enemies the
details OF our war aims. II is enough
that the government declares that II
puTsues neither boundless plans of con-
quest nor binds itself to thoughts of
peace without annexation and without
indemniticS II the enemy is combat
ing Prussian militarism and the Hohen-
zonerns in the llustrious person of the
Emperor. ii will only result in bring
! ing His Majesty closer TO the hearts
OF the German people.
We resolutely oppose all enemy in
reference i'll our domestic affairs. We
do not want TO interfere in the domes-
tic affairs OF Russia. We are atten-
tlveiy following the struggle Of that
mighty people toward political and In
telleciuai freedom. We should rejoice
II the government were ready at any
time 10 conclude peace with Russia
and establish permanent good and
neighborly relations.
HE German people maintains its
determination 10 uphold the imperial
iaea OF protection OF our political. re-
liEiouS and economic treasures. The
spirit Of the Easter message insurcs
continued development of our national
life. The people looks with complete
confidence 10 its Emperor. We are
sure that our people will indorse the
reserve which The Chancellor enjoins.
and our watchword must be Close the
Ranks"
\ significant feature Of the session
was the introduction into their re-
marks by Philip Scheidemann the
Social Dem ocratic leader. and ticorG
Ledehour. the Independent Socialist. OF
references TO Il possible revolution in
Germany. Herr Scheidemann minated
that If the British and French re-
nounced the idea OF annexation and
Germany insisted on anncxing terri
tory, there would be a revolution.
This resulted in imdignan, reputation
by a large section OF the house. and
Herr Scheidemann fastened TO say u
had no, gone SO far as that Yet Herr
Ledebour. however. declared q republic
must soon be estabIshcd i'll Germany
and that his party would propose that
constitution committee take rrepara.
tory steps In that direction