The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-22
Wilhelm Sees
Need of Free
Seas at Last


reply to Pope Benedict's peace pro-
posals declares the special measures
taken by the government in closest
contact with the representatives of the
German people to discuss the ques-
tions raised proves how earnestly it
desires to find practical basis for a
just and lasting peace
Continuing, the reply says Germany
fully recognizes with his holiness the
high peace producing effect of arbitra.
ton to decide international differ
ences, and in this respect Germany is
ready to support every proposal CON-
patible with the vital interests with
the German empire and people.
Favors Passing Of Arms.
The German reply says the imperial
government greets with special SYM
pathy the leading idea. lin which his
holiness clearly expresses the convic
ton that the future material power OF
arms must be superseded by the moral
power of right.
The reply says, In part:
"Appreciating the importance OF his
holiness declaration, the imperial
government has not failed to submit
the suggestions contained therein to
earnest and scrupulous examination
Special measures which the govern.
ment has taken in closest contact with
representatives OF the German people
for discussing and answering the ques.
tions raised, prove how earnestly 1t
desires, in accordance with his hOli-
ness desires and peace resolutions OF
the reichstag, to find just and last
ing peace.
Freedom Of High Seas.
"We share his holiness view that
definite rules and certain safeguards
Tor a simultaneous and recipatiOn of
armament on land and sea and in the
air as we'll as a true freedom of the
community Of the high seas are the
things in treating with the new spirit
that in the future should prevail in
international relations should first find
hopeful expression. The task would
then Of itself arise to decide inter-
national differences of opinion not by
use of armed forces, but by peaceful
methods, especially by arbitration,
whose high peace producing effect,
we, together with his holiness, appre'
ciate.
"The imperial German government
will in this respect support every pro-
posal compatible with the vital inter
ests of the German empire and people.
Wish a Fraternal Spirit.
Germany, owing to her geographi-
cal situation and economic require
ments has to rely on peaceful inter-
course with her neighbors and distant
countries. No people have more rea'
son than the German people to wish
that, instead of universal hatred and
battle, a consiliatory fraternal spirit
should prevail between nations.
Make Repetition Impossible.
"lf the nations are guided by this
spirit, it will be recognized to their
advantage to lay more stress on what
unites them. They will also succeed
in settling individual points OF con-
f,ict. which are still undecided in such
a way that conditions of existence Will
he created which Will be satisfactory
to every nation and thereby a repe-
tition of this great world catastrophe
would appear impossible.
Hope Enemies See Light.
"Only on this condition can last
ing peace be founded which would pro-
mote an intellectual reapproachment
and a return to the economic prosper
ity of human society. This serious Gus
and sincere conviction encourages our
confidence that our enemies may also
see suitable basis in the ideas sup
mitted by his holiness for approach.
ing nearer to the preparations OIL
future peace under conditions CORE
sponding to a spirit of reasonableness
and to the situation in Europe