The Washington herald., 1917-01-12
TEXT OF TWO "PEACE" NOTES
GERMANY'S NOTE.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

heads to examine our proposition as to
It's contents, never attempted an exami-
lation nor made counter proposals.
Instead, they declare that peace Is i'm
possible as long as the re-establishment
Of violated rights and liberties, the rec
ignition of the principle of nationalities.
and the free existence of small states are
not guaranteed.
The sincerity which the adversary de-
MES to the proposals of the four CTeu-
tonic) allied powers will not be conceded
by the world to these demands IL the
world holds before its eyes the fate OF
the Irish people. the destruction of lib
erty and independence OF the Boer re-
publics, the subjugation OF northern Afri-
ca by England. France and Italy, the
suppression of the Russian alien nations
and also the violation OF Greece, which
is without precedent in history.
Also, against the alleged violations Of
the laws of nations by the four (Teutonic)
allies, these powers are not entitled to
complain, since they from the beginning
OF the war trampled upon justice and
tore to pieces the treaties upon which 1t
Is built
Repudiated Declarations.
England during the first weeks of the
war repudiated the declaration of LON
don. the stipulations of which had been
recognized by her own delegates as form
ing valid law OF nations, and in the
further course of the war she violated
most severely also the declaration of
Paris, so that by her arbitrary measures
Of warfare on the sea condition of
lawlessness was created.
The war of starvation against Ger
many and the pressure exercised In Eng
lands interest against neutrals are nc
less scandalously conflicting with the
rules OF the laws of nations than they
are with the commands of humanity.
\'Likewise, contrary to the laws of
nations, and incompatible with the
principles of civilizations, is the use o.
colored troops in Europe and the extern
sion Of the war into Africa, which was
done by a breach of existing treaties.
and which undermines the prestige OF the
white race of that continent
The barbarous treatment of prisoners.
especially in Africa and Russia; the de-
portation of the civilian population from
East Prussia and Alsace Lorraine and
from Galicia and the Bukowina are
further proof of how our adversaries re-
spect justice and civilization.
AT the end of their note OF Decem-
ber 30. our adversaries point out the
special situation Of Belgium.
THE imperial government is unable to
acknowledge that the Belgian govern
ment always observes the duties which
were enJoined upon it by the status Of
neutrality.
Violated Spirit of Treaty.
Already before the war, Belgium, un-
der Englands influence. sought support
in a military respect from England and
France and thus herself violated the spirit
with which she had to guarantee her in
dependence and neutrality.
Twice the imperial government de-
clared to the Belgian government that 1t
did not come as an enemy to Belgium,
and asked it to spare to that country
the terrors Of war.
I'm this event the imperial govern
ment offered to guarantee, to the fullest
extent, the integrity and Independence
all damages that might be caused by the
passage of the German troops.
TT is known that the royal British
government in 1887 was resolved not to
oppose the use OF the right OF way
through Belgium under those conditions
THE Belgian government declined the
repeated offer of the imperial government
Upon it 1.-The Belgian governmeno and
those powers who instigated 1t to this att
titude, falls the responsibility for the fate
which befell Belgium
Energetic Protest.
The accusations about German warfare
in Belgium and the measures taken there
in the interest OF military safety have
been repeatedly refuted by the imperial
government as untrue.
II (the imperial governmenO again Of
fers energetic protest against these calu-
limitations.
Germany and her allies made an hon
est attempt to terminate the war and
open the road for an understanding
among the belligerents. The imperial
government emphasizes the fact that 1t
merely depended upon the decision
of the adversaries whether the road to-
ward peace should be entered upon or
not
The hostile governments have declined
to accept this road. Upon them falls the
full responsibility for the continuation of
bloodshed.
The four CTeutonic) allied powers,
however, shall continue to struggle in
quiet confidence and firm trust upon their
good right until a peace will be gained
which guarantees to their nations their
honor, existence, and liberty of develop
ment. which to all nations OF the Euro
pean continents gives the blessing of CO.
operation in mutual respect and under
equal rights, in common work for the
solution of the great problems of civil
ization."