Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-01-04


f i'c"ur IL 40 70 arbitration. AMI Russia
, and nus tvit- hungary came tu AN I'm
! d"i standing on tho cye % tho conflict.
But to all these Efforts Germany gave
neither answer nor effect
"8clglurn was invaded uy all en-
pire which had fs1arantced her neu-
/ fraljty and which had the assurance to
proclaim that treaties were scraps OF
paper and that necessity knows no
law
AZ the present moment these sham
offers on The par; of Germany rest on
the war map Of Europe alone which
. represents nothing more than II super
! fetal and passing phase Of the situa-.
! ton and not the real strength OF tho
/ belligerents.
I "A peace concluded .ipon these terms
would he only to the advantage of the
- ggrcssors, who. after Imagining that
they would reach their goal in two
months. discovered after two years that
they coud never attain it.
WHAT THE ALLIES DEMAND.
AS for tho future. the disasters caused
by the German declaration Of war and
! the nnum crablo outraFcs committed by
Germany and her allies against both
bclligerents and reutrals, demand penal
ties reparation and guarantees. Germany
avoids mention Of any of these.
In reality these ovcrtures made by tho
, central powers are nothing moro than u
calculated attempt to influence the future
course of war and to end it by inlpos-
ing a German peace. The object Of these
ovcrtures is to create dissension in pub
lie opinion in the allied countries. But
that public opinion has. in spite Of all
the sacrifices endured by tho allies al
ready gwen its answer with admirable
"a, nj
prctcnsc of the declaration of the enemy
| powers.
, They have tho further object of stiff
fleming public opinion in Germany and in
th" countries allied to heroine and all
severely tried by their losses, worn out
10y oconomic pressure and crushed by the
supreme effort which has been imposed
upon their inha hitants.
WOULD INTIMIDATE NEUTRA1S.
They endcavor. tc deceive and intini-
date public opinion in neutral countries,
whose inhabitants have long sine" made
up their minds Whcr. the initial rcSpon-
sibilities lie and are far too enlightened
to favor the designs III Germany by
abandoning the defense OF human free
dom.
Finally. these ovorturcs attempt to
justify IN advance in the eyes OF the
world new series of crimes-submarine
warfare. deportations. forced labor and
forced enlistment Of the inhabitants
against their own countries and viola
tons of neutrality.
Fully conscious Of the gravity of this
moment, but equally conscious OF its re-
qurcments, the allied governments.
closely united to one another and in per-
feet sympathy with their peoples. refuse
Ia consider a proposal which Is empty and
insinc"rC.
PREPARATIONS Is IMPERATIVE.
"Onco again the allies declare that no
peace is POSSIBLE so long as they have not
secured roparation for violated rights
and liberties the recognition Of the prln-
ciplc of natioualitics and of the free cX-
istcncc Of small states: 50 long a. they
have not brought about settlement cali
culat"d to end once and for all forces
which have constituted perpetual
menace to the nations and to afford the
only effective guarantee for the future
security of the world.
THE CASE or BELGIUM
In conclusion the allied powers think
= necessary To put forward the following
ing considerations which show the special
situation Of Belgium after two and Il half
years Of war: In virtue Of the Internal
tional treaties signed ny five great Euro
I'dU i'iNflE, ~ Nli''l 'IPiUdllN Wis one,
belgium enjoyed, before the war, n spe-
cial status. rendering her territory in
volable and placing her. under the guar
antcee Of the powers. outside all Euro
pean conflicts. She was. however, in spite
Of these treaties, The first to suffer the
aggression Of Germany. For this reason
the Belgian government think II neceS-
sary to define the aims which Belgium has
never ceased to pursue while hghtug
side 10y side with the eutcltc 20" ~. for
rielS and Justice
belgium has always s"r17'rinusi" fall
Gliad thp duties which her neutrality ini-
posed upon her. She has taEen up arms
to defend her Independence and her neu-
,rllity violated hy Germany and 10 show
that she remains faithful 10 Ter iute-ua-
tl"nai obligations.
INJUSTICE ADMITTED
ON the fourth Of August. 1874. In The
Rcichstag. the German chancellor admit
ted that this aggression constituted an
injustic" contrary 10 tho laws of nations
and pledged himself, in IN, nam" Of Ger
many. to repair IT, Eurinr two and a
halt wears ,his injustice has been cruelty
AGGRAVATED b" the proceedings Of tho
occupying forces which have exhausted
the resources of the country, ruined It's
Industries. devastated its towns and vi
lagos and have beer rrsponsihl" for in
Vulnerable niaSsaCr"r, executions and in
pfis.nmcnts.
AT thlS very moment. while Germany
> Is pr"claInlu% N,ace and humanity 10
Tia" Worli, sh" lH Gcportlng belgian citi-
I"ns by thousands and reducing them -
! slavery.
"lIolaiur. nefar, tie wsr asked ror
n",hin, bur to- live IN harmony Win her
pc.GuloH9. Tier l>iug and her govern
D rcnt haN" but one a,nl--the re-cStabliSl-
mont 81 peace and Justice. Put they only
desire peace which would assure to their
I country legitimate rcparation, guarantees
- ard safeguards Cor The future