The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-21

tack.
 army compelled Germany to seize the
 sword There was no choice left to us and what is true of the war itself Is true also of our weapons, particularly
 the submarine. We deny the accusation that the submarine warfare is contrary to international law and violates the rights of humanity.
 England forced this weapon in our hands through an Illegal blockade. Our faint hope that America, at the head of the neutrals, would check English H. legality was vain and the final attempt we made by an honorably intended peace offer to avoid the last extremity failed. MUST GO ON Then Germany had to choose this last measure as a counter measure of self
 defense. Now it also must carry it through for the purpose of shortening the war.
 The submarine war is accomplishing all
 and more tLan all it is expected to. T declare, in fact, that the submarine
 war accomplished in the destruction of
 enemy tonnage what it should. It impairs
 England's economic life and the conduct of the war month to month in grow ing degree so that it will not be possi- ble to oppose the necessity for peace
 much longer. We can look forward to the further labors of the brave submarine with complete confidence The great Anglo-French spring offensive in the west has been shattered by armies which show their unbroken power and superior abi1- | ity.
 Tn the east In consequence of the con- fusion in Russia, the attack by Rus
 sian millions did not materialize and
 there is comparative calm.
 AS TO RUSSIAN DRIVE "Only after false reports and incite-
 ment by Russa's allies had stirred the ] Russian soldiers did the present offensive develop. Its goal was Lemberg and Drohobycz. General Brussloff, with all his enormous sacrifices, has gained only a slight advantage. A half hour ago I re- ceived tEe following telegram from the l field marshall:
 Provoked by the Russian offensive in Galicia strong attack was inaugur- ated there today under the personal lead I
 Germans, supported by the Austro-Hun-
 garian troops, broke through the Rus
 sian positions near Gloczow' General
 Brussiloff's gains, therefore have been
 equalized.
 Greece was forced by violence to en-
 ter the war against our ally. Our com mon front with the brave Bulgarians stands firm.
 ITALY HELD BACK Italy, even through the elecenth Ison- 20 battle against our war-tried Austro- Hungarian brothers. will not be able to attain the goal of it's breach of faith the possession of Trieste.
 We look without serious concern upon t-e optimistic sentiment in the entente countries caused by Americas interven- tion. It is easy to reckon how much ton
 mage Is necessary to transport an army from America to Europe, how much ton mage is required to feed such an army. France and England are scarcely able to feed and supply their own armies without influencing the economic situation still further. After our previous success we shall be able to master this situation also through our fleet, particularly the sub- marines. That is our firm conviction and assurance. We and our allies, therefore, can look forward to any further disap- pointment of military events with calm security.
 PEACE DESIRED "The burning question in our hearts, however, is how much longer the war is to last With this come to a matter which stands in the center of all our interest and all our proceedings today Germany did not desire the War in order to make violent conquests and, therefore, will not continue another day longer merely for the sake of such conquests, if it could obtain an honorable peace"
 | The Germans, he said, wish to conclude peace as combatants who have success
 fully accomplished their purpose and proved themselves invincible. A condi l tion of peace was the inviolability o1
 GerraAny's territory. No parly was possi. | ble with the enemy demanding the ces.
 sion of German soil
 l We must by means of understanding
 and in a spirit of give and take, guaran- tee the continuous existence of the
 German empire upon the continent and
 overseas said the chancellor. In his remarks regarding internal | questions the chancellor said You cannot expect me, as have been in office only five days, to express my views today exhaustively and final ly on the pending questions of internal
 policy It goes without saying that stand upon the ground of the imperial rescript of July Il, concerning the fran chise en Prussia. consider it advantage
 ous and necessary that clesssr touch should
 be established between great parties and the government. I M ready so far
 as this is possible with # ipairing the federal character and constitutional basis Of the empire. to do everything possible to impart to this cooperation more life