The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-05-31
GERMAN SOCIALIST LEADER SAYS
HIS COUNTRY WILL HANG ON
TO FRENCH SOIL.
MAKES EVAS|VE TALK
Declares Teutons VIII BE in Favor of
Restoration" of Belgium, but What
He Means by Such Term He Does
Not Make Clear-Promises to Poland.
Copenhagen, via London, May 81

Lavish promises of some of the outside
Intermediates in the peace movement
that the German socialists and the Ger
man government, in order to arrange
peace, would be ready to negotiate a
settlement Of the Alsace- Lorraine ques-
tion under the guise of frontier regula,
tons have no basis in fact, according
to statement made in the Associated
Press by DIR. Eduard David one of the
most prominent of the German socialist
delegates TO the Stockholm conference.
DIR. David was emphatic in declaring
that no German party and no German
government could or would be found
which would consent to the alienation
OF territory which was regarded as a
fixed part Of the German empire.
Neither the German government nor
the German socialists are willing to
surrender Alsace-Lorraine he said.
Promises Restoration" Of Belgium.
In further explanation of the pro-
gram, with which the German majority
socialists are going to Stockholm, DIR.
David said that II included the "restor.
alton" Of Belgium, but his language left
II uncertain as to whether he meant
financial aid toward restoring the des.
olated country to its pre-war condition,
or returning II TO It's people.
AS far as Russian Poland is concern.
ed, socialists advocate a plebescite to
determine whether the population
wishes the establishment OF a kingdom
under Austro-German auspices or align
ment with Russia, either as a part of
that county or as a Polish state with
close relations to its great eastern neigh.
Dor.
The program of the German majority
socialist delegates to the Stockholm con.
ference evidently from the statements
OF DIR. David. carries no endorsement by
the German government. DR.. David
clearly intimated that the envoys have
no definite pledges or authorizations
from the administration at Berlin.
Hope for Government Cooperation.
The hopes OF the delegates that the
German government ultimately will be
found amenable to the majority social
list program Of peace without annexa-
tions or indemnities. and partly upon
the indefinite statements Of that master
phrase maker. Chancellor Won Beth.
mann-Hollweg. like his declaration that
the government is ready to conclude
a peace (which win leave no thorns to
rankle."
II the conferences prove abortivey DIR.
David declares the fact remains that
Germany has perfected its organization
so as to live on what II can raise and
II will continue the struggle without
weakening.
In answer to a question regarding the
present German attitude toward Ameri.
ca, the socialist leader said that there
was no one in Germany who did not
regret the break with the United States
and that II was the general hope that
the war would be concluded before Am
erica's participation In the conflict
could become actual.
Reform Movement.
Questioned as TO the fate OF the re.
form movement, DIR. David asserted
that reform was to come. but he did
not specify as to whether the change
would be effected during or after the
war