Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-02

suggested conference: France pro-
posed an international commission, the
emperor of Russia asked the German
emperor to go to arbitration, and Rus
STA and Austria-Hungary came to an
understanding on the eve of the con-
flict. But to all these efforts Germany
gave neither answer nor effect.
Belgium was invaded by an empire
which had gained her neutrality and
which had the assurance to proclaim
that treaties were scraps of paper,
and that necessity knows no laws
"At the present moment these sham
the war map of Europe alone, which
represents nothing more than super
fetal and passing phase of the situa-
ton and not the real strength of the
belligerents. A peace concluded upon
these terms would be only to the ad-
vantage of the aggressors, who after
imagining that they would reach their
goal in two months, discovered after
two years that they could never at
tain it.
Want Future Defense.
Gas for the future, the disasters
caused by the German declaration OF
war and the innumerable outrages
committed by Germany and her allies
against both belligerents and neutrals,
demand penalties, reparation and guar
antees. Germany avoids mention OF
any of these.
'In reality these overtures made by
the central powers are nothing more
than a calculated attempt to influence
the future course of war and to end
it by imposing a German peace. The
object of these overtures is to create
dissension in public opinion IN the al
lied countries. But that public opin-
ion has, in spite of all the sacrifices en-
dured by the allies, already given it's
answer with admirable firmness and
has denounced the empty pretense OF
the declaration of the enemy powers.
For Home Consumption.
They have the further object OF
stiffening public opinion in Germany
and in countries allied to her - one
and all severely by their losses, worn
out by economic pressure and crush
ed by the supreme effort which has
been imposed upon their inhabitants.
They endeavor to deceive and in
timidate public opinion in neutral
countries whose inhabitants have long
since made up their minds where the
initial responsibilities lie and are far
too enlightened to favor the designs of
Germany by abandoning the defenses
of human freedom.
Finally these overtures attempt to
justify in advance in the eyes of the
world a new series of crimes - sub
marine warfare, deportations, forced
labor and forced enlistment of the in
habitants against their own countries
and violations of neutrality.
Refuse Proposals.
Fully conscious of the gravity or
this moment, but equally conscious OF
their requirements, the allied govern
ments, closely united to one another
and in perfect sympathy with their
peoples, refuse to consider proposal
which is empty and insincere.
"Once again the allies declare that
no peace is possible so long as they
have not secured reparation for vio-
lated rights and liberties, the recog-
milton of the principle of nationalities
states; so long as they have not
to end once and for all forces which
have constituted perpetual me1ace to
the nations and to afford the akaly eff
fective guarantee for the future secur-
ity of the world.
Beiqium's Status.
TN conclusion the allied powers
think it necessary to put forward the
following considerations which show
the special situation of Belgium after
two and half years of war. In vir-
tue of the international treaties signed
by five great European powers, Of
whom Germany was one. Belgium en-
joyed before the war special status.
rendering her territory inviolable and
placing her, under the guarantee Of the
powers, outside all European conflicts.
She was, however, in spite of these
treaties, the first to suffer the aggres-
sion of Germany. For this reason the
Belgian government thinks it neces-
sary to define the aims which Belgium
has never ceased to pursue while
fighting side by side with the entente
powers for right and justice.
Belgium has always scrrpulously
fulfilled the duties which her neutral
ity imposed upon her. She has taken
up arms to defend her independence
and her neutrality violated by Ger.
many and to show that she remains
faithful to her international obliga-
tons.
'.On the fourth of August, 1914. in
the reichstag, the German chancellor
admitted that this aggression consti
tuted an injustice contrary to the laws
of nations and pledged himself in the
name of Germany to repair it. During
two and half years this injustice has
been cruelty aggravated by the pro-
ceedings of the occupying forces,
which have exhausted the resources
of the country. ruined its industries
devastated it's towns and villages and
have been responsible for innumerable
massacres, executions and imprison,
ments.
AT this very moment. while Ger
many is proclaiming peace and human
itv to the world. she is deporting Bel
gians citizens by thousands and reduc
| ing them to slavery.
Belgium before the war asked fol
nothing but to live in harmony with
her neighbors. Her king and her gov
eminent have but one aim-the re
| ,,f