The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-30
First Authentic Announcement
of German Peace Terms Be
fore Americas Break With
Central Empires

From the time when Chancellor Won
Bethmann-H ollweg first spoke of
peace ] had asked him and others
what the peace terms Of Germany
were I could never get any one TO
state any definite terms OF peace. on
several occasions. when / asked the
chancellor whether GERMANY were
willing 70 withdraw from Belgium,
he always said. Yes, but with guar
antees'
Finally, in January. 1917. when
he was again talking of peace, I said .
What are these peace terms TO which
you refer continually? VIII YOU al
low me TO ask a few questions as TO
the specific terms of peace
First. Are the Germans willing
to withdraw from Belgium 30
The chancellor answered, Yes. but
with guarantees"
I said what are these guaran-
tees?"
He renlled. I'VE must. possibly,
have the forts Of Tdege and Namur
we must have other forts and gar
risons throughout Beirium We must
have possession OF the railroad lines
We must have possession 0f the ports
and other mear:s of communication.
Tho BeFgians Will not ne allowed 10
maintain an army. but we must he
allowed TO retain a large army in
Belgium. We must have the com
mercial control Of Belgium
said. Il 10 not see that YOU have
LETT much for the Belgians EXCEPT
ing that King Albert will have the
right to reside In Brussels with an
honor guard"
The chancellor answered. I'VE can
rot allow Belgium TO re an outpost Of
England" (Vorwerk).
II do not suppose the English. on
outpost OF Germanv" I returned .
Especially as Won T8rpitz has said
that the coast % Flanders should he
retained IN order TO make war on
England and America then ask
ed, How about Northern France 90
we are willing to leave nnthern
France" the chancellor responded
but there must be = reetifcation OF
the frontier"
How about the eastern frontier ?"
7 asked.
We must have \ verv substantial
recttAeation IF our frontier
How about Rumania?'
we shall leave Bulgaria 10 deal
with Rumansa
How about Serbia"
"A very small Serbia may na al
lowed to exist. but that is a aue7-
tion for Austria Austria must Re
and we must have indemnites from all
countries. and all our ships and COLO
nfes hack" 7e
OF course. '.reetincasion OF the FROM
tier" lis a polite term for "annexa-
ton
PRESIDENT WILSON'S JANUARY
ADDRESS TO THE SENATE
On January 20. 1917. our. president
addressed the American senate. and
in his address he referred To his note
of December Is sent TO all belltgerent
governments. He stated. referring -
the reply OF the entente powers 10
his peace note OF December IS. We
are that much nearer to the definite
discussion of the peace which shall
end the present war
In his address. also, referring 10
the answers received from the heiIi-
gerentr 70 his pea &C note Of Decem-
Der IS the president said;
The central powers unite in
r-pi\ which stated merely that
they were ready - meet their
antagonists In conference to dis
cuss terms Of peace, The en-
tente powers have replied much
more definitely and have stated
in general terms. indeed hut with
sufficient deflnfteness TO imply de-
tails. the arrangements. guaran-
tees and acts OF arbitration which
they deem to be Indispensable
conditions OF a satisfactory set
Element We are that much
nearer a definite discussion Of
the peace which shall end the
present war.
The president further. referred to
world concert TO guarantee peace In
the future. and he said: