The weekly soliphone., 1917-05-17
GERMANY OFFERS
 PEACE TO RUSSIA
Imperial Chancellor Declines to Dis- cuss General Terms, But
 Posses Bouquets.

 break of the war, the imperial Ger man chancellor today bluntly re- fused to enter into a discussion of Germany's peace aims as demanded in interpolation by the conserva- tiyes and socialists. Dr. von Beth mann-Hollweg asserted that these called for the governments specific peace program, the announcement of which would at the present time not only be premature, but which it would be difficult to formulate, and also of no practical service to the nation in the present situation.
 While appreciating the passionate desire of all classes to know the governments views, the chancellor plainly declared that he would not permit himself to be swayed by pressure from any source, and that praty or clique. The best interests of the nation, he believed, demand ed that the reticence he had im- posed on himself in the face of con- tinuous clamor since December, 1915, be observed by him until the moment was ripe. He was sure that such a course would be in- dorsed by the nation at large, which continued to rally around it's emperor and would also meet the views of the majority of the mem bers of the reichstag.
 The chancellor then briefly re- viewed the present military situa- tion and Germany's relations to the Ineutrals, in the course of which he warmly praised the attitude by Spain.
 '"These interpellations demand from me a definite statement, on the question of our war aims" said the chancellor. "To make such a statement at the present moment would not serve the country's in- terests. l must, therefore, decline to make it.
 "Since the winter of 1914-15 have been pressed now from one side, now from the other publicly to state our war aims, if possible, with details. Every day they were demanded from me. To force me to speak, an attempt was made to construe my silence regarding the program of the war aims of indi- vidual parties as an agreement. Against that I must again resolute- ly protest.
 "On giving liberty for the free discussion of war aims l had it ex- pressly declared that the govern ment could not and would not par tiGipate in the conflict of views. It also protested against any positive conclusions whatever regarding the governments attitude being drawn from the governments silence.
 q now repeat this protest in the most conclusive form. What l was ever able to say about our war aims said here in the reichstag publicly. They were general principles they could not be more-but they were clear enough to exclude identifica- tion such as was attempted with other programs. These fundamen- tai lines have been adhered to up today They found further solemn expression in the peace offer made conjointly with our allies of De- cember 12, 1916.
 DENIES CLASH WITH AUSTRIA
 "The supposition, which has re- cently arisen, that some differences question, between us and our allies belongs to the realm of fable. expressly affirm this now with cer- tainty l am at the same time also expressing the conviction that the leading statesmen of the powers which are our allies are with us.
 "I thoroughly and fully under stand the passionate interest of the people in the war aims and peace conditions. I understand the call for clearness which today is ad- dressed to me from the right and left. But in the discussion of our war aims the only guiding line for me is the early and satisfactory conclusion of the war. Beyond that 1 cannot do or say anything.
 of the general situation forces me to reserve, as is the case now, shall keep this reserve, and no pressure either from Herr Scheide- mann or Herr ROesicke will force me from my path, l shall not al low myself to be led astray by ut terances with which Scheidemann at a time when drumfire sounds on the Aisne and at Arras, believed he could spread among the people the possibility of revolution. The German people will be with me in condemning such utterances, and