The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-23
TEUTONS INVITE
RUSSIAN PEACE
German Majority Socialists
Now at Work on MuscO-
vite Radicals.

COPENHAGEN, via London, April &C.
Saturdays Berlin Vorwaerts contains
detailed report Of the speeches at the
big Socialist conference. showing plainly
that the German majority Socialists un-
der the leadership OF Philipp Scheide-
mann, despite all denials, are working
for separate peace with Russia IL a
general peace is not obtainable.
The resolutions adopted by the confer
ence were framed with the definite in
tent Of encouraging the Russian radicals
of the Council Of Workmen's and
Soldiers Deputies in a peace programme.
Herr Scheidemann and the other leaders
stating openly that sections from the
Russian councils appeal had been in
serted textually m the German rcsoiu-
tions to emphasize the fact that these
were an answer to the appeal.
Naturally" said Herr Scheidemann,
"our efforts are directed toward gem
eral peace. but II they are unsuccessful
tLen. naturally. we are for separate
peace
Speaker after speaker expressed the
desirability Of establishing a working
agreement with the Council of Work
mems and Soldiers Deputies for joint
effort against recalcitrant governments
German Factions TO Reunite.
A national convention of the German
Socialist party probably will meet in the
near future. The civil war between the
factions Of the party necessltate a con
vention. The party still contains radical
elements in sympathy with the seeding
group under Herr I-edebour and Or. Karl
Liebknecht and for a return TO the ante
bellum policy Of refusal OF military
credits.
The speeches at the conference. which
repeatedly touched on the strike move
| ment in Berlin and elsewhere. brought
out the interesting fact that militariza-
| tion of the munitions industry was being
| contemplated in Germany. Several of
/ the speakers argued that "a continuance
/ of the strike would merely further the
| movement to put munitions workers in
I private factories under military control,
as in the army establishments.
! Insistence on the immediate introduce
! ton Of internal reforms was expressed
on all hands. Ii was declared unless the
| Socialists insisted upon the fulflment
| OF the Emperor's promises now without
| awaiting the end of the war they would
| probably find themselves again cheated
| of any genuine reform.
! U-Boat Warfare Was Opposed.
! Friedrich Ebert. one of the Socialist
! leaders of the Reichstag. discussed the
! party split and appealed to the Hugo
Haase, Spartaous and Victor Adler Aus
trian groups to define their standpoints
| on the defence OF tho country. 1--WE have
placed the responsibility for unrestricted
submarine warfare on its promoters, -
said Herr Ebert "Nonn of lis favored
II, except one
Herr Braun, n member Of the Prusslan
Diet. said the Socialist party in no wise
stood for Prussian miiltarism. although
just now the country could be defended
only by militaris.n.
Herren Bielefeld and Merfeld of Col
ogne and other speakers condemned the
wild strike" Herr Merfeld said the
Government must Immediately disclose
it's peace terms. Committeeman Her
mann Muller said:
There is no majority for a republi,
/ In Germany to-day. and waiting for |,
only serves to prolong the war