Evening star., 1917-01-12
In Note to NeutraIs, Germany
Insists She Made Honest
Effort to End War.
SAYS FORM OF ENTENTE
REPLY EXCLUDES ANSWER
Willing to Leave History Judge
Which Side Was Aggressor
in World Struggle.

|
12.-Germanv has handed neutral
governments note concerning
the reply Of the entente to the
German peace proposals, the
jOverseas News Agency an
nounces.
It is first stated, says the news
agency announcement, that the
German government has received
the reply of the entente to the
note of December IL, containing
a proposition to enter at once into
peace negotiations. The note
then continues:
"Our adversaries declined this
proposition, giving as the reason
that it is a proposition without
sincerity and without importance.
The form in which they clothe
their communication excludes an
answer to them, but the imperial
government considers it impor-
tant to point out to the govern
ments of neutral powers its opin-
ion regarding the situation.
Leaves Responsibility to History.
| "The central powers have no reason
| TO enter into any discussion regarding
/, the origin of the world war. History
will judge upon whom the immense
guilt of the war shall fall, history's 8
verdict will as little pass over the en-
circling policy of England. the revenge
full policy of France and the endeavor
of Russia to gain constantinople as
over the instigation Of the Serbian
assassination in Sarayevo and the COM
plete mobilization of Russia, which
meant war against Germany.
| Germany and her allies, who had
to take up arms for defense of their
| liberty and their existence. consider
this, their aim of the war. as obtained.
| ION the other hand, the hostile
| powers always went further away from
| the realization Of their plans which,
according to the declarations of their
responsible statesmen. were. among
| others, directed toward the conquest OF
| Alsace Lorraine and several Russian
provinces, the humiliation and diminu-
| tion of the Austro-Hungarian mon
archy, the partition of Turkey and the
mutilation of Bulgaria.
Surprised by Reparation Demand.
'In the face of such war aims. the
demand for restitution, reoaration and
guarantees in the mouth of our ad-
versaries produces a surprising effect.
Our adversaries call the proposal of
the four allied (Teutonic) powers a war
maneuver. Germany and her allies
must protest in the most energetic
fashion against such a characterization
of their motives which were frankly
explained. They were persuaded that
a peace which was just ard acceptable
to all the belligerents was possible
that 1t could be brought about by an
immediate, spoken exchange OF views
and that, therefore, the responsibility
for further bloodshed could not be
taken.
out reservation to make known their
peace conditions when negotiations
were entered into, which refutes every
doubt az to their sincerity.
| ''oUT aCVeFSdTleS, VINO ndQ thelr
hands to examine the proposition as to
Its contents, neither attempted an ex-
animation nor made counter proposals
Instead, they declared that peace was
impossible so long as the re-establish
ment of violated rights and liberties,
| the recognition of the principle Of ma
tionalities and the free existence of
small states were not guaranteed.
Leaves Case to World Opinion.
The sincerity which our adversary
| denies to the proposals of the four al
lied powers VIII not be conceded by
| the world to these demands if the
world holds before its eyes the fate
of the Irish people. the destruction of
the liberty and independence of the
Boer republic, the subjugation OF
northern Africa by England. France
and Italy. the suppression of Rus
sian alien nations. and also the vio-
lation of Greece, which is without prec-
edent in history.
| Against the pretended violations of
| the laws of nations by the four allies
| (Teutonic), those powers are not en-
titled to complain. which from the be-
ginning Of the war trampled on jus
| ticc and tore to pieces the treaties
upon which 1t Is built. England al
ready during the first weeks of the
| war repudiated the London declaration,
| the content Of which had been recog-
nized by it's own delegates as valid
| law of nations, and in the further
| course of the war violated in the most
severe fashion also the Paris declara-
| ton, so that by her arbitrary measures
for warfare a condition Of 1aw1essness
has been created.
Atrocities Are Charged.
'"The war of starvation against Ger
| many and the pressure exercised in
England's interest against neutrals are
not less scandalously conflicting with
the rules of the laws of nations as with
the commands of humanity.
Likewise. contrary to the laws Of
nations, and incompatible with the
usaees Of civilization, are the use Of
| colored troops in Europe and the ex-
tension of the war into Africa, which
was done by breach of existing
| treaties and which undermines the
prestige of the white race on that con-
1 tinent The barbarous treatment of
prisoners, especially in Africa and
| Russia, and the deportation of the
| civilized population from eastern Prus-
sia. Alsace Lorraine. Galicia and Buko-
wilma are further proof OF how our ad-
yersaries point out the special situa-
tion Of Belgium. The imperial govern
| ment is unable to acknowledge that
the Belgian government has always
/ observed the duties which were en-
/ Joined upon her by her neutrality. AL