Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-29
Chancellor Michaelis in
Speech Before Reichstag
Disputes Rumor.
HELD AS PEACE
TRADING STOCK
Free Hands For Eventual Peace
Negotiations and Occupied Territory
10 Its Most Valuable Advantage
German Socialists Question Govern
ment's Peace Policy.

not renounced Belgium and has not
been in Communication with any Of hel
enemies, according to Berlin reports OF
a speech made before the reichstae
| main committee by Chancellor Mich
aelis is Quilted as follows:
"A liberal deputy correctly stated
that the attitude of the imperial gov
ernment as regards it's war aims was
clearly explained in my answer to the
papal note. The peace resolution of
July 10 was expressly mentioned in this
reply and further explanation of it is
unnecessary.
Moreover, I declare the statement
that the imperial government had al
ready communicated with this or that
hostile government and that 1T had In
advance renounced occupied territories,
thus abandoning it's most valuable ad-
vantage in peace negotiations, Is un-
true. I declare the imperial govern :
ment has free hands for eventual peace
negotiations This also refers to Bel
gium."
Attacks Wilson's Note.
The chancellor said Pope Benedict's
peace proposals were inspired by moral
seriousness, pure justice, and neutrali-
ty. which things were lacking In the
feply made by President Wilson to the
pope. q
Were Germany to state her war aims,
the chancellor again asserted it would
prejudice the complex questions to be
discussed at the time of peace negotia-
tions.
The chancellor strongly attacked
President Wilson's reply to the pope,
which, he declared, merely bound the
German people together more firmly.
DR.. Michaelis dwelt upon "the satis-
factory state of our relations with the
neutrals," which could not be disturbed.
he said, even by the unprecedented ex-
ertions of the hostile press.
Says Allies Are Weakenins.
I'VE greatly deplore," he continued,
''the sufferings caused to the ,neutrals
by our enemies economic war, and we
are always prepared to assume share
in the provisioning of the neutra1s.
"The economic and financial difficult
ties of France are fast increasing. Still
more keenly is felt the economic dis
tress in Italy, with its internal political
concomitants.
I'm England also the war is exercis-
ing it's certain, inexorable effect. The
deceptive hope of dissension amongst
us causes the leading British statesmen
to continue to adhere to their war aims,
or at least to proclaim such aims as
are entirely incompatible with political
economical and vital needs Of Ger
many"
Discuss Belgium in Secret.
The question Of Belgium. according
to another dispatch from Berlin, was
discussed by the chancellor and the
committee In secret session.
The constitution committee of the
reichstag by vote Of Is to ~ adopted
yesterday proposal to cancel the con-
cluding sentence Of article Of the i'm
perial constitution which debars mem-
bers of the federal council from stimuli
taneous membership in the reichstag.
The committee adjourned after passing
an order of the day which declared:
'sThe reichstag will cooperate in the
event of the conclusion Of peace
Socialists Question Government.
The majority socialists in the Ger
man reichstag have interpellated the
government concerning official support
of the pam German agitation and the
fatherland party. The socialists also
made an Interpolation on reported gov
ernment interference with the right Of
assembly.
The Interpolation says army officers
are conducting a vigorous pan GerrssS:.
campaign which opposes decisions OF
the reichstag. 1t is also said that this
campaign has been carried into the
schools.