The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-16
HollMea Before Relchstau.

Berlin, Via London, May l5.-ln ono
OF the most vigorous and plain spoken
speeches he has Vet made before the
reichStag since the outbreak Of tho
war, the imperial German chancellor
today hlnntly refused To enter into 4
discussion of I;ermany's peace aims
as demanded in interpretations by tho
conservatives and Socialists. DIR. Won
Bcthmann llollWeg 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 1t would
be difficult to formulate and also Of no
practical service to the nation in tho
present situation.
While appreCiating the passionate de-
sire of all classes To know the govern
ments views. the chancellor plainly
declared that he would not permit him
self to be sWayed by pressure from any
source and that he WAS not under tho
spell Of any party or clique. The best
interests of the nation, he believed, de-
manded that the reticence he had im-
posed on himself in the face of con-
tnuous clamor since December, 1918,
should be observed 10y him until the
such a course would be endorsed by
the nation at large, which continued
to rally around it's emperor and would
also meet the views Of Il majority III
the rcichstag.
Declines information.
These interpretations demand from
me II definite statement on the aues-
ton of our war aims" said the chan
ceilor. TO make such a statement 1t
the present monent, would not serve
the countfN's interests. | must there
fore decline to make il.
Since the winter Of 19li-l5, l. have
been pressed, now from one side, now
from the other. publically to state oae
war aims, if possible with details. To
force me to speak, an attempt Vas
made to construe my silence regarding
the program of the war aims of indi-
dldual parties as agreement. Against
that | must again resolutely protest.
"bn giving liberty for the free dis
cusslon of war aims | had it expressly
declared that the government could
not and would not participate in the
conflict Of views. ! also protested
against any positive conclusions, what
ever, regarding the movements atti-
tndc being drawn from the soveln-
monts silence.
Il now repeat this protest in the
most conclusive form. What ! Was ever
able IT, say about our war aims | say
here in the rcichstag publically. They
were general principles-they could not
be morc--but they were clear enough
to exclude identification, such as was
attempted with other programs. These
| fundamental lines have been adhered
| to up to today. They found further
| solemn expression IN the peace offer
| made coniolntly with our allies on De-
| ccnbcr l.. 1916.
Denies Any Friction.
The supposition which has recently
| arisen, that some differences OF
| opinion have existed on the peace
question between us and our allies be-
| longs to the realm of fable. | express
| lS affirm this now with certainty. {
am at the same time also expressing:
the conviction that the leading states
| men of the powers, which are our al
| lies, are with us.
| Il thoroughly and fully understood
the passionate interest of the people in
the war aims and peace conditions. I
| understood the cal for cleanliness
which today is addressed to me from.
| the right and the left. But in the dis :
cussion of our war aims the only guild
! ing line for me is the early and salts.
factory conclusion of the war. Beyond
| that cannot say anything.
| IF the general situation forces me
to reserve. as is the case now, I shall
! keep this reserve. and no pressnro
| Continued on Page Ten