The midland journal., 1917-01-05

committed by Germany and her allies
against both belligerents and neutrals,
demand penalties, reparation and
guarantees. Germany avoids mention
of any of these.
To Create pissension.
I'm reality these overtures made By
the Central Powers are nothing more
than a calculated attempt to infiu-
ence the future course Of war and to
end it by opposing German peace.
The object of these overtures is to
create dissension in public opinion in
the Allied countries. But that public
opinion has, in spite Of all the sacri-
fices endured by the Allies, already
given it's answer with admirable firm-
ness and has denounced the empty
pretense of the declaration of the
enemy powers. ~r
"They have the further object Of
stiffening public opinion in Germany
and in the countries allied to her
one and all severely tried by their
losses, worn out by economic pres
sure and crushed by the supreme ef-
fort which has been imposed upon
their inhabitants.
"They endeayor to deceive and in
timidate public opinion in neutral
countries, whose inhabitants have
long since made up their minds where
the initial responsibilities lie and are
far too enlightened to favor the de-
signs Of Germany by abandoning the
defense of human freedom.
To Justify Crimes.
Finally, these overtures attempt to
justify in advance in the eyes of the
world new series Of crinies-sub-
marine warfare, Geportations, forced
labor and forced enlistment of the in
habitants against their own countries
and violations of neutrality"
Fully conscious CT the gravity of
this moment, but equally conscious Of
its requirements, the allied govern
ments, closely united to one another
and in perfect sympathy with their
peoples, refuse to consider proposal
which is empty and insincere.
"Once again the allies declare that
no peace is possible so long as they
have not secured reparation for VIC
lated rights and liberties, the recogni-
ton Of the principle Of nationalities
and of the free existence Of small
states; so long as they have not
brought about a settlement calcu-
lated to end once and for all forces
which have constituted a perpetual
menace to the nations and to afford
the only effective guarantee for the
future security Of the world.
"In conclusion the Allied Powers
think it necessary to put forward the
following considerations, which show
the special situation of Belgium after
two and half years Of war. In virtue
of the international treaties signed
by five great European powers, OF
whom Germany was one, Belgium en-
joyed before the war special status,
rendering her territory inviolable and
placing her, under the guarantee OF
the powers, outside all European con-
fiicts. She was, however, in spite OF
these treaties, the first to suffer the
aggression of Germany. For this rea-
necessary to define the aims which
Belgium has never ceased to pursue
while fighting side by side with the
Entente Powers for right and justice.
Belgium has always scrupulously
fulfilled the duties which her neutral
| ity imposed upon her. She has taken
up arms to defend her independence
and her neutrality violated by Ger
many and to show that she remains
faithful to her international obliga-
tions.
ION the 4th of ugust, 1914, in the
Reichstag the German Chancellor ad-
mitted that this aggression consti-
tuted an injustice contrary to the laws
Of nations and pledged himself in the
name of Germany to repair it. Dur
ing two and half years this injus-
tice has been cruelty aggravated by
the proceedings of the occupying
forces, which have exhausted the re-
sources of the country ruined its in
dustries. devastated its towns and viii
lagos and have been responsible for
innumerable massacres, executions
and imprisonments.
"At this very moment, while Ger
many is proclaiming peace and hui
manity to the world, she is deporting
Belgian citizens by thousands and re-
ducing them to slavery.
Belgium before the war asked for
| nothing but to live in harmony with
| her neighbors. Her king and her gov
ernment have but one aim-the re-
establishment of peace and justice.
But they only desire peace which
would assure to their country legiti-
mate reparation, guarantees and safe
o,,o,.dc fn,. +ha Future"