The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-01

(Contlnued on Page Ten.)
lively to answer the socalled peace pro-
posal.
First Of all. the allies protest against
the enemy's assertion attempting to
| throw on the allies responsibility for
the war, and also to protest against
the proclamation of. victory by the
central powers. Both these assertions
are untrue.
For thirty months the allies have
sustained the war which they did
their utmost to prevent. They have
shown by their acts their attachment
for peace. This attachment is Just as
strong today as in 1914.
After the violations (by the central
powers) and their engagement in tn,
war, they (the allies) cannot end the
war at Germany's suggestion without
any conditions with which to open
negotiations.
The German proposal is not an offer
or peace. The proposition appears
more like a war maneuver than an
offer of peace.
AS far as the past is concerned, the
Germany note ignores facts dates
and figures showing that Germany
wanted, provoked and declared the
war. .
At The Hague, it was a German
delegation that refused disarmament
proposal
In July. 1914, it was Austria that
declared war on Serbia
The central powers refused all at
tempts to stop the conflict: they re-
fused England's offer for a confer
ence; Frances offer for am interna-
tional commission. and the cars ar
bitration proposal. --
Socalled offers. based upon the
European war map, do, not express
the truth Of the situation, nor the real
strength of the adversaries.
Peace made upon this basis would
be to the advantage OF the aggressors,
who. hoped to attain their aim in two
months.
They have found, after two years,
that they never will attain their aim.
For the future, Germany does not
bespeak the necessary guarantees. The
ruins provoked by the war and all the
acts (of the central powers) against
the rights of men, both adversarieS
and neutrals, call for separations.
The proposal of the central powers
is an attempt to start an evolution
which would finally end in German
made peace. 1t has been made in order
to disturb people OF the allied coun-
tries and to reaff1rrh German public
opinion. SO gravely hurt by losses,
economical shortage and crushed by
the. supreme effort demanded from
everyone.
The proposal was made in order to
seek to intimidate neutrals. who know
where the responsibilities lay, and
who. foreseeing Germany's aim. will
not abandon the defense OF human
liberties.
The (German) note attempts to
make legitimate in the eyes of the
world the future crimes of submarine
warfare, deportations and obligatory
service, against our own countrymen,
and the violations of neutrality.
1t Is in full consciousness Of the
gravity and also of the necessity of the
hour that the allied governments,
closely united in perfect accord, and
their peoples refuse to discuss the pro-
posal, which is not sincere and Is un-
important. .t
The allies once more affirm that
peace is impossible until there is rep
aration for the violated liberties and
rights and recognition OF the principle
of nationality and free existence for
small countries.
Peace is impossible until rule is
made that definitely will suppress the
causes Of the war now menacing the
nations and until efflcacious guaran-
tees are given for the security Of the
world.
Here follows a formal protest by
Belgium against acts of Germany
against the Belgian people, with an
assurance from the Belgian king and
his country that they do not desire any
other peace than one based on 1egitim-
ate reparations and guarantees for the
future.