The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-12

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 Prus-
sian provinces, the humiliation and
diminution Of the Austro- Hungarian
monarchy, the partition Of Turkey and
the humiliation of Bulgaria.
in the face of such war aims. the
demand for restitution, reparation and
guarantees in the mouth of our ad-
versaries produces a surprising effect.
Our adversaries call the proposal
of our four allied (Teutonic) powers a
war maneuver. Germany and her al
lies must protest in the most energetic
fashion against such a characterize
ton of their motives which were
suaded that a peace which was just
and acceptable to all the belligerents
was possible, that it could be brought
about by an immediate, spoken ex-
change of views, and that, therefore,
the responsibility Of further blood
shed could not be taken.
Their readiness was affirmed with
out reservation to make known their
peace conditions when negotiations
were entered into, which refutes ev-
cry doubt as to their sincerity.
Our adversaries, who had it in theis
hands to examine the proposition as
to its contents, neither attempted an
examination or made counter propos-
ais. Instead they declared that peace
was impossible as long as the re-es
adjustment OF violated rights and lib
critics, the recognition of the princi-
pal of the nationalities and the free
existence of small states were not
guaranteed.
The sincerity, which our adversary
denies to the proposals Of the four
allied powers, will 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
northern Africa by England, France
and Italy the suppression OF Russian
alien nations and also the violation
of Greece, which is without precedent
in history.
Against the pretended violations of
the laws Of nations by the four allies
(Teutonic), these powers are not en-
titled to complain, which from the be-
ginning OF the war trampled on justice
and tore to pieces the treaties upon
which 1t is built. England already
during the first weeks of the war re-
pudiated the London Declaration, the
content of which had been recognized
by it's own delegates as a valid law
of nations. and in the further course
of the war violated in the most severe
fashion also the Paris Declaration; so
that, by her arbitrary measures for
warfare, a condition of lawlessness
has been created.
Would "Starve" Germany.
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
than with the commands of human
ity.
"Likewose, contrary to the laws of
nations, and incompatible with the US
ages OF civilization, are the use of
coIored 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-
tinent. The barbarous treatment of
prisoners, especially in Africa and
Russia, and the deportation Of the
civilian population from eastern Prus-
STA, Alsace-Lorraine, Galicia and Bu-
kowina, are further proof Of how our
adversaries point out the special sit
uation Of Belgium. The imperial gov
eminent is unable to acknowledge that