The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-12
GERMANY GIVES
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their motives. which were explained
frankly, are adulterated in this man
ner. They tthe Teutonic allies) were
! convinced that a peace which would
be just and acceptable to all bellig
erents was possible: that it could be
brought about by an immediate spoken
exchange of views. and that, there
fore, the responsibility OF further
/ bloodshed could not be assumed.
/ without reservation, their readi-
ness was affirmed to make known
their peace conditions at the entrance
into negotiations. which refutes every
doubt as To their sincerity.
our adversaries who had 1t in
their hands TO examine our proposition
as to its contents, never attempted an
examination nor made counterpart
posals.
INSTEAD, they declare that peace Is
impossible az long as the re-estab-
lishment of violated rights and iiber-
ties, the recognition OF the principle
OF nationalities and the free existence
of small states arc not guaranteed
Quotes Entcntes Aiicge cd Crimes.
The sincerity which the adversary
denies to the proposals of the four
/ (Teutonic) allied powers will not be
conceded by the world to these de-
mands If the world holds before its
eyes the fate of the Irish people. the
destruction of liberty and independ-
ence OF the Boer republics. the subiu-
cation of Northern Africa by England
France and Italy the suppression of
the Russian alien nations ana also
the violation of Greece, which is with
out precedent in history
Also. against the alleged viola
ttons of the laws of nations. by the
, four tTeutonic allies). these powers
are not entitled to complain, since
they from the beginning of the war
trampled upon justice and tore to
pieces the treaties upon which it is
built,
England during the first weeks OF
the war repudiated the Declaration of
: London, the s1pulations of which had
been recognized by her own delegates
rs forming a valid law of nations and
in the further course of the war she
violated most severely also the Dec
laration of Paris. so that by her arbi-
trary measures of warfare on the sea
a condition of lawlessness was Gre
ated.
.... \ War of starvation.
The war of starvation against Ger
many and the pressure exercised in
highlands Interests against neutrals
, are no less scandalously conflicting
with the rules of the laws of nations
! than they are with the commands of
humanity
Likewise contrary to the laws OF
nations, and Incompatible with the
principles of civilization. is the use of
colored troops in Europe and the ex-
tension of the war into Africa. which
was done by a breach of existing
treaties and which undermines the
prestige of the white race on this
continent.
The barbarous treatment of pris-
oners, especially in Africa and Rus
STA the deportation of the civilian
population from East Prussia and AL
sace-Lorraine and from Galicia and
the Bukowina are further PROOF of
how our adversaries respect justice
and civilization
Defends Belgian Acts.
AT the end of their note of De-
cember 80, our adversaries point out
the special situation Of Belgium.
The imperial government is un-
able to acknowledge that the Belgian
government always observed the du-
ties which were enjoined upon 1t by
the status of neutrality.
2 Already. before the war. Belgium.
under England's influence, sought
support In a military respect from
England and France and thus her
self violated the spirit with which
Sut Hetu 10 iSs 'hdCPSh-
deucc and neutrality.
Twice the imperial government
declared to the Belgian government
| that il did not come as an enemy to
Belgium, and asked 1t to spare to
| that country the terrors OF war.
In this event, the imperial gov
eminent offered to guarantee, to the
fullest extent the integrity and in
/ dependence of the kingdom and to
compensate il for all damages which
/ might be caused by the passage OF
German troops
! 1T is known that the Royal Brit
ish government In 1887 was resolved
not to oppose the use of the right OF
way, through Belgium under those
conditions.
I ''rhe Belgian government declined
the repeated offer of the imperial
government Upon it tthe Belgian
government). and those powers who
instigated it TO this suicide falls the
responsibility for the fate which be-
fell Belgium.
"The accusation about German
warfare la Belgium and the measures
taken there In the interest OF military
by the imperial government as I'M
p true,
at uhe imperial government)
again offers energetic protest against
|. these examinations.
Made Honest Attempt.
Germany and her allies made an
honest attempt TO terminate the war
and open the road for an understand
Ing among the belligerents. The i'm
periai government ascertains leme