Arizona republican., 1917-01-12

liberty and Independence OF the Boer
republic, the subjugation of northern
Africa by England France and Italy,
the suppression of Russian alien ma =
lions and also the violation of Greece,
which is without precedent in history,
Against the pretended violations of
the laws of nations by the Teutons,
those covers are not entitled to COM
plain, which from the beginning of the
war trampled on justice and tore to
pieces the treaties upon which it is
built England already during the first
weeks of the war repudiated the Lon
don declaration, the contents of which
had been recooniZed by its own dele
gates 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 ar
hitrary measures for warfare. state
of laWlesness has been created
The war of starvation against Ger
many and the pressure exercised IN
Engand's interest against neutrals are
not less scandalously conflicting with
the rules of the laws OF nations as
with the commands of humanity
Likewise, contrary to the laws OF
nations and Incompatible withs the
Isages of civilization, are 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 that
continent The barbarous treatment
of prisoners. especially in Africa and
Russia, and the deportation OF the
civilian population fro meastern Prus-
STA, Alsace- Lorraine, Galicia and
Bukowina. are further proof of how
our adVersaries point out TIE special
situation of Belgium. The imperioi
government is unable TO acknowledge
that the Belgium government has al
ways observed duties which were en-
Joined upon her by her neutrality
Already before the war, Belgium, I'M
der England's influence. sought sup
port in military fashion from Eng
lard and France and thus herself vio-
lated the spirit (of the treaty. which
she had to guarantee her independence
ana neutrality.
'Twiye the imperial government de-
clared to the Belgian government that
Il did not come as an enemy TO Bel-
GUM ana asked II 10 it to spare the
county the terrors of war Germany
offered to guarantee the integrity and
independence Of the kingdom To the
full extent aad compensate for ali
damages which might be caused bv
he passage OF the German troops. II
IS known that the royal British gov
arnment in 1887 was resolved not TO
impose the use OF the right of way
though Belgium under those condi-
lions.
The Belgian government declined
he repeated offer Of the impe rial gov
rnment Upon her and those powers
which instgated her to this attitude
a!ls the responsibility lor the fate
which befell Belgium.
The accusations about the Germa-
| warfare in belgium and the measures
AIKEN there "a he interest Of military
| afety have been repeatedly refutd hs
| he impeial government as untrue
| i-Inany again offers energetic pro-
| est against these calumnies.
| 'Germany and her allies have made
n HONEST attempt to terminate the
var and open the road for an under.
! landing among the belligerents. TIL,
! imperial government asserts the fac
nat II merely depended upon the de.
| lslon OF our adversaries whether th'
Dad towards peace should be entered
! u1n or not The hostile government
| declined 20 accept this road Upor
| HON falls the sull responsibility FOL
he continuation Of the bloodshed
| Our allied powers. however. shall
qntinue the struggle In quiet con.
| idcnre and with firm trust in thei
| iSht until peace is gained Whicl
uaiantecs 10 ~ nations honor
"a which b. al the nations Of tn,
european continent gAee the bless
| rg 70 cooperate IN mutual respec
nd under equal rights together 10
e solution " the great problems o
| Nilization.r