Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-05
Won Bethmann HolIWeg to Act
Within the Coming
Fortnight.
HEATED CONTROVERSY
PREVAILS IN EMPIRE
Annexations Bone of Contention
Restriction of Emperor's Power
Decided Upon. Is Report.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
COPENHAGEN. May :. via London.
4:3J pm palmer declaration OF
Germany's peace conditions Will be
made by Chancellor Won Bethmann
Hollweg within fortnight.
DR.. Karl Helnerich. the vice chan
cellor, announced yesterday that an
answer would be made within this time
by the chancellor to the interpeila-
tions presented by the conservatives
and ne socialists. The chancellors de-
cision to define Germany's aims was
the result of pressure exerted from all
sides.
Controversy Is Raging.
An'' acrimonious controversy is now
raging in Germany between the big
annsxatiorists. the little annexation
lists and the advocates of no anneXa-
tions and indemnities whatever.
The Pan-German League mas sent
circulars to its branches throushout
the country asking them to organize
meetings everywhere in the interests
of German peace" and against tne
socialist peace program. Inc an an
German League and the Army anu
Navy leagues are demanding peace
with indemnities. increased territories
and greater power for Germany
The socialist meetings, on the other
hand, are making and Strengthening
public opinion for a peace with no IN IN
soc; alist leaders obviously are en-
deevoring to sweep the government
and the imperial chancellor into DEC
laration of the German peace AIMS on
similar lines, and which could be USED
at the Stockholm conference.
Chancellor Assailed.
The moderate elements. who favor
taking what can be gotten. are assail-
ing Won Bethmann Hollweg for weak
kneed shrinking from trouble. and de-
mand in resolutions adopted by the
liberal party and in the editorials of
such papers as the Vossische Zeitung
that the chancellor now make clear
and definite statement OF policy as
step toward inner and outer peace.
The pronunciamento OF the imperial
istic ORGANIZATIONS declares that the
socialist proposals are depressing ana
shameful to all patriots Germany, IL
says. needs and must have lndemnities
for her enormous sacrifices and to de-
yelop economic, cultural and social lie
after peace is declared. Germany must
secure better protection Tor It's IRON
tiers, land for settlement and food pro-
duction. the strengthening of its naval
position and the improved condition of
its industries by greater supplies OF
raw materials. This in turn makes
sure and necessary armament for the
defense of the fatherland.
Government appeals for harmony and
restraint also have not availed to keep
the discussion out of the reichstag,
where, in a little curtain raiser TO the
expected great debate, Deputy thinner
mann. national liberal. and Deputy
SchieIe. conservative. have interjected
into the budget discussion a demand
for an indemnity.
Deputy Zimmerman expressed salts
faction over the news of Americas
financial help to the allies. which. he
said, would facilitate the task of the
collection of the ultimate billions of
indemnity. Deputy Schiele spoke in
similar vein. and argued that without
an indemnity Germany faced ruin.
Deputy keil. socialist, accepted the
challenge and declared that the Ger,
man nation was unwilling to continue
the sacrifice of it's sons merely in an
attempt to fill its pockets with gold.
Pacidst Proposals.
AMSTERDAM. via London. May 5.
$50 am.-Four German pacifist or
ganizations have petitioned the reich
stag to accept the following principles.
in view of the new situation created
by the Russian revolution.
First-Germany to make peace
with Russia without territorial
acquisition but under a guarantee
that the national rights of Germans
in Russia be respected.
Second-Germany's peace terms in
respect to her other enemies to be
disclosed.
Third-The promotion of general
peace by union of the nations and
the reduction of armaments.
Fourth-Internationa reorganiza-
tion. based on the will and needs of
he peonIa