The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-01-04

uerStanung on the eve OF the CONNECT.
But to all these efforts Germany gave
neither answer nor effect.
Recalls invasion of Belgium.
Belgium was invaded by an empire
which had guaranteed her neutrality
and which had the assurance to pro-
claim that treaties were scraps Of
paper and that necessity knows no
law
AT the present moment these sham
offers on the part of Germany rest on
the war map of Europe alone, which
represents nothing more. than a super
fetal and passing phase of the situa-
ton and not the real strength of the
belllgerents. A peace concluded upon
these terms would be only to the adj
vantage Of the aggressors. who after
imagining that they would reach their
goal In two months, discovered after
two years that they could never attain
1t.
'As for the future, the disasters
caused by the German declaration of
war and the innumerable outrages
committed by Germany and her allies
against both beIIigerents and neutrals
demand penalties, reparation and
guarantees. Germany avoids mention
of any of these.
I'm reality these overtures made by
the central powers. are nothing more
than calculated attempt to influence
the future course of war and to end it
by imposing German peace. The OBJ
ject of these overtures Is TO create dis
sension in public opinion in the allied
countries. But that public opinion
has, in spite of all the sacrifices en-
dured by the allies, already given its
answer with Admirable firrnness and
has denounced the empty pretense Of
che declaration Of the enemy powers.
''They have the further object of
stiffening public opinion in Germany
and in the countries allied to her
one and all severely tried by their
losses, worn out by economic pressure
and crushed by the supreme effort
which has been imposed upon their
Inhabitants.
Attempts to Deceive NeutraIs.
"They endeavor to deceive and in
timidate public opinion in neutral
countries, whose inhabitants have long
since made up their minds where the
initial responsibilities lie and are far
too enlightened to favor the designs
of Germany by abandoning the defense
of human freedom. ,e ,H.,i ....
FINALLY, these overtures attempt to
justify in advance in the eyes of the
world q new series of crimes-subma-
rine warfare, deportationss forced la
Dor and forced enlistment of the in
habitants against their own countries
and violations of neutrality.
|. Fully conscious of the gravity of
this mOmelt, but equally conscious of
its requirements, the allied govern
ments, closely united to one another
and in perfect sympathy with their
peoples, refuse TO consider Il proposal
which is empty and insincere.
Future Must Be Made Safe.
"Once again the amies declare that
no peace is possible SO long as they
have not secured reparation for violat-
ed rights and liberties, the recognition
of the principle of natiOnalities and of
the free existence Of small states; so
long as they have not brought about
settlement calculated TO end once
and for all forces which have cOnsti-
tuted perpetual menace to the ma
tons and TO afford the only effective
guarantee for the future security of
the world.
TN conclusion, the allied powers
think it necessary to put forward the
following considerations, which show
the special situation of Belgium after
two and a half years of war:
'In virtue of the international
treaties signed by five great European
powers, of whom Germany was one
belgium enjoyed before the war spe-
cial status, rendering her territory in
guarantee of the powers, outside all
violable and placing her, under the
European conflicts. She was, however,
in spite of these treaties, the first TO
suffer the aggression of Germany.
Belgium Demands Reparations.
''Bor this reason the Belgian gov
eminent thinks 1t necessary to define
the aims which Belgium has never
ceased to pursue while fighting side
by side with the entente powers for
right and justice. ~
Belgium has always scrupulously
fulfilled the duties which her neutral
lily imposed upon her. She has taken
up arms to defend her independence
and her neutrality violated by Ger
many and to show that she remains
faithful to her international obliga-
tons. aemt a--s- .s.s
son the 4th of August, 1914, in the
relchstag the German chancellor adj
mitted that this aggression constituted
an injustice contrary TO the laws of
nations and pledged himself in the
name of Germany to repair it. During
two and q half years this Injustice has
been cruelty aggravated by the pro-
ceedings of the occupying forces,