The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-01

barriers to the U-boat campaign.
these men feel. and the submarine
could sweep every part of all oceans
causing havoc unconfined
All Swear BY U-Boat
Every man, woman and child today
swears by the U-boat weapon as by a
religion. That the nations repre-
sentatives in the Reichstag from the
imperial chancellor, down to the
Socialist leader, Deputy Scheidemann.
share this faith was manifested by
yesterdays speeches. Political leaders
who only six months ago were un-
equivocally opposed TO any steps that
might lead to trouble with America.
yesterday spoke most enthusiastically
in favor of unbridled U-boat warfare
and applauded most heartily when
the chancellor let loose his TRADE
against the United States.
But hand in hand with this signifi-
cant turn of mind there Is another
significant change that has come over
the wide circles of German people
and their leaders. This is the change
from Willingness to consent to moder-
ate peace terms, terms which would
virtually call for the status pro ante,
to a unanimous insistence upon
sweeping enlargement of the German
territory and a substantial indemnity
For this change the entente's refusal
of Germany's peace proposal of jan
uary IL is held responsible.
In the Reichsta- yesterday the chan
cellor started the ball OF discussion
on this point rolling ny his reference
to the necessity of "reparation.' For
him to discuss at this time the details
OF the peace imperative for the future
safety OF the empire would be folly.
4 -
" that II was quite natural for the
Reichstag members and for the public
press to discuss the German war aims.
What this diplomatic invitation on
the part of the chancellor means can
be fully understood only by those who
have watched developments in Ger
many since the outbreak of the war.
1t means the lifting of a ban that
has laid heavily upon the German press
and public for more than two years.
Demand "a "Grcater Germany"
Now the lid is off. and already the
pan-Germans are taking full advan
tage of the regained liberty TO tell the
Germans what they must demand as
compensations for the sacrifices OF this
war for for the future safeguarding
Of greater Germany"
The peace conditions OF December
progressive peoples party in the
Rsichstag Yesterday. ARE for the pres
ent abandoned. New fighting and new
sacrifices come, and. as their conse-
queuce. new conditions"
Or Peter SPAIN. leader OF the centre
party. went even further than that.
"AlI damage and loss OF property" said
he must be borne by the originators OF
the war
This gave the conservatives the long
desired opening TO come down TO brass
tacks Count Friedrich Won Westarp,
their spokesman. promptly arose and
demanded the retention by Germany of
virtually every foot of ground con-
quered In the war. CORTLAND and Lith-
uania in Northwestern Russia. Rriey
end Longwy. where Northern France
has her biggest iron and coal uJnes.
and the Flemish coast. so rich In ''ofYen-
sive and defensive value" with Ant
werp, which we cannot do without"
must remain in German hands, said he.
DR. SPAIN, incidentally. took occas-
ion TO thank Sweden. Holland and Swift
zeriand sfor their strict neutrality"
He praised the Pope along the same
lines. but arraigned China for submit
ting to American pressure and abandon
her strict neutrality.
Or. Wiener said;
I'VE wish a return Of the former re-
lations with America. but for us there
is no backward step; there is only the
step ahead" He expressed the opin-
( ion that numerous circles" in Ameri-
ca were dissatisfied with America s
supplies OF war material TO the allies,