The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1917-01-05

imagining that they would reach them
goal In two months. discovered aftsf
TIVE ysars that they could never 40
tain Il.
"As for the future. the disasters
caused BY the 0sFmen declaration o.
war and the innumerable outrages
committed By Germany and her allies
against both bellfgerents and neutrals.
demand penalties. PREPARATION and
guarantees. Germany avoids menti0p
Of any Of these.
"In reality these overtures made b.
the central powers are nothing more
than q calculated attempt to influence
the future course Of war and to end u
by imposing . German peace. The oh.
ject Of these overtures 10 to create
disssension in public opinion in the
allied countries. But that public opin-
ION has. In spite of all the sacrifices
endured by the allies, already given Its
answer with admirable ffrmness and
has denounced the empty pretense d
the 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. ami
crushed by the supreme effort which
has been imposed upon their inhabt
tants. a. H-i..ss
Finally. these ovsrtures attempt to
Justify in advance in the eyes OF this
world . series Of crimes. submarine
warfare, deportations. forced labor and
forced enlistment Of the Inhabitants
against their own country and viola-
lions Of neutrality.
Fully conscious Of the gravity OF
this moment, but equally conscious oil
its requirements. the allied govern.
ments, closely united to one another
and In perfect sympathy with their
peoples. refuse to consider proposal
which is empty and insincere.
Once again the allies declare that
no peace is possible 80 long AZ they
have not secured PREPARATION for violAt-I
ed rights and liberties. the recognition
Of the principle of nationalities and OF
tine free existence OF small states: SO
long as they have not brought about a
settlement calculated to end ut once
and for all forces which have cons;i.
tuted perpetual menace to the ma.
lions and to afford the only effective
guarantee for the future security Of
the world.
'.In conclusion the allied powers
think 1t necessary to put forward the
following considerations. which show
the special situation of Belgium after
two and q half years of.war:
"In virtue of the international treat
les signed by five great European
powers, Of whom Germany was one,
Belgium enjoyed before the war q
special status. rendering her territory
inviolable and placing her, under the
guarantee of the powers. outside all
European conflicts. She was. however.
in spite Of these treaties, the first to
suffer the aggression of Germany. For
this reason the Belgian government
thinks 1t necessary to define the aims
which Belgium has never ceased 20
pursue while fighting side by side
with the entente powers for right and
justice.
Belgium has always scrupulously
fulfilled the duties which her neutral.
ity 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-
tions."
ION the 4th of August, 1914, in the
Reichstag the German chancellor ad.
mitted that this aggression constituted
an injustice contrary to the laws Of
nations, and pledged himself in the
name Of Germany to repair 1t. Dur
ing two and q half years this injustice
has been cruelty aggravated by the pro-
ceedings Of the occupying forces, which
have exhausted the resources Of the
country, ruined its industries, devas-
tated its towns and villages, and have
been responsible for innumerable mas
sacres, executions and imprisonments.
AT this very moment, while Ger
many 10 proclaiming peace and human
ity to the world she IL deporting Bel.
gian citizens by thousands and re,luc-
ing them to slavery.
Belgium before the war asked i5r
nothing but to live in harmony with
her neighbors. Her king and her gov
eminent have but one aim-ths re-es-
tablishment of peace and justice. But
they only desire peace which would as
sure their country legitimate repara-
ton, guarantees and safeguards for
the future"
empire and Bull.
garia. This will solidify the territory
dominated by the Teutonic empires
and remove an obstacle in the path OF
German progress toward the Persian