South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-29

majority faction OF the German So
cial democracy, at the recent stock
holm peace conference" says in
the Vorwaerts.
The English and French press has
pictured the Stockholm conference
az sneaking German attempt 10
prevent the near and complete vic
tory OF the entente powers. At the
same time the pan-German organs
howl about a sociaustic plot TO pre-
vent a near and full German victory.
Even sincere advocates of an early
peace express fear that the deliber-
atoms in the Swedish capital may
prolong the war.
Large circles of opponents Of the
war are OF the opinion that the west
ern allies viii use the Stockholm
conference TO hitch the Russian So
cialists 10 the chariot Of imperialism.
There is no doubt that the entente
governments and certain delegates
Of neutral countries are working i'm
this direction. but our jingoes. by
shouting for a German peace"
also are trying TO block all efforts
70 end the wholesale murder that
has now been going on for three
years.
Majority Anti German.
The German socialists will surely
be in a difficult position when the
international conference called by
the Russian council OF soldiers and
workingmen's delegates meets in
August, because they will have TO
face a large anti-G erman majority.
composed Of the entente delegates
and the neutrals sympa thizing more
or less openly with the war aims OF
he allies.
II Is not impossible that the con
ference may he turned into a
demonstration against Germany. as
It viii undoubtedly be manipulated
by very astute politicians
Even under the most favora BILE
circumstances the Stockholm CON
ference will not bring an immediate
peace, although the international
organization Of the socialists may
be resurrected. But the conference
will not be In vain, as II Will give
the proletariat of all nations a
chance 10 raise its voice against the
continuation OF the bloodshed and i'm
favor Of a sensible peace.
Under the constitutions of the
different countries peace has TO he
concluded by the governments. but
IL Will be made by the people. So
far the governments have shown
themselves incapable OF finding a
way out of the labyrinth Of general
insanity. All OF them urge the peo-
pie on 10 new sacrifices by promis-
ing them the complete destruction
Of the enemy and a dictated" peace.
No statesman who has talked Of
sure victory and created hopes that
have not been fulhlled dares to
speak Of peace. because that would
be equivalent 10 confession of de-
feat
Germany Must sue.
The German government can and
must take "a decisive step in the di-
rection of an early peace because IL
Is in a more favorable position than
the governments Of the entente
powers BY pointing 10 the solemn
declaration which DR. Won Beth
mann Hollweg made in the reich
stag on Aug. (. 1914. when he as
sured the world that Germany was
not animated by lust of conquest and
only took up arms TO defend the in
tegrity and economic independence
OF the empire. our government can
come out squarely for peace with
out annexations and indemnities
and that must be done
Unfortunately. the occupation Of
large foreign territories has led 70
a -
has placed the empire in a wrong
light and given our enemies
chance TO influence the neutrals
against us and scare them with the
spectre of a German world hege-
monv.
This agitation also has made our
relations with our allies difficult
No greater mistake could have been
made than 10 create the impression
in Austria Hungary. Bulgaria and
Turkey that the German government
Is IN the hands OF the anneNationists.
our allies will finally resent the idea
II making endless sacrifices TO real
fze phantastic German war aims
Many OF our present difficulties
would have been avoided II our gov
eminent had had the courage 20
turn AGAINST he powerful elements
which shouted for anneNauons and
indemnities and undermined the
confidence in the conduct Of the war
the courage necessary for the de-
ferse Of the empire and the hope In
a better future.
Must state War Aims.
The government still hesitates TO
free itself from the sinister infiu-
ences of the annexauonists. and the
people must now act by stating
their war aims The masses or all
belHgerent nations want peace The
advantages one group of powers or
the other might still gain by the
Proclamation OF the war would be
more than nullided by the enormous
damage 10 the world and civilization.
The aim Of all nations must be 10
find a way out Of the unheara bic
situation and create new political
conditions which will make rope
-ition ~ such a catastrophe impos-
ElbIe
II Is necessary that we face the
condit,ous. frankly. What has hap