Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-16
Junkers Laud, "Reds"
Rap HOllUeg Speech
Continued from PAGE One

Continued from PAGE One
cialists, expressed the fear that the chances
OF separate peace with Russia had been
retarded by the attitude of the Chancellor.
despite his veiled overture
In fact. so keen was the disappointment
Of the radical Socialists that a demonstra-
tion was planned for tonight to protest
against the speech That the Government
was anxious over the situation was shown
by the extra military precautions that were
taken.
The Chancelor's speech was extremely
vigorous. and it was evident that he, as well
as the Kaiser and the high command OF
the German armies. looks at the military
situation on all fronts in a favorable light.
As the Chancellor spoke he wore the
uniform of staff officer. and his face
showed deep red tan. as though he had
been spending much time in the open His
voice was harsh with suppressed emotion
as he repeatedly shook warning finger at
the two groups that had been attacking
him-the radical Socialists and the radical
Conservatives
1t is felt that all talk Of peace and war
in the Reichstag has been quieted for
long time perhaps until the autumn. At
the same time IT is believed that the politi
cal position of the Chancellor has been
strengthened despite the renewal of at
tacks against him by certain newspapers
today.
CHAECEL.LORS ATTITUDE
The attitude of the ruling group In Ger
many, as expressed by DR.. Won Bethmarn-
Holweg is this:
Despite the growing number of her
enemies, Germany can fight on indefinitely.
encouraged by the situation in Russia and
the fact that the Allies are paying for
gains on the western front with enormous
loss of life. The part the United States
is playing in the war is given little con-
sideraton at this time, although it may
cause anxiety later The expression of
war aims would have been interpreted in
| the Allied countries probably as Il sign
of weakness on the part of Germany Con-
| sequently. Germany is silent. Good res
| suits are being attained from the ruthless
| submarine warfare, as is attested by the
| expressions OF anxiety in the British press.
| A significant feature OF the Reichstag ses-
| sion was the introduction into its rema rks by
| Philipp Scheidemann, the Social Democrat tic
| leader and Georg Ledebour the Inde-
| pendent Socialist. OF references TO a possible
| revolution in Germany. Herr Scheidemann
| intimated that if the British and French
| renounced the idea of annexation. and Ger
| many insisted on anneXing territory there
would be a revolution
'"These interpretations demand from me
| definite statement on the question of our
| war aims" said the Chancellor "To make
| such statement at the present moment
| would not serve the country's interests.
| must therefore. decline to make il.
| Since the winter of 1914-l5 ] have been
| pressed now from one side, now from the
| other. publicly to state our war aims. il
| possible with details. Every day they were
| demanded from me- To force me to speak
| an attempt was made to construe my ST.
| lence regarding the program of the wal
l III. .~,,t
Against that ! must again resolutely pro-
| test.
| "On giving liberty for the free discus
sion of war aims | had it expressly de-
clared that the Government could not and
| would not participate in the conflict OF
| views / also protested against any posi-
tive conclusions whatever regarding the
| Governments attitude being drawn from
| the Governments silence.
Il now repeat this protest in the mos
conclusive form What | was ever able t.
say about our war aims / say here in thu
Reichstag publicly. They were genera
principles--they could not be more-bu
they were clear enough to exclude identfi
cation such as was attempted with othel
programs. These fundamental lines hav'
been adhered to up to today. They fount
further solemn expression in the peac'
offer made conjoiEtly with our allies o
December H. 1916
"The supposltion which has recent!
arisen that some differences of opinion ex
| listed on the peace question between us ant
our allies belongs to the realm of fable.
expressly affirm this now with certainty.
am at the same time also expressing tn
s conviction that the leading statesmen of th
| Powers which are our allies are with U.S.
'If the general situation forces me to re
| serve, as Is the case now, l shall keep TIN
| reserve and no pressure either from Her
Scheideman or Herr Roesicke (conservativ
interpellator) will force me from my patti
shall not allow myself to be le
astray by utterances with whic
Schedemann, at a time when drumfr
sounds on the Aisne and at Arras, believe
he could spread among the people the pos
sibilty of a revolution. The German peopl
will be with me in condemning such utter
ances and also Roescke's attempt to repre-
sent me as being under the influence OF tn
| Social Democrats
II trust that the reserve which ] mus
, exercise--it would be unscrupulous on m
, | part did not exercise twill find supper
from the majority Of the Reichstag and ais
| among the people.
| "As regards our eastern neghbor, Rus
sia have already recently spoken. 1t ap
pears as If new Russia had declined 70
, herself these violent plans of conques
Whether Russia will or can act in the sam
sense as her allies | am unable to estimate
, | doubtless England. with the assistance O
| her allies. is employing all her efforts I
, keen Russia harnessed to Engand's wa
, | chariot and to traverse Russian wishe
, for speedy restoration Of the worlds peace
"If however, Russia wants to proven
further bloodshed and renounces all viOien
plans of conquest for herself, IL shs wishe
to restore durable relations OF peaceful III
side by side with us, then surely 1t is
- a. m