The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-12

bernany prepared nefSelt, not Tor
protection against an aggressive coali-
ton, but in order to annihilate France.
The same people who promised to
Russia the conquest and possession of
tonstanunople dare to assert that Ger
many mas aggressive intentions. OF
course, the conquest of Constantine
pie, which was announced by Trepoff
tthe Russian premier) in the Duma,
IS passed in silence in the entente
note, just as they, in a discussion of
diplomatic events in July, 1914, ele-
gantly slide over the decisive event
that brusque Intervention in all at
tempts at mediation by the Russian
mobilization. which was even repeat
eddy dissuaded by the English ambas-
sador at st. Petersburg"
DO you think that under these cir
Cumstances the moral indignation in
the tone of the entente note is sin
Cere?" was asked.
Credited With Sincerity.
Most certainly | do" replied Di-
rector Hammann with vivacity. ~
am of the same opinion as Bernard
Shaw and consider the sincerity of
this moral Indignation as a new in
stance of the providential harmony
between the in rests and moral and
political ideas of England. We know
this moral indignation from history.
When the Prussians and Austrians
marched into Schleswig- Holstein, In
order to assist their countrymen and
fight on the side OF the Schleswig-
Holstein irredentists for the indepen-
dence of the German race, then Lord
Palmerston and Lord SALISBURY. In
the lower and upper no ses. mani
tested the same moral dignation.
They also Immediately found the same
sincere words as outrage violence
most cowardly' and 'frghtful afro
cities
sincere was Sid Edward Grey's in
disnation when on July %. 1914. he
received from the German chancellor
the suggestion that Germany, II Eng
lish neutrality were guaranteed, would
enter into an obligation not to aspire
to territorial extension at Frances
cost if Germany were victorious in the
war Al that time also Grey declared
this proposal as most shameful and
the offer OF mean (base) traffic at
Frances expense"
And the reproaChes that the Ger
man peace offer contained nothing
tangible" was suggested.
THE tangible point" said DR..
Hammann. was that Germany de-
clared her readiness TO communicate
her peace conditions in conference
with her adversaries. The entente has
declined this proposal To me ii
seems evident that the entente. when
doing this, felt seriously concerned
and greatly depressed on account OF
the impression this refusal of the
German peace offer must make on
the neutral world.
Fearful of Peace Terms.
This is clearly indicated by the
tone Of the entente note. II is exactly
as II the entente We're in a certain
sense afraid to listen TO the conditions
of the central powers. Are those men
who gave TO the entente note its par
ticular tone. perhaps afraid that
these conditions OF the central pow
ers are much too sensible and mode
rate for them before their nations
who long for peace. TO undertake the
responsibility OF declining those indi-
vidual conditions? At all events our
adversarles would have acted more
frankly If they had fatty and plainly
said: We will wait because we will
hope that we need not negotiate. but
can dictate the terms of peace In or
der to avoid this awkward avowal the
entente now takes the attitude of the
Judge of the world.
'I3ut all that the entente obtains by
this proceeding Is that is guilt for
the continuation of he war unmistak-
ably in the eyes of the whole world
Is not diminished. but increased
And what VIII the central powers
reply 10 this note ," was asked
Or Hammann answered: Il am no
more in Office; ] do not know the Of
al f,fa / do WI al