New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-01-05

vantage to the aggressors who. after
imagining that they would reach their
goal in two months, discovered after
two years that they could never at
tain il.
AS for the future, the disasters
caused by the German declaration or
war and the innumcrable outrages
committed by Germany and her allies
against both belligerents and neutrals,
demand penalties, reparation and
guarantees. Germany Avoids mention
of any of these.
"ln reality these overtures made by
the central powers are nothing more
than a calculated attempt to influence
the future course of war and to n 1t
by imposing Il German peace. The o.
j"ct Of these o%vcrtures is TO create
dissscnsion 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 iirmncss and
has denounced the empty prctcnse OF
the declaration of the enemy powers.
"Thoy have the further object OF
stiffcning public opinion in Germany
and in the countries allied to her. one
ana all severely tried by their losses,
worn ont by economic pressure, ana
crushed BY tn" supreme effort when
has been imposed upon their inhabl-
tants.
"Finally, these Oyorturcs attempt to
justify in advance in the eyes Of III"
world a series OF crimes, Submarin"
warfare, doportations. forced labor ald
forced enlistment of the inhabitants
against their " country and viola
lions OF neutrality.
"Fully conscious of tho gravit, OF
this moment, but equally conscious OF
its requirements. the allied govern
monts, closely united 10 one anOlh"r
and in perfect sympathy with th"ir
peoples, refuse TO consider a proposal
which is empty and insinc"rr.
"Oncc again the allies declare thai
no p"ac" is possibl" 50 long as they
have not secured PREPARATION for yiolat
ed rights and liberties, the recognition
of tn" principle of n~ationaliti"s and OF
the fire." existence of small states; so
long as they have not brought about i
settlement calculated to end al onoc
and for all forces which have COn5'i'
tutcd a perpetual menace TO the ma
tiuns and to afford the only "ff"ctiv"
guarantee for the future scCdrity of
he world.
In conclusion the allied powers
think it necessary to pul forward the
following considerations, which show
I,, .,,.a;,1 animation of Do1Uinp, oft,r
two and a half years of war:
an virtue of the international treat
les signed by five great European
powers, OF whom Germany was one
Belgium enjoyed before the wal 4
special status, rendering her territory
inviolable and placing her, under the
guarantee of the powers, outside all
European conflicts. She a however,
in spite of these treaties, the first to
suffer the aggression of Germany. For
this reason the Belgian government
thinks it necessary to define the aims
which Belgium has never ceased 10
pursue while fighting side by side
with the entente powers for right and
justice.
belgium has always s~crupulously
fulfilled the duties which her neutral
ity imposed upon her. She has taken
up arms to defend her Independence
and her neutrality violated by Gee
many and to show that she remains
faithful to her international obliga-
TONS
"On the 4th of August, 1914, in the
RoichstaE the German chancellor adj
that this aggression constituted
injustice contrary TO the laws o.
nations, and pledged himself in The
name Of Germany to repair it. Dlr-
ing two and a half years this injustice
has been cruelty aggravated by the pro
cccdings 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 is proclaiming peace and human
ity to the world she is depOrting Bel
gian citizens by thousands and re'luc-
ing them to slavery.
Belgium before the war asked Tor
nothing but to live in harmony with
her neighbors. Her king and her gov
eminent have but one aim-tlle re-es-
tablishmont of peace and justice. Bu'
they only desire peace which would as
sure their country legitimate 'ppara-
lion, guarantees and safeguards for
ba futurs"