Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-16
4BETHMANN- H0LLWEC DEfIES HIS
OPPONENTS AND THE ENTENTE; NO
PEACE PROPOSAL MADE ALLIES
PAGE EIGHT.

Berlin, May ia Significant
1sachstag was tho Introduction
into their remarks by Philipp
echeademann, the Social DemO-
cratic leader and George Iede.
bon, the Independent socialist,
Of reference to . possible revo-
luton ss IN G ;et;ms,ssa that aef +
tho British and French renounc.
Cd the idea of annexation and
Germany insisted on a%nnexing
territory, there would be q rev
luton. This resulted in indig-
nant population by a largo Sec
tom OF the house. n Herr
6chotdemann FASTENED to a it
had not gone 50 far as that yet.
Herr Iedebour, however, de-
claxed that a republic must be
established in Germany and that
his party would propose that a
constitution committee take pre-
paxatoFy steps In that direction.
Berlin. Via London. May 1e'-.
In ono Of the most vigorous and
plain-spoken speeches he has yet
made before the reichstas since the
outbreak Of the war. the imperial
German chancellor yesterday, blunt
Nv refused to enter into a discussion
Of Germany's peace aims. as demand
ed in interpretations by the conser-
vatives and socialists.
ed that these called for the govern
ment's specific peace program. the
announcement of which woul at the
present time not only be nat
but which 1t would be difficult to for
mulate, and also of no practical SER
vice to the nation in the present situa-
ton.
Cannot Be Swayed.
While approaching the passionate
desire Of all classes to know the gov
ernment's views, the chancellor plain
IL declared that he would MOI permit
himself to be swayed by pressure
from any source, and that he was not
under the spell Of any party or clique.
The best interests Of the nation. he
believed, demanded h a the reticence
he had imposed on himself in the a
Of continuous clamor since December.
1915, should be observed by him un-
til the moment was ripe. He was sure
that such a course would be endorsed
by the nation at large, which continu-
ed to rally around its emperor and
would also meet the views of a major
ity in h reichstag.
These interpretations demand from
me a definite statement on the ques-
ton of our war aims" said the chan
cellor. ITO make such a statement
at h present moment would no.
serve the country's interests. l mu
therefore decline to make 1t.
will Not State War Aims.
Since the winter of 1914-l5 I have
been pressed, now from one side. now
from another. publicly to state our
wal aims, II possible with details. To
force me to speak. an attempt wa
made to construe my silence regard
ing the program of the war aims OF
individual parties as agreement
test.
ION giving liberty for the free dis.
cussion Of war aims I had it expressly
declared that the government could
not and would no participate in tn.
conflict OF views. I ais protested
against any positive conclusions what
ever regarding the movements atti'
tude being drawn from the govern
ment's silence.
II now repeat this protest in thu
most conclusive form. What I wa
ever able to say about u war aims
say here In the reichstag publicly
They were general principles-the!
could not be more-but they wer
clear enough to exclude identification
Oucn Al was With Othe
programs. These fundamental line
have bee adhered to up to today
They found further solemn expression
in the peace offer made c~onjointl
with our allies on December IL, 1916
Teuton Allies Firm.
The supposition which has neces
sarily arisen that some differences Q
opinion existed on the peace questio
between us and our allies belongs t
the realm Of fable. expressly af1rr
this now with certainty. l am at tn
same time also expressing the convic
ton that the leading statesmen Of tn
powers which are our allies are wit
IL
II thoroughly and fully understood
the passionate interest OF the peopl
in the war aims and peace conditions
/ understood the call for clearnes
which today is addressed to me fro,
h Right and the Left. But in tn
discussion Of our war aims, the onl
guiding line for me is the early an
satisfactory conclusion Of the wa
Beyond that I cannot dc or say an,
thing.
IF the general situation forces n
to reserve, as ia the case now, sha
keep this reserve and no pressur
either from Herr scheidemann ,
Herr Roesicke will force me from n
path.
Refers to Possible Revolution.
Il shall not allow myself to be IL
astraya by u%tterances with which Sch
edemann, at a time when drum n,
sounds on the Aisne and at Arras, b,