The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1917-07-12
CHANCELLOR Won BETH
MAN. HOLWEG SAYS
WAR MUST co ON.
PEOPLE COMPLAIN
Much Dissatisfaction Because
of the Scarcity Of Foodstuffs
in Empire.

Zurich, July ll.-"Germany must
fight to the last gasp"
With these ringing words DR.. Won
Lehman hollweg announced to the
world that peace is still far distant,
SAID an official message from Berlin
yesterday.
The Tagelische Rundschau of Ber-
i'm was given as authority for the
German chancellor's declaration. The
speech was made in secret Monday
before the main committee of the
reichstag.
According to this newspaper the
chaneellor's opposition to policy OF
no annexations and no indemnities
may be summed up in these words
1T is impossible and dangerous"
DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg went
on to say that 1.-The government is
unable to accept socialistic PROPOSE
tons, because they proved unsuccess-
ful in Russia"
The Berliner Tageblatt has the
same quotation, adding: THE chan
.cellor spoke also on the Polish ques-
ton, defending the governments pol
icy and vigorously attacking its op-
ponents."
Later reports give accounts of the
full meeting Of the reichstag on Mon
day, when socialists called upon the
government to ameiitorate the food
and coal situation. Sones, introduc-
ing the question oI the situation in
the interior painted it in the black
est colors as he pictured the extreme
misery of the people.
Food Controller Batocki replied,
defending the government, saying il
had just closed $50 contracts for the
purchase of spring vegetables and
45,500 contracts for fall vegetables.
The controller continued: 81 admit
we deceived our hopes as to the
spring crops. However, the outlook
for the wheat crop is good as in 1915
The potato crop is better than that
Of last year, guaranteeing the coun-
try food"
Vigorous demands that the govern.
ment eliminate the powerful pan
German party were made at the Sc
cret meeting of the main committee
Of official messages from Berlin to.
day.
Mr.. Matthias Erzberger, leader of
the clericals, threatened to make a
coalition with the socialists against
the chancellor, DR.. Won Bethmann-
Hollweg, unless the German govern
ment separate from pan-Germans.
A Berlin telegram also officially
quoted the Taeglische Rundchau a
saying that during recent secret
meeting of the reichstag main com
mittee the German chancellor cate.
gorically rejected the request that
he express himself in favor Of peace
without annexation Of territory and
indemnities.
According to the Taeglische Rund.
chau the chancellor's objection to 2
policy of no annexations and no in.
IDENTITIES may be summed up in
these words: 'tIt is impossible and
dangerous"
The chancellor in his speech or
Monday then went on to say THAI
Germany must fight to the las
gasp" and that ''the government i,
unable to accept social'stic proposi
tions because they proved unsuccess
full in Russia"
A later message, likewise official
announced that>the Prussian govern
men would submit to the diet Law
granting electoral reforms withou
waiting until the war is over. l
would grant universal suffrage will
term limitations as to the right O
votes.
The situation grows more delicat'
daily. At secret meeting of tn
reichstag main committee on Monda.
DR.. David, socialist, assailed tn
pan Germans, demanding an imme
date rejection Of the policy Of an
nexations.
DR.. Erzberger reasserted his dec
larations Of Saturday, asserting tha
the situation demands immediate &C
ton.