Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-02
ALSACE-LORRA|NE
FOREMAN GERMAN
Phillip Scheidemann Says Prov
inces Never Shall Go
Back to France.
NATION STANDS UNANIMOUS
Even Minority Faction of Gov
eminent Does Not Want
Them Returned.
NATION STANDS UNANIMOUS

BERLIN, September 1.-"Alsace-Lor-
main a part of tho German empire"
said Phillip Scheidemann. tho leader
OF the majority faction of the Ger
man Socialists. in an interview granted
to a representative of the Danish paper
Socialdcmokraten.
LAS far as this question is concerned
tho German nation is unanimous.
Even the minority faction of our
party does not want to sec these
thoroughly German provinces returned
to France.
1.-The Russian Socialists have pro-
posed that the decision Of the future
Of the provinces be left to the popula
tion. We would not object to
pIebiscite, because we are sure the
vote would be Overwhelmingly In favor
OF Germany. but the French do not
want such a solution. They do not
care about the sentiments Of the popu-
lation. as they simply want the land
and its rich resources"
In regard to the charge OF the en-
tsnte press that Germany is pursuing
imperialistic aims and started the war
for conquest, the Socialist leader said:
I'VE lived at peace with the whole
world forty-four years, while our
present enemies carried on innumer-
able wars. All of these wars were
aggressive. and had a decidedly i'm
perialistic character. 1t Is true that
we also have imperialists and annexa-
tionists but these elements are far
less powerful in Germany than In
England and France. The German ma
ton wants no conquests, and Is only
defending itself against the i'm
perialistic aims OF the allies. which
have been procla lined again and again
by the responsible ministers Of Eng
land and France and in the Pariia-
ments of all entente countries.
ITS LIBERTY GREATER
THAN THAT OF ENEMIES
The German nation has a greater
influence upon it's government than
the people of the so-called democra-
cies." Scheidemann continued. Proof
for this fact is furnished by the con-
ditioEs In the different Parliamcnts.
The British government tolerates NO
opposition in the House of Commons,
and in Franco any representative who
dares to criticize the conduct Of the
war and the policies of the govern
ment is promptly branded as a traitor
to his country, while in the German
Reichstag we do not have to wear
muzzlcs. We can state our views
freely. and our criticism Is always
needed.
The characterization OF Germany
is progressing swiftly. and will soon
be an accomplished fact" Scheide-
mann concluded. "In England, France
and America all governmental power
is in the hands Of a small group Of i'm
perialistic capitalists, who rule the
middle classes and the workingmen.
The masses have little to say. al
though they can vote at the elections
All policies are decided by the great
industrial and financial interests,
which control the politicians. The
German democracy is at least strong
enough to keep the imperialistic and
capitalistic war politicians in check,
so that they cannot get control of the
government. Lasting peaceful rela-
tions between the nations will only
be possible when the entente coun-
tries become really democratic Their
boosted present democracy is nothing
but phrase and sham, because the
people do not rule in England, France
and Italy. and even less in the United
States, the greatest oliEarchy Of all
times"