Evening star., 1917-10-11
By the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
AMSTERDAM. October IL The
reichstag probably will take a decisive
step forward in regard to the question
of Alsace- Lorraine within a few days,
the Vossische Zeitung of Berlin says.
The reichstag majority supports the
idea of the formation of monarchical
federal state with democratic and par
liamentary guarantees. The newspaper
believes that this plan also is favored
by the imperial government, which has
abandoned the scheme of dividing AL
SAGE Lorraine between Prussia and Ba-
varia
During the debate in the reichstag
yesterday Deputy Conrad Haussmann
said that the declaration of DR.. Won
Kuehlmann. the foreign secretary
that apart from Alsace-L Lorraine there
is no absolute bar to peace-was tan
tamount to definite undertaking that
Belgium should be given up.
That should be heralded forth to all
the nations" the deputy added.
Sees No Impediment to Peace.
In addressing the reichstag. Foreign
Secretary Won Kuehlmann said. accord
ing to a Berlin dispatch. that as far
as he was able to view the world situa-
tion there was no impediment to peace.
no question which could not be solved
by negotiations, except for the French
demand AlSace-I I.Orraine
There is but one answer to the ques-
ton, can Germany in any form make
concessions with regard to AlsaceLor-
raine?" said the foreign secretary.
That answer is no. So long as one
German hand can hold gun, the in
tegrity of the territory handed down
to US as glorious inheritance by our
forefathers can never be the object of
negotiations or concessions"
Refers to Pope's Steps.
In the course of his speech the for
eign secretary said: ,.,,
Gentlemen, compa ratfveiy short
time has elapsed since the foreign pol
icy of the empire was discussed in de-
tail in the budget committee 1 need,
therefore. make only a kind of epilogue
to the statements already made by the
imperial chancellor and myself The
efforts of the holy see to bring about an
exchange of views between the bellig-
erentS have. so far as we are informed
not yet resulted in any considera
step forward since the reply by the
central powers. We cannot say wheth-
er our adVerSartes will make up their
minds even to answer the papal note.
After the clear, sincere and peace
loving notes addressed to the Pope by
us and our allies. the utterances made
by influential newspapers hardly hold
out the prospect that the answer to the
papai note, If made at all by our enc
mics. Will bring the world one step
nearer the goal suggested by the Pope
Question Prolonging Struggle.
although the foreign minister of the
Austro-H Hungarian monarchy, in a
speech at Budapest, pointed out that
the central powers We're prepared in
the sense indicated by the papal note to
collaborate not only in the termfnat ;on
Of the present conflict, but in the re-
construction of n Europe nearly ruined
thefe are no signs of a new spirit'
among our opponents, who are clineinp
10 the tlme-worn formula of the ami
hIlation of German militar.sm. The
great question prolonging the struggle
is not the future of Belgium. but of
Alsace-Lorraine.
Great Britain, according to our in
formation. has pledged herself to
france that she will continue the fight
for the conquest of Alsaca I.orraipa
both politically and with her armies
so long as France desires to adhere
to the program of regaining those prov
inces. This being the actual situation
think 1t proper to give a clear and
firm statement of our attitude since
curiously enough. there Still seems to
be a misconception in this respect
among our enemies. and even among
our neutral friends
The foreign secretary then emnba+
ically declared. as quoted above. thar
Germany would make no CONCESSIONS
in any form with regard to Alsace
Lorraine.
Opposes Disarmament.
Gustav Stresemann. n national liberal
said he would not oppose a reduction