South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-05
SEEK EXPRESSION
OF PEACE POLICY
Chancellor RetiCent AS to Ger
man Program For End
ing the War.

COPENHAGEN (via London),
May 5.-The silence of German I'm
perial Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg concerning Germany's
peace terms. if as declared, il is
based on a desire TO avoid disrupting
the unity of feeling in the country
by discussion of contentious ques-
tions and not as some uncharitable
German critics assert, upon the alb
sence OF a definite government peace
policy. has failed Of its object. An
acriminous controversy is now rag
| ing in Germany between the big an
nexationists, the little annexationists
and the advocates of no annexation
and indemnities whatever.
The pan German league has sent
circulars to it's branches throughout
the country asking them TO organ
ize meetings everywhere in the in
teresns of German peace" and
against the socialist program. The
conservatives have introduced an in
terpellation in the reichstag in an
endeavor TO smoke out Won Beth
mann-HoIlweg and force him to de-
clare himself for or against the
Scheidemann program. The radicals
have introduced a similar interpret
lation in the Prussian diet.
Making Terms.
The revival of the activity Of the
imperialistic organizations of agri-
culture and industry. who were re-
spOnsible for the famous suppressed
circular of the SIX leagues with a
sweeping anneXationist program in
1915. is marked by the issues of a
stiffly worded pronunciamento from
a long list of agricultural, indus
trial and even religious organiza-
tions. The pan-German league and
the Army and Navy leagues are de-
handing peace with indemnities,
increased territory and greater pow
er for Germany.
The socialists meetings, on the
other hand, are making and
strengthening public opinion for
peace with no indemnities and 10
annexations. The socialist leaders
obviously are endeavoring to sweep
the government and the imperial
chancellor into a declaration of the
German peace aims on similar lines
and which could be used at the
Stockholm conference.
Assail Chancellor.
The moderate elements, who IA
vor taking what can be gotten, are
assailing Won Bethmann-H ollweg for
weak kneed shrinking from trouble,
and demand in resolutions adopted
by the liberal party and in the edit
orials of such papers as the Vossi-
sche Zeitung that the chancellor now
make a clear and definite statement
of policy as a step toward inner and
outer peace.
The conservative Interpolation in
the reichstag declares that the So
cialist resolution for peace without
annexations and indemnities, to-
gether with the absence of a definite
announcement on the imperial
chancellor's part, has evoked deep
disquietude I'm wide circles of the
German people because such a peace
would be incompatible with Ger
manys vital interests and asks the
chancellor to state his attitude on
the socialist peace program. The
| last pm disc Greatly II a play ti5ctAAieN
the recent socialist assertions that
they had won the chancellor and the
government to their program.
Proposals Depressing.
The pronunciamento Of the i'm
perialistic organizations declares
that the socialistic proposals are de-
pressing and shameful to all patri-
OTIS. Germany. it says. needs and
must have indemnities for her enor-
nous sacrifices and TO develop eco
nomic, cultural and social life after
peace is declared. Germany must
| secure better protection for its
frontiers, food production. the
strengthening Of its naval position
and land for settlement and
the improved condition of its indus
tries by greater supplies of raw ma
| terials. This in turn makes sure and
necessary armament for the defense
OF the fatherland
Translated into plain language,
- y,oaou tho apC11icftTpu