Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-05
BITTER CONTROVERSY
OVER PEACE IN GERMANY
ImpcriaIistic Organizations Through.
out Country Revive Activities for
Pan-Gcrman Advantages.
SOCIALISTS IN OPPOSITION
Even Moderate Elements Assail Won
Bcthmann-Hollweg for His Weak
knced Shrinking, and Demand
Statement OF Country'S Policy.
IRy Associated Prcss.l

BY Associated Prcssl
COPENHAGEN. May tvia London).
The silence of German 1mpcrial Chan
cellor Won Bcthmann- Hollwcr concern.
ing GermanE's peace terms. if. as de-
clarcd. based on q desire to avoid dis
rupting the unity of feeling in the
country by discussion of contentious
questions. and not. is some uncharitable
herman critics assert, upon the alb
sencc of definite government peace
/ policy. has failed OF its object An
acrimonious controversy is raging in
Germany between the anncxattonists
and the advocates of no anncxations
and indcmnitics
The Pan-German League has sent cir
cuiarS TO It's branches throughout the
country asking them to organize meet
inGS everywhere in the interests of
herman peace. and against tho So
ciaiiSt peace program. The conscrva-
tiHeS have introduced an Interpretation
IN the ReichstaE in an cndcavor to
force Won Bcthmann-HollwcE to de-
"!are himself for or against the Schcidc-
mann program.
The revival of the activity OF the
imperialistic organizations of aEricul-
turc and industry, who were RESPONSE
of the six leagues, with Il sweeping an
neNationist program in 1915, is marked
ny the issue of stimy worded pro-
nounciamento from a long list of aEri-
cultriai. Industrial and even religious
organizations. The Pane German League
ana the army and navy leagues are
demanding peace with indcmnitics, in
creased territories and greater power
for Germany
STRENGTHENING PUBIC
OPINION FOR PEACE
The Socialist meetings. on the other
hand, are making and strengthening
public opinion for a peace with no in
IDENTITIES and no anneXations.
The moderate elements. who favor
taking what can be gotten. are assail-
ing NonBethman-Hollw for weak
kneed shrnkinEs from trouble and de-
mand. in resolutions adopted by the
Liberal party. and in editorials in such
papers as the Nossischc Zcitung that
the Chancellor now make Il clear and
definite statement of policy as a step
toward inner and outer peace
The Conservative Interpolation in
the Reichstag declares that the Social
list resolution for peace without annexa-
tions and indemnities. together with
the absence of a definite announcement
on the Imperial Chancellor's part. has
evoked deep disquietude in 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 pronunciamento of the Socialistic
organizations declares that the Social
list proposals are depressing and shame
full to all patriots. Germany, it says,
needs, and must have. indemnities for
her enormous sacrifices and to develop
economic, cultural and social life after
peace is declared.
In plain language. those demands
mean the acquisition of the rich mining
districts of Northern and Northwestern
France. taking the Belgian coast for
naval base purposes. and the extension
of the German frontier eastward
DEMAND FOR INDEMNITY
INJECTED IN DISCUSSION
Government appeals for harmony and
restraint also have not awaited to Keep
the discussion out of the Reichstag
where. in little curtain raiser to the
expected great debate, Deputy thinner
mann. National Liberal. and Deputy
Schiele, Conservative, have injected
! into the budget discussion demand
for an indemnity.
All in all. 1t looks as II Won Beth
/ mann-H ol!wcg will he forced in self
/ defense to make A further statement
/ on Gcrmanys peace terms, but he has
| wide possibilities for unclcar and gem
eraliZcd declarations, TO which he is
/ addicted.
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