The Elbert County tribune., 1917-01-05

goal in two months, discovered aftei
two years that they could never at
tain It,
"As for the future. the disasters
caused by the German declaration OF
war and the innumerable outrages
committed by Germany and her allies
against both belligerents and neutrals,
demand penalties, reparation and
guarantees. Germany avoids mention
of any OF these.
in reality these overtures made b.
the central powers are nothing more
than a calculated attempt to influence
the future course of war and to end II
by imposing a German peace. The oh.
Ject OF these overtures is to create
disssension in public opinion in the
allied countries. But that public opin-
ion has. In spite of all the sacrifices
endured by the allies. already given its
answer with admirable fiImness and
has denounced the empty pretense Of
the declaration of the enemy powers
They have the further object OF
stiffening public opinion in Germany
and in the countries allied to her; one
and all severely tried by their losses,
worn out by economic pressure, anj
crushed by the supreme effort which
lao otch ihpooeu upOu tuelI luuduF
tants.
Finally, these overtures attempt to
justify in advance in the eyes OF the
world a series OF crimes, submarine
warfare, deportations, forced labor and
forced enlistment of the Inhabitants
against their own country and viola
tions of neutrality.
Fully conscious of the gravity OF
this moment, but equally conscious oil
its requirements, the allied govern
ments. closely united to one another
and in perfect sympathy with their
peoples. refuse to consider a proposal
which Is empty and insincere.
"Once again the allies declare that
no peace is possible SO long as they
have not secured reparation for violat.
ed rights and liberties. the recognition
OF the principle of nationalities and OF
the free existence of small states; so
long as they have not brought about a
settlement calculated to end at once
and for all forces which have consii
tuted perpetual menace to the ma
tions and to afford the only effective
guarantee for the future security OF
the world
"In conclusion the allied powers
think 1t necessary to put forward the
following considerations, which show
the special situation of Belgium after
two and half years of war:
In virtue of the International treat
les signed by five great European
powers, of whom Germany was one,
Belgium enjoyed before the war
special status, rendering her territory
inviolable and placing her, under The
guarantee of the powers, outside all
European conflicts. She was, however,
In spite of these treaties, the first to
suffer the aggression of Germany. For
this reason the Belgian governme
thinks it necessary to define the aims
which Belgium has never ceased 20
pursue while fighting side by side
with the entente powers for right and
justice.
Belgium has always scrupulously
fulfilled the duties which her neutral
ity imposed upon her. She has taken
up arms ito defend her independence
and her neutrality violated by Ger
many and to show that she remains
faithful to her internationa, obliga-
tions."
"On the 4th of August, 1914, in the
Reichstag the German chancellor ad
mitted that this aggression constituted
an injustice contrary to the laws OF
and pledged himself in the
naIhe of Germany to repair it. Dur
ing two and half years this injustice
has been cruelty aggravated by the pro-
ceedings of the occupying forces, which
have exhausted the resources of the
country, ruined its industries, devas-
tated its towns and villages. and have
been responsible for innumerable mas
sacres, executions and impriscnments.
"At this very moment, while Gar
many Is proclaiming peace and human
ity to the world she is depcrting Bel
gian citizens by thousands and re,luc-
ing them to slavery.
Belgium before the war asked ior
nothing but to live in harmony with
her neighbors. Her king and her gov
ernment have but one aim-th, re-es-
tablishment of peace and justice. But
they only desire peace which would as
sure their country legitimate repara-
ton. guarantees and safeguards for
the future"