New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-02
Peace Terms
Mild, Asserts
Kuehlmann
German Foreign Minister
Intimates They Can Be
Had for the Asking

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 1.-The German
Foreign Secretary, DR.. Won Kuehlmann,
declared in a speech. before yesterdays
sitting of the Reichstag Main Commit
tee that it was absurd to imagine Ger
many would enter q peace conference
with large claims.
"lf our adversaries are anxious to
know what our aims are" he said, the
matter is very simple. There is suf-
ficient number of ways at their dis
posal. History has not furnished
single example of any great diplomatic
assembly purportipg to settle diplo-
matte affairs ever having been con-
vened without previously having in.
formed itself as to the intentions ct
the parties concerned"
During the course of his speech DR..
Kuehlmann welcomed Lord Lsnsdowne's
recent letter advocating compromise be-
growing moderation on the part OF
Great Britain. In part he said:
Lenine's Principles Acceptable
sour eyes at the present moment
are turned toward the East. Russia
has set the world ablsze. The gang Of
bureaucrats and sycophants, rotten to
the core, overruling the weak and mis-
guided though probably we'll meaning
autocrat, surreptitiously. brought about
the mobilization of that country, which
was the actual and immediate cause
of the gigantic catastrophe which befel
the world.
Now, however, Russia has swept
aside the culprits, and she is laboring
to find through an armistice and peace
an opportunity for her internal recon
.truction. The principles hitherto an
nounced to the world by the present
rulers in Petrograd appear to be en-
tirely acceptable as a basis for reor-
ganization of affairs in the East--a re-
organization which, while fully taking
into account the right of nations to de-
termine their own destinies, is calcu-
lated permanently to safeguard the es-
sential interests Of the two great neigh
boring nations, Germany and Russia.
81 am profoundly satisfied that we
shall be able to pursue this course in
full agreement with our allies, and, !
take it, also with the almost unani-
nous moral support of the representa-
tives of the German people here as
sembled-a fact which will give our
action necessary weight"
After referring TO the Teuton victory
in Italy and TO the bitterness caused
in Germany by Italy's entrance into the
war, DR.. Won Kuehlmann said:
Nevertheless, there be some who in
this hour of utter collapse will not
withhold sympathy from the Italian
people"
The effect Of Germany's military
! successes, the Foreign Secretary said,
was noticeable also in England and
France.
"Allies Suppress Freedom"
an Germany" he said, "the govern
ment is carrying out the programme
laid down by the Chancellor yesterday,
not giving way under party pressure,
but rather proceeding with clear per-
ception of historical necessity. The de-
velopment has been actually oppos tie
that of England and France, where
freedom of thought and freedom OF
speech have been suppressed, partly by
violent and brutal measures. In these
WHICH DCtu uNuiONiatltog
things are tending more and more
toward absolute dictatorship"
The Foreign Secretary said Mr.. Lloyd
George probably had not quite come up
to the expectations Of his friends, but
that inasmuch as there seemed TO be
no one TO surpass him in the deter
mination TO carry en- the war, unless
Lord Ncrthcliffe should be resorted to,
I'VE NAV probably for some time to
come see the Western democracies,
under the leadership of their dictators,
discussing in full harmony questions
regarding the command Of the Allied
force9."
Germany, said Dr.. Won Kuehlmsnn.
welcomed the clearing Of the situation
"a regards the Western powers, "under
pressure of our recent successes" he
added:
'Those in favor of war to the ex-
treme have come out into the open, de-
manding victory and nothing but vic
tory. How they intend TO use this vic
tory is shown by the secret documents
published by the Russian government
The Secretary referred to the letter
of the Marquis Of Lansdowne, saying:
"It may be that Lansdowne's letter
can be taken as a hopeful sign that
even in England the forces OF modera-
tion are gaining ground.
but to-day" he continued. cit is GER
tain that the Pope's message Is re-
ceiying no response from the Western
mowers and that France and England
are resolved 20 rely only on violence.
Therefore, the German people will
stand up and be prepared to beat force
with force until the dawn Of the better
and more humane understandings which
is beginning to appear in the Eastern
sky shall arise in the nations Of the
West, which are as yet filled with
greed for money and power"