The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-01
Replies to Michaelis's Asper-
sion to Conquest Treaty.
"Absolute Lies" To Deceive
People, Says French Premier. .
CONQUEST POLICY REGULATED
Chancellor Trying To Relieve
Emperor's Conscience.
Diverting Blame From Council
That Started War.

Paris Aug Premier Ribot re-
piled in the chamber Tuesday to the
declaration made Saturday by Dr.
Michaelis, the German chancellor,
that there was a secret treaty between
France and Russia having in view
plans of conquest.
Premier Rlbot, after saying he was
convinced that Spain would apply the
decree interning the German subma-
rine which anchored in the harbor at
Corunna Monday evening, said:
IT wish to reply to the singular
speech which DIR. Michaelis thought
fit to invite the Berlin journalists to
hear. The German chancellor pub
licly commanded the French govern
ment to declare whether in a secret
sitting. June 1. the French govern
ment had not made known to the
chamber of deputies, the terms of a
secret treaty made before the Rus
sian revolution whereby the emperor
bound himself to support pretensions
to German territory on the left bank
of the Rhine.
1.-The chancellor's version contains
gross inaccuracies and absolute lies,
notably regarding the role he attrib-
utes to the president of the republic
in giving an order to sign a treaty
unknown to Premier BRAND.
Overlooked These Points.
THE chancellor refrained from
speaking about my declaration March
21, wherein 1 repudiated in Frances
name any policy of conquest and an
nexation by force. He has wilfully
forgotten my language May 22 in the
chamber, saying we were ready to
enter into conversation with Russia
as to the object of the war and if the
German people, whose right to live
and devotion anaf1I1lu xxo do
contest, understood that we wish
peace founded on the right of the
people the conclusion of peace would
| thereby be singularly. facilitated
Finally the chancellor passed over
in silence the resolution unanimously
voted after the June secret session"
Here Premier Ribot read from his
speech in the chamber warning
against those who wished to spread
the conviction that France was seek
ing conquest and read the terms of
the resolution adopted by the cham
Der at that time, declaring that peace
conditions must include the liberia
ton OF territories occupied by Ger
many, the return of Alsace-Lorraine
TO France and just reparation for
9amase done in the invaded regions
Ihe resolutions also favored the Gre
alton of a league of nations Tor the
maintenance of peace.
Berlin Maneuvers Crude.
Who now Care say to the world
that we wish annexation" continued
Premier Ribot
Such maneuvers are too crude to
deceive anyone, especially the demo-
cratic masses tf the Russian peonle
who 1t is vainly being tried to separate
from their allies by dece1ving them
as to the true sentiments of French
democracy. What is the chancellor
| seeking? He is trying to hide the
embarrassment which he feels in
defying Germany's objects of war and
conditions wherein she would make
peace. He is trying especially to turn
aside attention from the terrible re-
sponsibility weighing on the con-
science OF the kaiser and his coun-
cilors.
1T is the publication of decisions
made July at a council held at Pots
dam at which all consequences of the
ultimatum to be sent to Serbia were