Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-03

BERLIN. January 9. by wireless +, Say
vile, N. Y1The German impression Of
the enAente's reply to the peace pfpposals
of the central powers is reflector today
In a statement made to the sernik omcial
Overseas News Agency by DR.. Harmnann.
who until the turn Of the year was dfrec-
tor Of the intelligence department Of
the foreign Office. This comment was
not based on the official text Of the en-
tente's note, as thus far only the version
supplied by the Havas News Agency from
Paris has been received here.
DR.. Hammann who collaborated in the
important work of the foreign office last
month, said that consideration by Ger
many and her allies Of a peace offer dated
back as far as October. At that time the
intention was entertained OF making an
honest and sincere attempt to prevent
further useless bloodshed. Being asked
as to the general impression created by
the entente reply. he said:
Attitude That Of Judge.
IF am to express an opinion in
few words. 1t is this: Instead Of taking
place around a peace table, the entente's
deliberations took place on a Judges
chair Apparently the entente forgot
nothing that could possibly influence neu-
trails against u.s."
The point Of the accusation, however.
to which the largest space Is allotted
in the entente note is the martyrdom
of Belgium But If one desires to pass
judgment on the martyrdom OF Bel
gium,' one must speak beforehand re-
gar6iing neutral and loyal Belgium
and this Belgium had ceased to exist
long before the war. I do not want
to speak about the documents which
we found In Brussels and which have
been published. They can be read by
everybody. I only wish to single out
one point which up to now has not
been sufficiently considered-the re-
port made by Baron Greindl, Belgium
minister at Berlin. dated December 20
1911.
Plan to Encircle Germany.
This clear-sighted statesman then
explained forcibly that already at that
time the entente was inspired by moth
ing but the one thought of encircling
Germany from the north AS proof Of
this, Baron Greindl quoted the outcry
started in Paris and London a short
time before when the Dutch plan to
fortify Flushing had become known
Baron Greindl then said:
THE reason why they wished that
the Scheldt remain without defense
was not concealed. In this they ad-
transport an English garrison to
Antwerp without hindrance, thus
creating in Belgium basis for oper-
atoms in the direction Of the lower
Rhine and Westphalia-'
Baron Greindl reported that the plan
was then changed in such a manner
that the English auxiliary army was
not to be landed on the Belgian coast,
but in the adjoining French ports.
This same plan of an English landing
equally limited at as imminent by
Lord Roberts during the last Moroccan
crisis. In such circumstances 1t most
certainly would have been an easy
question in 1914 whether Belgium
would permit the passage Of German
troops) to take her armies back to
Antwerp and then let the Germans, I'M
try.
Secret Clauses of Treaty.
How little such action would have
violated the spirit of existing condi-
lions may be understood if one re-
calls the secret clauses of the treaties
of 1881. In them certain agreements
from former times were maintained,
Germany. the right to occupy a Bel
gian fortress. In 1887 a great English
newspaper-if I am not mistaken it
was the Standard-still declared that
employment on the part of Germany of
the right of way through Belgium
could not be taken as in violation Of
Belgian neutrality"
At this point the interviewer said
in addition to this the QueSffon of
the principle of nationality plays a
large part in the answer of thu en-
tente- What Importance must be- at
tributed to this principle in thes pres
ent situation?''
In his reply, Director Hammann en-
phasized every word he said
mo nation" declared Herr Hammann,
"is better able to understand this
principle than the German, for no great
civilized nation has suffered so much,
has been forced to struggle so greatly,
because of being suppressed and dis
Numbered by neighboring races Equal
ly, no single great nation has less to
fear from the application Of this princi-
pie of nationalities than the German.