The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-13
DERNBURG MEMBER
OF PEACE PARTY

perial reply to the peace note Of Pope
Benedict. The pacific spirit which in
spired this reply has also inspired me.
At the time. however, ] added that this
spirit must not give our enemies free
conduct for an interminable continuation
Of the war.
What have we lived to see, however?
While for years there can have been no
doubt whatever OF our willingness to
hold out our nand toward an honorable
peace. We have heard until these last
few days hostile speeches delivered by
enemy statesmen President Wilson
wants war until W are destroyed, and
what Mr. Balrour. che British Secretary
Of state for Foreign Atrairs. has said
must really drive the flush Of anger to
the cheeks Of every German.
Sees "Desir~ for Destruction"
I'VE feel for the honor OF our father
land. and We cannot allow ourselves to
be constantly and openly insulted In this
manner. and behind these insults IL the
desire for our destruction. As long as
this desire for our destruction exists We
must endure, together with our faithful
nation.
Il am also convinced know it
that In the widest circles OF our nation
the same serious feeling exists every
where. As long as the desire for our
destruction exists We must hold out, and
we will hold out. with confidence in our
troops. in our army administration and
our magnificent nation. which bears so
wonderfully these difficult times with
their great privations and continuous
sacrifices.
"In the direction OF our policy nothing
will be changed. IT, in spite OF these
hostile statements by these statesmen.
any serious efforts or a paving OF the
way 10 peace were TO show themselves
anywhere, then, quite certainly, we
would not adopt negative attitude
from the very beginning. but we would
examine these seriously meant say
expressly seriously--efforts Immediately
with scrupulous care.
Naturally 1t Ia not sufficient when
some agent or other approaches us and
says to US I can bring about peace
negotiations then and there.
But II Is necessary for the appointed
representatives of the enemy Powers
duly authorized by their Governments, to
give us to understand that discussions
are possible. discussions which for the
time being naturally will be within a
limited circle.
"smaII Circle at First"
But the statesmen who have spoken
up to the present time have not said a
word about such possibilities. When
such possibilities manifest themselves
and when serious inclinations toward
peace chow themselves on the other side
Their We will Immediately 20 into them.
That In to say We will not reject them
| and we will speak, TO begin. within n
| small circle
II also can tell you that this stand
| point In not merely my own standpoint.
| but that 1t Is shared emphaticaliy by
the Chief of the Army Administration.
The Chief of the Army Administration
also does net conduct war for the sake
| OF war. but has said TO me that as soon
as serious desire for peace manifests IT.
self on the other side we must follow It
up.
! "You will be interested to know how
we are working on this standpoint and
| certain problems on this standpoint and
present time forces upon US Exhaustive
| discussions took place regarding these
| questions July and 2 at general head
quarters. under the presidency OF the
Kaiser.
| stands by Russian Robbery.
| Naturally I can only announce here
quite generally tho lines which were
laid down at that time. Regarding the
east we stand on the basis of the peace
OF Brest-Litovsk, and we wish to see
this peace carried out in a loyal man
ner. That Is the wish OF the German
imperial administration. and II is sup
ported In this by the chief OF the army
Administration.
However. the difficulty Of the execu-
tion OF the peace OF Brest-Litovsk is es
not lie on our side. but In the fact that