Evening star., 1918-10-23
PRINCE MAXSEES
LAST EXTREMITY.
FOR 0RHUNNAT|ON
Warns Reichstag President
Wilson's Answer May Cause
"War Of Defense"
TELLS OF CHANGES TO
MEET POPULAR DEMAND
Promises Reichstag It Will Be
Made Responsible for Peace and
War After the War.

By the Associated Press.
Prince Maximilian, the German
chaaeellor. has promised the Ger
man reiehstax that 1t will be made
responsible for war and peace. He
added the proviso. however. that
such a step Will not become ef-
fective until after the war; and
when q league Of nations Ii In
practical operation.
COPENHAGEN, October 23.-Peace
conversations between Berlin and
Washington have reached a critical
point, according to Prince Maxihilian,
the German imperial chancellor, speak
ing before the reichstag yesterday. In
the course of his address he urged that
debate on the situation arising on the
exchange of notes between himself and
President Wilson be restricted as
much as possible.
1.-THE whole German people are
anxious to hear the views of the gov
ernment regarding the prospects OF
peace" he said. but I am able to
speak only with the greatest reserve
and urge that the members OF the
reichstag limit debate. as is consist
ent with the seriousness Of the hour.
The whole German people have been
spoken to by President Wilson, and
this fact gives the utterances of the
representatives of all parties added
force.
Would Prepare for Eventua1ities.
To-day, therefore, am going to say
only this regarding the international
situation: The Presidents first answer
to the peace move of the German gov
ernment has in all countries brought
the questions Of q peace OF justice
or. . peace of -vfolence to the highest
point" he continues. president VIII
sons. 1Ssts t1ote. did not m1ks cleAF
10 AtXs Ger1h2n5 people hewsthas pubttc
agitation will end His next answer
will perhaps bring definite ;cHrtatnty.
Until then we must in all our thoughts
and in our actions prepare for both
eventualities-frst that the enemy
governments are anxious for war. IN
which case there is no choice Tor us
but to put ourselves in posture OF
defense with all the strength of our
people driven to the last extremity.
SHOULD this necessity arise. I have
no doubt that the German govern
ment. in the name of the German
people, will issue a call for national
defense in the same way that 1t spoke
action for peace. He who honestly
took a stand on the basis of peace
viii also undertake the duty of, not
submitting to a peace OF violence
without a fight. The government
which would act otherwise would be
left to the mercy of the fighting and
working people. 1t would be swept
away by public opinion.
Refers to Problem Of Future.
There is also another possibility.
The German people must not be
blindly brought to the conference ta-
BILE. The German people today has the
right to ask if peace is realized on
the basis of President Wilson's condi-
tions what they mean for our future.
Our answers to the Presidents ques-
tion must be framed on the German
peoples understanding Of that ques-
ton. What 1t now wants is clearness.
'aThe decision will be of stupendous
import. 1t will not be our strength
that will decide, but it will be what
is thought to be right in free discus
sion with our opponents that will give
the decision. This is a great effort for
a proud people accustomed to victory!
The legal questions involved will not
stop at our national boundaries, which
will be never of our own accord open
for violence.
''The principles upon which we have
agreed as a rule of conduct also in
volve internal questions. From many
quarters it has been represented to me
that an acceptance of President Will
sons conditions would mean submis-
sion-anti-German submission-to an
anti-German court OF Justice which
would decide legal questions entirely
from the viewpoint of its own inter-
ests. If that is the case. why then
is it the extreme apostles. Of force in
tn, entente fear the council chamber
as the guilty fear the court of JUS.
tice?
Discusses League of Nations.
THE essence of President Wilson's
program for league of nations can
not be achieved when all peoples have
nl. the right Of national self-deter-
mination. This realization of COM
munity law means the abandonment
ence which hitherto has been the in
dication of sovereignty, both by us
and others. SHOULD we at home main
tain as fundamental the national ego
ism which until short time ago was
the dominating force of the peoples
life there would be no restitution and
no renovation for US. There would be
a feeling of bitterness which would
cripple us for generations.
But if we comprehend that the
Significance of this frightful war is,
above all. victory for the idea of JUS
but submit with all good faith. then
we shall find in it cure for our pres
ent wounds and reservoir of future
strength"
Opposition in Germany Admitted.
Prince Macmillan said that he
would. not deny that heavy opposition
in Germany must be conquered be-
fore the ideal league of nations could
be realized, but he continued:
whether the next few days or
weeks shall call us to fight on or open
the way to peace, there is no doubt
we are now equal to the task of
either war or peace by carrying out
the governments program and def
nitely breaking away from the old
system"
The imperial chancellor then dis
cussed electoral and parliamentary
reform. He cited bills before the
reichstag. one of which enables mem
bers OF the house to enter the gov
other proposing change in the laws
Continued on Ninth. PageJ...