New-York tribune., 1918-06-27
German Chancellor Shows
Fear of League of Nations
After the War
Reichstag Told Price
Rumania Must Pay
Won Westarp Alarmed at
Teutonic Aims as Expressed
by Won Kuehlmann


Wilson's four principles of basis for
general peace by Count Won Hertling,
imperial German Chancellor.
That announcement was made by the
Chancellor in the Reichstag during the
debate after the speech of Foreign
Secretary Won Kuehlmann. Proposal
If q league Of nations after the war is
-ot looked upon with favor by Count
Won Hertlng, who intimated such a
league might make it uncomfortable
for Germany.
~ originally had no intention of TAX
ING part in this debate" said the Chan
ceuor. "The reasons for my contem-
Mated reserve are obvious, namely, the
experiences l have had together with
nv predecessors remarks in previous
speeches.
IF we spoke our willingness for
peace it was regarded as symptom
of weakness and our Immediately i'm
pending collapse. BY others 1t was IN
terpreted as crafty trap.
Did we speak, on the other hand,
If our unshakable will to defend our
selves in d war of conquest so crlml-
nally thrust upon US, it was said that
4 was the voice of German militarism,
TO which even the leading statesmen
must submit willy-nilly.
Afraid of Peace League
81 went.a step further on February
"a, and expressly stated my attitude
toward the message of President "ll-
son, in which he discussed his four
points, and gave, in principle, my as
sent to them. | said these four points
Of President Wilson might possibly
form the basis of a general world
peace. No utterance of President Will
son whatever followed this, so there is
no object in spinning any further the
threads there started.
"There is still less object, after
rtatements which have since reached
us. especially from America. These
statements, indeed, made it really clear
what 10 to be understood from peace
league ,f peoples or league OF peo-
ples ior the maintenance of freedom
and Justice.
"Our opponents made it clear that
they would be the kernel of this league
of peoples and that it would in this
way not be difficult to isolate the un-
comfortable. upward strivings of Ger
MANY, and by economic strangulation
to extinguish her vital breath. con-
side-ed it as against this quite proper
that the Foreign Secretary make a
statement on the details of our po-
htical position in the East, from Fin
land to the Black Sea, and in my
opinion he fulfilled the task
thoroughly"
The Chancellor said ne would not
60 into the question Of the respon-
sibility for the war. There are already
testimonies that Germany was not to
blame" he said.
Clears misunderstanding
~ feel obliged to clear away the
misunderstanding which, it seems, we
obtained in the Interpretation of the
second part of the Foreign Secretary's s
statement" he continued. "The ten
dency of these utterances of the
Foreign Secretary was purely to
ascribe the responsibility for the con-
tinuation and Unreasonable prolonga-
tion OF this terrible war to the enemy
powers entirely in the sense had in
dicated on February "a, for it goes
without saying that there can be no
question of lessening our energetic de-
fence or our will, or of shaking our
confidence in victory"
Stormy applause followed this ut
terance by the Chancellor
Now. as before" he added, "the
ruler of the empire, the princes and
the peoples, stand closely and con-
fidently together They trust in our
incompatible troops, our incompatible
army leaders and our united people,
which are unshakably standing to-
gether, and we may hope that the
Almighty, who hitherto has helped us
and led US from victory 70 victory,
will reward this faithful German peo-
pe"
Regret was expressed by Deputy
OF the Foreign Secretary were still
as bloodthirsty as ever. He added:
Nevertheless, / believe we have
passed the climax of international
hatred. German war aims offer no
obstacle to truce Of Cod"
Won Westarp Alarmed
Count Won Westarp, Conservative,
said the words of the Foreign Secre-
tary regarding responsibility for the
war alarmed him, and that DR.. Won
kuehlmann's declaration did not
strengthen the will to peace.
Abroad" he continued, "they will,
rear, regard II as new peace of
Ienslve. An appeal to the goodwill of
England is useless"
Secretary Won Kuehlmann made a
general reply to the criticisms raised
IN the debate. He said the most Diff
hcult questions in the conclusion Of
peace would be territorial questions.
ana proceeded to deal in some detail
with the rectihcation that would be
required by Austria Hungary and Bull
Saria. Discussions between the two
central Powers would offer no difi-
eulties.
The Secretary referred to the diff
.uties OF settling the frontier ques-
!lons between Turkey and Bulgaria ow
ing TO the sentimental grievances left
~ the Balkan war and said Germany
snd Austria had done their best to
establish a compromise. The sooner a
compromise can be reached, he added,
me me sooner final transfer of Northern
.Doorudja to Bulgaria can occur and
we better 1t will be for the interests
VI & Ine entire alliance. He continued:
me establishment of compromise
oe;ween Turkey and Bulgaria will re-
yo're thorough deliberations between
me allies. 1t would be very pleasing
~, an agreement between Bulgaria and
turkey relieved us of this task"
Rumania's Plight
Regarding Rumania the Foreign Sec
s.ary observed that criticism had been
evoked because Germany had demanded
Ind nrxztk d..