The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-26
CONQUEST'S AIM
OF ALLIES, SAYS
HUNCHANCELL0R
After Gorging Self on Russia,
Germany Accuses Enemy.
Speech to Reichstag Abounds
in Customary Hypocrisy.
SEES PEACE BASIS BY WILSON
Fears World Court Wouldn't
Give Kaiser Justice.
at Has Been Said We Don't
Intend To Retain Belgium"

amsterdam. Feb. 26.-Chancellor
HertIing. in his address before the
German reichstag yesterday, declared
President Wilson's message of Febru-
airy II contained some principles
which might. constitute the basis for
a general peace discussion. if all the
be.ligerents agreed to a mutual ex-
change of views, according to dis
patches received here today.
It readily admit that President Will
sons message of February II consti-
tutes perhaps a small step toward rap
proehement." said the imperial chan
sslIor.''
Agrees With -Four Wilson Terms.
81 can fundamentally agree with
the four principles. which in President
wilson's view must be applied in a
mutual exchange of views and thus
declare with President Wilson that a
general peace can be discussed on
such a basis.
only one reserve need be made in
connection with these principles. They
must not only be proposed by Presi-
dent Wilson but actually be recognized
by all states and peoples.
This goal has not yet been reached.
There is yet no court of arbitration.
When President Wilson says the
German chancellor is speaking to a
world tribunal, must decline this tri-
buDal as prejudiced. joyfully as
would greet it if an impartial court
of arbitration existed and gladly as 1
would cooperate to realize such
ideals.
There is no trace of a similar feel
ing on the part of the enemy. Eng
lands war aims are imperialistic- She
does not think of applying self-deter-
mination toNIreland and India
: Peace Made With Russia.
"Inasmuch as peace has been made
with Russia, the world asks, isn't the
gate opened toward general peace 2
But Britain, Italy and France are not
reaSy to listen to reason. They are
fighting for conquest
ai-"There is no Alsace-Lorraine ques-
ton in an international sense, as 1
have said before.
THE world now stands before a
final decision. Either our enemies
VII decide to conclude peace-they
know on what terms they are ready
to begin discussion-or they will con-
thu their insanity in a criminal war
OF conquest
"Our people will hold out further,
hut the blood of the fallen, the agonies
nj the mutilated and the suffering @
the people will fall upon the heads of
those who insistently refuse to listen
to the voices of reason and humanity.
- = can agree with Mr.. Runciman
CformCr head of the British board OF
asricuiture), if he meant we would be
nearer peace if the proper responsible
representatives of belligerents would
NEE il. conclave for discussions. This
would be the way of removing all in
territorial or unintentional misunder-
standings on many individual ques-
lions.
As to Belgium's Future.
Il am thinking especially of Bel
GUM in this connection. 1t has beer
said repeatedly that we do not intend
to retain Belgium. But we must be
safeguarded against Vaccinations and
against utilization of Belgium as the
jumping off place of the enemy"
IF. therefore, the proposal came
from the opposing side, for example
from the Havre government (Belgiar
governmerit1. We should not take VI
an antagonistic attitude even tho dis
cuss;or might at first be unbinding.'