Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-09-27
.HERTL|NG BABBL|NG
PEACE WHEN TALKING
NOWADAYS IS FUTILE
Chancellor Says He Is Ready
to Negotiate on Basis of VIII
sons Fourteen PointS-Bul-
garia May Make Peace Move

AMSTERDAM. Sept. 25.-Chancellor
Won Hertling says he is ready for peace
based, in principle, upon President Will
sons fourteen points.
This statement. according to advices
received here today, was made in the
chanoellor's speech to the main commit
tee of the reichstag yesterday.
The chancellor declared he had evinc-
ed such readiness in his speech of Feb
ruary IS, to which, however, he pointed
out that Wilson has not replied.
Members of the main committee are
reported to be dissatisfied with Won
Hertling's speech, considering it I'M
equal to the gravity of the situation.
Party leaders of the reichstag were to
meet this morning to decide their atti'
tude toward Won Hertling.
I'm regard to President Wilson's four
teen points my speech of February IS
showed that l agreed, in principle, with
a peace on such a basis, but Wilson has
not answered that speech" the chancel-
lor said.
Favors Vote Reform
I'VE desire general disarmament and
freedom of the seas. The foreign secre-
tary will discuss the political situation,
particularly the Austrian note"
Won Hertling said he would energet-
ically support the Prussian franchise re-
form and, If it appears impossible, to
attain the desired result by the usual
parliamentary methods he will employ
"other constitutional means"
Won Hertling yesterday declared that
while the military situation is grave
there is no reason for the German peo-
pie to feel disheartened
Before the committee convened, So
cialists adopted a policy favoring the
July peace resolution, restoration of
Serbia and Montenegro, a public state
ment by the government regarding res
toration of Belgium, cancellation OF the
Brest-Litovsk treaty and, IL necessary,
autonomous government for Alsace-Lor-
raine. The Centerists voted to support
Won Hertling.
Notes Discomfort
"As you are aware, deep discomfort
has seized upon wide circles of the pop
ulation. on account of the sufferings and
deprivations the war has brought" the
chancellor said. I do not intend to try
to diminish this by pressure OF words,
but if this discomfort is influenced by
events on the western front 1 must de-
clear il far exceeds justifable limits.
"Our last big offensive did not bring
the success we hoped The army COM
mand found itself forced to withdraw to
the so-called Siegfried line. The situa-
faint-hearted. We have already passed
through harder times
To-day we have peace with Russia
and Rumania and although conditions in
Russia are not clear and the future is
uncertain, nevertheless the menace from
two sides have been removed, allowing
the employment of our eastern army on
the west front.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg and
General Won Ludendorff will show them
selves equal to the occasion. The enc
my's premature cries of victory will
soon die away.
Transgressed Law
From the first day we have urged a
war of defense We invaded Belgium
only to defend ourselves. 1t is true that
we transgressed the written law but, as
for individuals, so there is for states,
law of defense. We had grounds to be-
Iieye that if we did not act quickly the
enemy would invade US"
You have read Premier Clemenceau's
speech, which seemed, in fantastical
hatred and coarseness of mind, to sur
pass everything hitherto achieved" said
Won Hertling.
But in America it has found a many
voiced echo. The allies assert they are
fighting to protect oppressed nations,
but the century-old sorrows and justified
grievances of Ireland nowhere find hear
Ing-not even in America, which is &C
uuainted with them through numerous
Irish emigrants.
How will the German people behave
in the face of all of this? Will they
beg for mercy, in fear and trembling?
No! Remembering their great past, they
will stand erect and will not cringe nor
grovel"
SOCIALIST PROGRAM
INSPIRED BY HUNS
LONDON, Sept. 25.-There is good
reason to believe that the program
adopted by the Social Democratic fac
ton of the reicbhstag at its meeting on
Monday was not only inspired by the
German government, but actually en-
bodies Germany's peace terms, according
to Rotterdam advices to the Telegraph.
The dispatch pointed out that the part
of the program referring to interna-
tional arrangements as distinct from
internal reforms was discussed soon
after the failure of the German Often
sive and when it became apparent that
Germany's prospects were hopeless.
The resolutions adopted by the Social
Democratic party included the unre-
stricted Endorsement of the reichstag
peace resolution of July, 1917. 1t also
declared in favor of Germany joining
a league of nations baseo or a peaceabie
settlement of all disputes and general
disarmament.
There was an inoffensive declaration
on the Belgian question, on the restora'
ton of Belgium and on an understand
ing regarding indemnities and restora-
ton for Serbia and Montenegro and a
declaration that the peace treaties of
Brest-Litovsk and Bucharest must not
hinder the conclusion of peace. 1t was
urged that civil administration over all
occupied territories be given upon the
conclusion of peace to democratic par
liaments which are to be established
forthwith.
Autonomy for Alsace and Lorraine
was also provided for in the resolution
which also declared for universal, equal,
secret and direct suffrage for all the
German federal states.
It is said that the Prussian landtag
will be dissolved if equal suffrage does
not result without delay from delibera-
tions of the committee of upper house.
GERMANY STILL READY
FOR PEACE-voN HINTzE
AMSTERDAM. Sept. 25.-Germany
maintains her readiness for peace, not
withstanding repeated ; reflections OF
peace offers from the central powers, de-
clared Admiral Won Hintze, the German
foreign secretary, in addressing the
reichstag main committee.
Speaking of the recent Austrian peace