Evening journal., 1918-07-15
HUNS SEE Peace
MOVE VIA HERTU|NC
Now No Obstacle TO End.
ing of War, "Frankfurter
Zeitung" Declares
SWEDES BOLSTER
GERMAN CLAIMS


Won Hertling's pronouncement on Bel
glum Is regarded In high German politi.
cal circles, says a despatch from Ber.
lin, as merely concrete statement oi
the position long maintained by the
German government, namely, that Bel.
glum is only pawn for Germanys use
at the peace table. The despatch adds
president Wilson's speeches had
given the world the idea that Germany
hoped TO retain Belgium and because OF
this q concrete statement was deemed
necessary. o-~
German officials take II for granted
that Germany will bo compensated for
the return Of Belgium by getting bacl,
all her colonies and obtaining free
routes TO them.
''The fate OF Belgium" according TO
these officials, depends upon whether
the Entente tries to enforce a policy
Of taking away the Germin colonies and
in cutting Germany of from the out
side world, then Germany VIII not sur
render Belgium"
Chancellor Won Hertllng's declara-
tion regarding Belgium Is great step
In advance" says the FraDkfurter
"Zeitung." Enemy statesmen the
the newspaper continues, cannot IN
terpret II as the British Foreign Secre-
tary Balfour did the chancellOr's Feb
ruary speech by indicating that Ger
many intends 10 make Belgium sub
servient to herself by means Of COM
mercial, territorial and military condl-
tions. There now Is no obstacle on
Germany's side TO the ending Of the
war"
The 'Vosslsche Zeltung" says "Chan-
cellor Won Hertllng's statement on Bel
gium was made with a delniteness
which always hitherto has been lack
Ing. The chanoellor's thorough expo
sltlon of his conception OF the Belgian
problem viii silence chatter about |
German statesmen being Intentionally |
silent on this subject or expressing
themselves with studied obscurity."
"Germania" says: Belgium Is the
most important question raised by
the war, and with the chsnceAor's clear
statement regarding II. the internal
political situation can now be consid-
cred as no longer strained"
Neutrals, however, do not see such
plain sailing for the Germans to get
the kind OF peace they desire. The
Amsterdam TELEGRAPH says:
1T Is as II burglar says TO tho
Judge: I will return part Of my booty
II you acquit me- The judges reply to
such a criminal would be the came as
will be the Ententeis reply to Hertling.
Chancellor Won Hertling's declara-
ton Is really another step backward for
he said nothing regarding the military
relations between Germany and Bel
glum nor regarding the so-csned inde-
pendence OF FLANDERS. Hertlings only
object In putting out this declaration
Is to be able TO say TO his people:
You see, we have done our utmost /
rs regards concessions without avail.
Jan you still doubt that you are Tight
ng for your very existence against the
oe who is determined TO destroy you? ?"
Dispatches from Stockholm state that
D treating with what Is characterized
s Germanys new peace offensive, the
candinayian newspapers give great .
romlnence TO Berlin dispatches pic I
lring Germany as ready for peace and ]
ealing particularly with the imperial I
1ancellor's alleged renunciatlon Of I
elglum. Some OF the newspapers also G
olster up the German peace scheme I
y printing dispatches from Swltzer- {
md and other points In an endeayor TO I
how that the Entente countries are In
receptive mood for peace.
The Social Demokraten," Of this (
ity, the organ OF Hialmar Branting,
ormer minister OF finance, publishes
oday In large type a translation Of an
ppeal made by the French Socialist
'Copagni Generate Du
Travail" The Social Demokraten"
kinks "this is very important docu-
nent, as it proves the existence among
/ large section OF the French labor cir
les Of desire for an honorable peace
)y understanding.
The "Svenska Morgenbladet," OF
features a Berne despatch
giving the text Of an appeal sent to
President Wilson by the Geneva Com
nittee for Obtaining a Genuine Peace"
This appeal asks President Wilson ito
AXE serious consideration OF the Ger
nan chancellor's speech and OF the
repeated assurance that he
lgrees with the four concrete condi-
ions as recently laid down by Presl-
lent Wilson as the basis for peace by
The appeal urges President Wilson
o start peace negotiations on this
'asls immediately.