New-York tribune., 1918-08-22
Colonial Secretary Gives
Pledge That Nation Will
Not Misuse Power
Ralfour Programme
Is Called "Selfsh"
lJpholds Right to Work Out
Brest Treaty Terms in
"Their Own Way"

AMSTERDAM. Aug. 21. - Discussing
Gennsny's Russian policy and the
Brest-Litovsk treaty, DR.. W. S. Solf,
German Secretary of State for the
Colonies, said to-day that Germany
would not misuse her power in the
East, according to advices from Berlin
He declared that the German work
ne classes were becoming conscious
of the fact that the retention of Ger
mauy's colonies was a vital question.
He said that Germany desired to COM
promise regarding colonial questions
m basis that these possessions shall
correspond to the economic strength of
the nations.
Referring to the recent address by
A. J. Balfour, British Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs. DR.. Solf
said:
aHe formally announced Great Bri-
tain's claim for the annexation of our
colonies and did not hesitate to ad-
vance, on moral grounds. this claim for
annexation. He not only concerns him
self as to our colonial methods. but
goes into high politics with all sails
set Mr. Balfour, in his speech, an
uounced the British creed. which
amounts to representing Britain's right
to world domination as something self
evident and morally annihilating Ger
msny's claim to be a great power"
Defends MAILED Fist"
Declaring that Mr.. Balfour's accusa-
ton against Germany demanded re-
ply. DR.. Solf continued:
"Mr. Balfour asserts that intel
ectual Germany is dominated by the
mailed fist doctrine. Here there are
chauvnistic iingoes, people who wor-
ship the eternal yesterday and anx-
ously and without understanding
await the approach OF new era. Re
fore the war these people formed
small group without political influence
on the government, which constantly
eombated them. During the war
their number, indeed, increased, not
because the struggle for German su-
premacy IN the world had taken deeper
root, but because their ranks were
swelled by numerous sober and So
hcltous patriots.
Among these are many who be-
lore the wa held high ideals about an
understanding of peoples. good will
hons, but whose political creed broke
Gown under the experiences of the war.
Where does the blame lieo No
"here but in the spirit which animates
cur enemles-that spirit which is a
oisaonor and has turned to scorn the
grand ideal OF a league of nations bv
Simultaneous demand for commercial
war against Germany.
II believed that the spirit which
at present seems to prevail in England
ana which speaks clearly in Mr.. Bal
tour's speech and which was mani
Iested against US in the Pemberton-
biliing case-if l had to believe that
ms spirit would always have the up
per hand in England. then also wos5d
sdVocate that the war should be fought
10 the death.
I i am, however, firmly convinced that
before the end of the war comes an in
'ellectual revulsion must and will su-
ferVene against this knockout spirit;
otherwise the realization of league of
nations remains Utopian war aim
Mr.. Balfour first mentions Bel
glum. How small part regard for
belgium plays in the plans of the En-
.ente is most clearly shown by an ex-
!act from the American press, which
tsngland's Minister of Propaganda,
Northcllffe, printed with enthus astic
approva IN one of his papers"
DR.. Solf cited a statement from "Thc
new York Times" that Germanys att-
Mae toward Belgium was unimportant,
tne Allies would drive the Germans