The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-26
PEACE LEAGUE

statements which have since reached
us, especially from America. These
statements. indeed, made it really
clear what is to be understood from
of peoples from the maintenance of
freedom and justice. !
Peace League Would Hurt Germany.
"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 I'M
comfortable upward strivings of Ger
many and by economic strangulation
to extinguish her vital breath.
Il considered it as against this,
quite proper that the foreign secre-
tary make a statement on the details
of our political position in the east
from Finland to the Black sea and
| in my opinion he fulfilled the task
| thoroly."
ION the other hand" continued
Count Won Hertling, some of his
statements were given more or less
| unfriend1y reception in wide circles"
The chancellor said he would not
So into the question of the RESPONSE
bility for the war. There are already
testimonies that Germany was not to
blame" he added.
Must Fight On.
IT feel obliged to clear away the
misunderstanding which, it seems, we
obtained in the Interpretation Of the
| second part of the state secretary's
statements" he continued. The
tendency of these utterances of the
state secretary was purely to ascribe
the responsibility for the continuation
and immeacurable prolongation of
this terrible war to the enemy pow
! ers entirely in the sense I had indi-
Gated on February "a, for it goes
without saying there can be no ques-
ton of lessening our energetic de-
| Tense or our will, or OF shaking our
confidence in victory"
| me Und Colt" Again.
Stormy applause followed this ut
terance by the chancellor.
| Now, as BEFORE" he added, "the
ruler of the empire. the princes and
the people stand closely and confidently
! together. They trust in our incom-
parable 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 to victory,
will reward this faithful German peo-
pie"
Centrist Opposes Won Hertling.
Regret was expressed by Deputy
Groeber, Centrist, that the utterances
OF the foreign secretary were still as
blood-thirsty. as ever. He added:
Nevertheless. I believe we have
hatred. German war aims offer no
obstacle to a truce of God"
Count Won Westarp, Conservative,
said that the words of the foreign sec
rotary regarding responsibility for the
| war alarmed him and that DIR. Won
Kuehlmann's declaration did not
strengthen the will to peace.
Abroad" he said, they will, fear,
regard it as new peace offensive.
An appeal to the good will of Eng
land is useless"
Won Kuehlmann Replies.
Secretary Won Kuehlmann made a
general reply to the criticism raised in
the debate. He said the most difficult
question in the conclusion of a peace
would be territorial questions and pro-
ceeded to deal in some detail with the
notifications that would be required
by Austria Hungary and Bulgaria.
Discussions between the two Central
Powers would offer no difficulties. y
Difficulties in Balkans.
The secretary referred to the diff
ficulties of settling the frontier ques-
tons between Turkey and Bulgaria
owing to the sentimental grievances
left by the Balkan war and said that
Germany and Austria had done their
best to establish a compromise. The
sooner compromise can be reached,
he added, the sooner final transfer
| OF Northern Dobrudja to Bulgaria can
occur and the better it will be for the
interests of the entire alliance. He
added:
The establishment of a compro-
mise between Turkey and Bulgaria
will require thoro deliberations be-
tween the allies. It would be very
pleasing If an agreement between Bull
garia and Turkey relieved us of this
task
Regarding Rumania, the foreign
secretary observed that criticism had
been evoked because Germany had
demanded no war indemnity in money
1or in the economic domain Such an
indemnity was not provided for in the
instructions to the negotiations added
the secretary who continued:
Rumania Will Pay Enough.
"Rumania has however, under the
group of treaties submitted to you
to render very considerable services
to Germany even in the way of money.