The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-23


the London evening newspapers on
the speech of Prince Maximilian be-
fore the reichstag is summed up in
this comment by the Evening Stan
dard:
There is much vague talk, but
nothing else
Copenha gen, Oct. 22.-Peace con-
versations between Berlin and Wash
ington have reached a critical point,
according to Prince Maximilian, the
German imperial chancellor speaking
before the reichstag yesterday. In the
course of his address he urged that
debate on the situation arising in ex-
change of notes between himself and
President Wilson was restricted as
much as possible. The whole Ger
man people is anxious to hear the
views of the government regarding the
prospects of peace" he said, but I
am able to speak only with the great
est reserve and urge that the men,
bers of the reichstag limit debate as
is consistent with the seriousness of
the hour. The whole German people
have been spoken to by President Will
son and this fact gives the utterances
of the representatives Of all parties
added force"
To-day. therefore, 1 am going to
tiOnal situation:
1.-The presidents first answer to the
peace move of the German govern
ment has in all countries brought the
questions of a peace of justice or a
peace of violence to the highest point"
he continued.
Secs Another Note.
president Wilson's last note did
not make clear to the German people
how this public agitation will end. His
next answer will perhaps bring defin-
lite certainty. Until then we must IN
all our thoughts and i'll our actions
prepare for both eventualities-first
that the enemy governments are anx-
ious for war, in which case there is no
choice for us but put ourselves in a
posture of defense with all the
strength of our people driven to- the
last extremity. -
SHOULD this necessity arise. shsve
no doubt that the German government
in the name of the German people will
issue a call for national defense in the
same way that it spoke for the Ger
man people when it took action for
peace. He who honestly took a stand
on the basis of peace will also under
take the duty of not submitting to a
peace of violence without a fight The
government which would act other
wise would be left to the mercy of the
fighting and working people. 1t would
people" Must Ask.
'"There is also another possibility.
The German people must not be
blindly brought to the conference ta-
bic. The German people today has
the right to ask, if peace is realized
on the basis of President Wilson's con-
ditions, what they mean for our fu-
ture. Our answers to the president s
question must be framed on the Ger
| man peoples understanding of that
| question. What it now wants is clear
ness.
The decision will be of stupendous
import. 1t will not be our strength
that will decide but it will be what
| is thought to be right in free discus
sion with our opponents that will give
the decision. This is a great effort for
! proud people accustomed TO victory.
| The legal questions involved will not
stop at our national boundaries which
will be never of our own accord open
| for violence.
Means Submission.
| THE principles upon which we have
agreed as rule of conduct also in
Volve internal questions. From ma nv
quarters it has been represented to me
that an acceptance of President Will
sons conditions would mean submis-
slon-anti-Ge German submission-to an
| tl-German court of Justice which
| from the viewpoint of it's own inter
ests- If that is the case, why then II
| II the extreme apostles of force in the
entente fear the council chamber as
the guilty fear the court of justice?
| The essence of President Wilson's
program for league of nations can
not be achieved when all peoples have
not the right of national self deter
mlnation. This realization of COM
munlty law means the abandonment OF
part of the unqualified independence
which hitherto has been the indication
OF sovereignty both by US and others
should We at home maintain as fun.
Edamental the national egoism which
until short time ago was the domin.
iatlng force of the peoples life. there
would be no restitution and no renova.
ton for US. There would be a feelins
of bitterness which would cripple u.
for generations.
Talks of Justice.
But if we comprehend that the sig
nificance of this frightful war is. above
iall victory for the idea of justice ant
iif we do not resist this idea but sub
init with all good faith, then we shall
find it in a cure for our presen
wounds and reservoir of futur,
strength"
Prince Macmillan said that h,
would not deny that heavy opposition
liz Germany must be conquered befor'
the ideal league of nations could b.
| realized but he continued, "Whethe
the next few days or weeks shall cal
US to fight on, or open the way t.
;peace there is no doubt We are nov
equal to the task of either war o
peace by carrying out the govern
) ment's program and definitely break
ling away from the old system
The imperial chancellor then dis
: cussed electoral and parliamentary re
forms. He cited bills before tn
reichstag one of which enables mem
bers of the house to enter the govern
4, ment without resigning and anothe
: proposing a change in the laws re
CONTINUED en- Page Two.)