The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-01-25

mands freedom of shipping on the
seas in war and peace. This also y
| demanded by Germany as the hrs'
and one of the most important re-
lquirements for the future. Therefore
there is here no difference of opinion
The Limitation introduced by Mr. Will
son at the end, which | need not quote
textually, is not Ineligible, appears
superfuous and would. therefore. best
be left out. (The limiting clause
reads: Except as the seas may be
closed in whole or in part by inter
national action for the enforcement
of international covenants.) 1t would,
however, be highly important for the
freedom of shipping in the future, II
strongly fortified naval bases on i'm
portant international routes, such as
England has at Gibraltar, Malta,
Alden, Hongkong, the Falkland islands
and many other places, were removed.
Point 81 We, too, are in thor
ough accord with the removal Of eco
tnomic barriers which interfere with
I trade in superfiuous manner. We, too,
condemn economic war, which would
inevitably bear within 1t causes OF fu-
| ture warlike complications.
Point 4: Limitation of armaments.
As already declared by us, the idea of
| Limitation of armaments is entirely
discussable. The financial position of
all European states after the war
might most effectively promote q sat
isfactory solution. (Cries of Hear!
Hearty 1t is, therefore, clear that an
understanding might be reached with
out difficulty on the first four points
| of Mr.. Wilson's program.
Il now come to the fifth point-set-
tlement of all colonial claims and dis
putes. Practical realization of Mr..
Wilson's principles in the realm Of
reality will encounter some difficul-
ties in any case. believe that for
the present it may be left for Eng
land. which has the greatest colonial
empire, to make what she will of this
proposal of her ally. This point of
the program also will have to be dis
fcussed in due time. on the reconstitu-
tion of the worlds colonial possess
sions, which we also demand abso-
|lutely.
Point 6: Evacuation of Russian
territory. Now that the entente has
refused within the period agreed upon
by Russia and the quadruple alliance
to join in the negotiations, l must, in
the name of the latter. decline to al
low any subsequent interference. We
are dealing here with questions which
concern only Russia and the four al
that with recognition of self determi-
nation for the peoples on the western
frontier of the former Russian en-
pire, good relations will be established
both with these peoples and with the
rest of Russia, for whom we wish
most earnestly a return of order,
peace and conditions guaranteeing the
welfare Of the country.
Point z: Belgium. My predeces-
sor In office repeatedly declared that
at no time did the annexation of Bel
GUM to Germany form a point in the
program of German policy. The Bel
gian question belongs to those ques-
tions the details of which are to be
settled by negotiations at the peace
conference"
Are a Valuable Pawn.
SO long as our opponents have not
unreservedly taken the standpoint
that the integrity of the allies terri
tory can offer the only possible basis
of peace discussion, / must alhere to
adopted and refuse the removal in
advance of Belgian affairs from the
entire discussion.
Point s. The occupied parts of
France are a valuable pawn in our
hands. Here. too. forcible annexation
forms no. part of the official German
policy. The conditions and methods
OF procedure of the evacuation, which
must take account of Germany's vital
interests are to be agreed upon be-
tween Germany and France. I can
only again expressly accentuate the
eact that there can never be a ques-
ton of dismemberment of imperial
territory"