Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-25
Friday. January Is, 1918.
Germany Ready for Peace?

Addresses on world peace were de-
livered today by Count Won Hertling,
,Ae German chancellor, and by Count
Czernin, the Austrian premier. both of
whom expressed sentiments shorn of
the uncompromising tone that has
characterized most Of the previous
utterances on the subject that have
emanated from those sources. The
Austrian premier comes out openly
and declares that his country and
America are virtually in agreement re-
sarding the great principles for new
arrangements after the war.
Won Hertling, commenting on the IA
points in the program for world peace
set forth in President Wilson's address
to congress, said an agreement could
be obtained without difficulty on the
first four points. But as to the others
he held that some difficulties would be
met with. The question of the limita-
ton Of ornaments was quite open to
discussion. he said. and that the tinan-
cial position of all European countries
after the war would probably operate
most effectively for the solution OF this
problem, The chancellor declared
there was no difference between Ger
many and the United States regarding
the freedom of the seas. but main
tanned that it was emineutly import
ant for future free navigation that
England should be made to relinquish
her strongly fortified points OF support
on international sailing routes.
Alsace Lorraine is held to be almost
purely German territory, and it in in
dictated that it will not be surrendered
without a struggle. The chancellor
holds that Germany never demanded
the incorporation of Belgian territory
by violence leaving the inference that
tie kaiser will Withdraw his armies
from that invaded country and per-
haps make financial reparation for
some Of the Outrages committed there.
The chancellor said that the state of
Poland would be decided by Germany
and Austria Hungary. When all other
questions had been settled. he added,
Germany would be ready to discuss
the question of league of peace.
The first four points in President
Wilson's speech respecting which the
German chancellor said an agreement
could be reached without difficulty re-
lated to abolition Of secret diplomacy
free navigation of the seas outside
territorial waters. subject to interna-
tional laws, removal Of economic bar
riors and establishment of equal
trade conditions among nations, and
reduction Of ornaments. The fifth
point in regard to which the chan
cellor said some difficulties would be
encountered with provided for impair
tial adjustment of all colonial claims
based upon the principle that the in
terests of the population concerned
must have equal weight with the
claims of the government whose title
is TO be determined.
The German chancello" has made
proposals that doubtless will be taken
advantage of by the allied governments
in answers that may afford hope of an
earlier termination of the war than
there has been any expectation of
Germany for the first time has con-
descended to see some virtue, some
reasonableness. something besides
bluff. in the principles enunciated by
President Wilson in respect to res
toration Of world peace. What has &C.
casioned the sudden change of heart
On the part OF official Germany is thus
far without explanation, but there is
a growing belief that the Berlin gov
eTnment has ceased to look forward to
Surfing with the confidence that it en-
iertaned before it came to realize the
fo midableness Of the force that the
United States was getting to the other
side and it may have been further in
ducei toward peaceful talk by the
prospect OF renewal of hostilities on
the part OF the Russians.
~ any rate. Germany has made a
big move towards the goal all Christ
endom is hopeful of seeing attained
before many months. If the Berlin
government is sincere in the repre-
scItaticns that have been made
through Chancellor Hertling, and they
may be accepted at their face value by
the enemy governments Of that en-
Dire. nothing is let to prevent the bel
ligerents getting down on the ground
floor and talking matters over hon
estly and in such spirit that will
compel early suspension of hostilities
and insure the world against~another
such international slaughter.
--