The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-10-24
TO RESIST PEACE
OF VIOLENCE
German Chancellor Tells Reich
stag Of Peace Offensive.
TALKS MUCH, SAYS LITTLE
Willing 20 Shear Kaiser of War Pow
err when League of Nations is
Formed"

Formed"
Copenhagen, Oct 24-Peace con-
versations between Berlin and Wash
ingtun have reached a critical point,
according to Prince Macmillan. the
imperial chancellor, speaking before
the reichstag.
He made announcement of Il bill
making the reichstag responsible for
war and peace, the measure TO be-
come effective when the project for
a league of nations should become
operative.
The whole German people is an
xious TO hear the views of the govern
ment regarding the prospects OF
peace" he said; but | am able to
speak only with the greatest reserve
and urge that the members of the
reichstag limit debate, as is consistent
with the seriousness of the hour.
The whole German people have
been spoken TO by President Wilson
and this fact gives the utterances OF
the representatives of all parties add
ed force.
To-day, therefore, 1 am going TO
say only this regarding the interna-
tional situation:
"The presidents first answer to the
peace move of the German govern
ment has in all countries brought the
question of a peace of justice or
peace of violence to the highest point.
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 defl-
mite certainty. Until then we must
in all our thoughts and in our actions
prepare for both OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
that the enemy governments are anxl-
Gus for war, in which case there Is
no choice for US but to put ourselves
in posture of defense with all the
strength of our people driven to the
last extremity.
"Should this necessity arise, l have
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
German people when it took actlon
for peace. He who honestly took a
stand on a basis of peace will also
undertake the duty Of not submitting
to a peace of violence without hight.
The government which would act
otherwise would be left to the mercy
of the fighting and working people. 1t
would be swept away by public opin-
ion.
There is also another possibility.
The German people must not be blind
" brought to the conference table.
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 presidents
question must be framed OH the Ger
man peoples understanding of that
question. What it now wants is clear
ness.
THE decision will be Of stupendous
Importance 1t will not be our
strength that will decide, but it will be
what is thought to be right in free
discussion with the opponents that
will give the decision. This is great
effort for a proud people accustomed
to victory The legal question in
volved will not stop at our national
boundaries, which will be never OF
our own accord open for violence.
al
agreed as Il rule of conduct also in
wolves internal questions. From many
quarters it has been represented to me
that an acceptance of President VIII
sons conditions would mean Submis-
sion-anti-GermGn SubmiSSion-to an
anti-German court of justice which
would decide legal questions entirely
from the viewpoint of its own inter-
eSts If that is the case, why then is
it the extreme apostles of force in the
entente fear the council chamber ms
the guilty fear the court of justice?'
The chancellor said it was tha aim
of himself and his colleagues TO es-
tabish the political authority of the
German people. He welcomed express
SiOnS of opinion and he and his col
leagues were agreed as to Methods
adm purposes
The German people has long been
in the saddle" he said. Nov is 1t to
ride.
Our first and last thought is for
the brave men who are defending
themselves against superior forces
aud whom we must defend against
unjust charges. No one must think
he can attack our army without also
attacking the honor of our people.
"The lot of our soldiers is terribly
hard They fight with anxiety for the
home land and with their minds fixed
on peace and they hold their ground"
Speaking of the powers to be vest
ed in the reichstag under the terms of
the new measure the chancellor said
the bill provided for the compulsory
embodiment in the constitution of tho
fundamental idea of the new form of
government.