The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-27
FULL TEXT OF THE
RECENT ADDRESS
or Won HERTLING
RECEIVED HERE
Discusses in Detail the Re-
cent Speech of Presi-
dent Wilson
SMALL STEP TOWARD
REINFORCEMENT
Says Belgium Will Be Civ
en- Tee6om and Swiss
Neutrality Observed
CBy Associated Press-O

10y associated PFesS.)
Amsterdam, Feb. 27.-Following is
formal report Of Chancellor Won
Hertling's speech yesterday in the
reichstag:
After a few preliminary remarks
by DR.. Hermann S. Paasche. vice
president of the reichstag and the
first reading of the budget, Count Won
Hertling arose and said:
The retchstag has a right to re-
ceive an explanatory statement in
regard to the foreign situation and
the attitude OF the government con-
corning it. will meet the obligation
arising therefrom, even though I
entertain certain doubts as to the
ried on by ministers and statesmen
of belligerent countries.
Mr.. Runciman In the house of
commons recently expressed the
opinion that we would get much
nearer peace il, instead of this, re-
sponsible representatives Of the
belligerent powers would come to-
gether in an intimate meeting for
discussions. / can only agree with
him that that would be the way to
remove numerous Intentional and I'M
intentional misunderstanding and
compel our enemies to take our words
also to show their colors. / cannot,
at any rate discover that the words
which l spoke here on two occasions
were received in hostile countries OBJ
jectively and without prejudice.
Moreover, discussion in an intimate
gathering alone could lead to under
standing on many individual ques-
tons which can really be settled only
by compromise.
1T has been repeatedly said that
we do not contemplate retaining Bel
GUM, but that we must be safeguard
ed from the danger of a country with
which we desire after the war to live
in peace and friendship, becoming the
object or the jumping-off ground Of
Cnemy Vaccinations. If, therefore,
a proposal came from the opposing
side, for example, from the govern
ment in Havre, we should not adopt
an antagonistiC attitude, even though
the discussion at first might only be
Meanwhile it does not appear as
if Mr.. Runciman's suggestion has a
chance OF assuming tangible shape,
and / must adhere to the existing
methods Of dialogue across the chan
mel and ocean.
Adopting this method, readily
admit that President Wilson's mes
sage OF Feb. IL represents, perhaps,
g. small step toward a mutual rap
I therefore pass over
the preliminary and excessively. long
in order to address my
self immediately TO the four
principles which, in President VIII |
sons opinion, must be applied in a |
mutual exchange of views.
The first clause says that each |
part of the final settlement must be |
based upon the essential justice Of
that particular case and upon such |
as are most likely to
bring a peace that will be perman-
"Who would contradict this? The
phrase coined by the Great Father
Of the church, Augustin, 1900 years
ago 'justitia fundamentum
-egnorum'-is still valid today. Ger
ain it is that only peace based in all
is parts on the principles Of justice
mas prospect Of endurance.
The Second Clause.
The second clause expresses the
desire that peoples and provinces
shall not be bartered about from
to sovereignty as if they
we're more chattels and pawns in a
game, even the great game now for
sver discredited, of the balance Of
power.
''This clause, too. can be uncondi-
ionally assented to. Indeed, one,
wonders that the President of the
United States considered 1t necessary
o emphasize it anew. This clause
contains a polemic against conditions
onR since vanished views against
abinet politics and cabinet wars,
.gainst mixing state territory and
,rincely and private property, which
'elong to a past that is far behind
Is.
81 do not want to be discourteous,
nut when one remembers the earlier
Itterances of President Wilson, one
night think that he is laborinE under
he illusion that there exists in Ger
1any an antagonisul between an
.utocratic government and mass of
eople without rights.
And vet President Wilson knows
s. at any rate, the German edition
4 his book on the state proYes-Ger-
aan political literature and he knows
therefore, that with us princes and
are the highest mem |
ers Of the nation as whole, |
rpanized in the form. of a state, thei !
ighest members, with whom the :
nal decision lies. But, seeing that ]
hey also, as the supreme organs,
elonR to the whole. the decision is !
( such nature that only the well /