The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-09-27
NUN WOULD PROTECT"
THE SMALLER NATIONS
SAYS HIS CONSCIENCE IS
CLEAR ON THIS SUBJECT
Won HERTLING AGAIN

Amsterdam, Sept. 25.-Count Won
Hertling, the Imperial German
Chancellor, in continuing his speech
criticizing adversely the position of
the allies in refusing the alleged
peace overhurls of the Imperial
German government said:
Regarding the question of arbi-
tration my standpoint has long been
history. will not go into details
but interesting material which |
have before me shows that Germany
in the past repeatedly suggested ar
bitration of disputed questions, the
carrying out Of which in several
cases, however, was prevented by
opposition raised in Great Britain
a.or America. ii an international un-
Sderstanding could be reached that
disputed questions of law between
various states must always be sub
mitted TO TFbitration courts, and ii
this were made obligatory for mem
bers OF u league OF nations, it would
undoubtedly be an important step
toward the attainment OF the gen
eral aim. More precise prescrip-
tions, especially regarding requisite
guarantees for the recognition OF
verdicts made by arbitration, need
careful and thorough consideration.
Freedom of the Seas.
Il have expressed myself before
this on the freedom OF the seas,
which forms necessary Yre-re-
quisite for the unrestricted inter-
course OF states and peoples. Here,
however, the greatest difficulties,
naturally, are not raised on our
side. On former occasion, | point
ed out that there must be unhind-
cred access for all nations to the
inland seas, no predominant posi-
ton OF Great Britain at Gibraltar
and Malta and in the Suez canal.
= An English newspaper has
called this impudence.
Finally, there is protection for
smal! nations. Here we can forth
with and without reserve, state that
in this matter we have an entirely
clear conscience. May, we therefore
consider a league OF nations no
dream OF the future, may the idea
deepen, and may the people in all
countries zealously concern them
selves with the means for its es-
tablshment. The first and most
important prerequisite will be an
energetic will to champion peace
and justice.
He Hates Democracies.
Here | will close my remarks.
The foreign secretary will deal with
the political situation in more de-
tail and discuss especially in that
connection the we'll known Austrian
note and the reception it has met
with up to this time on the part OF
the enemy.
"Those in power in the so-called |
democratic states have with preci-
pitance, and without consulting
their peoples. exhibited 4 curt atti
tude OF rejection. BY so doing they |
once again show where the passion
for conquest, where imperialism and
militarism are in reality to be
sought
London, Sept. 2-,-(Tuesday)-
harceIor Won Hertling in the course
OF his speech before the reichstag
main committee, vigorously de-
Tended Germany's action toward
Belgium, He admitted that in in
vading Belgium, Germany trans
gressed the written law, but he said:
AS for individuals 50 is there
also for states, another law. That
is the law of self-defense.' He re-
peated the German contention that
there were grounds for the fear that
the enemy would invade Belgium
and referred to alleged proof from
Belgium archives of Belgium's 'du-
bious neutrality,' He also alluded
to offers OF peace to Belgium before
the invasion and again after the cap
ture OF Liege which Belgium re-
fused to entertain.
IL all future fighting, between the
east and west, the imperial chancel-
or said, it would be solely 4 ques-
ton OF defense.