Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-26
Won KUEHLMANN CHARGES
RUSSIA STARTED WAR
German Foreign Secretary Attempts
to- State Central Powers War
Aims to Reichstag.
WORLD DOMINATION UTopIAN
Declares Germany Wishes for Itself
and Its Allies Free, Strong, Indc-
pendent Existence Within historic
boundaries, and Freedom of Seas.
tBy Associated Press. J

tbS Associated Press
AMSTERDAM. June 25.-Germany's
war aims were briefly set forth. the
idea that she desired to secure world
domination through the war dsclaimed
| and the responsibility for the conflict
primarily placed upon Russia by Dr.
Richard Won Buchanan. the German
Foreign Secretary, in speech to the
Reichstag in Berlin yesterday. While
declaring that what WAS desired for the
German people and their allies was n
free. strong. independent existence
within the boundaries drawn for them
by history. the Foreign Secretary said
Germany would have to decline to
make any prior concessions by stating
her position as to Belgium in way
which would bind her without SINH
larry binding Germany's enemies.
Referring to the responsibility for
the war. as he viewed it, Or. Won
ku-himaNn said: Il do not believe any
responsible man in Germany. not even
the Emperor or the members CT the
imperial government. ever for a mo-
ment believed they could win the domi-
nation IN Europe by starting this war
The idea OF world domination in Eu-
rope is utopian. as was proved by Ma
poleon."
CHARGE THAT RUSSIA
PLANNED GREAT CONFLICT
After declaring that the revelations
that had been made showed Russia as
the power which planned and desired
the war. with France abetting her and
England's attitude strengthening Rus
sia's desire for conflict, DR.. Won Kuehl-
mann again declared that Germany had
not entertained any belief that this
war could lead even to the domination
OF Europe, and much less that of the
world.
In introducing his statement OF the
German war aims, the Foreign Min
lister said Il consider IL necessary to
say quite simply. and in way easy
20. all to understand. what our posi-
tive desires are.
I'VE wish for the German people and
our allies a free. strong. independent
existence within the boundaries drawn
fo- us by history. We desire overseas
possessions corresponding to our great
ness and wealth; the freedom OF the
sea. carrying our trade 10 all parts of
the world"
These. in brief" added the Foreign
Secretary. are our roughly sketched
aims. the realization of which is alb
so!utely vital and necessary for Ger
many"
MAKE NO STATEMENT
AS TO BELGIUM NOW
Regarding Belgium. the Foreisn
Secretary said: I'VE decline TO make.
as II were. a prior concession by Civ
ing statement on the Belgian ques-
;!on which would bind US without in
the least binding the enemy"
With reference TO the peace ques-
ton, Or. Won Kuehlnann quoted from
former Premier Asqulth's speech OF
May &c, in which he said that the
British government would not turn
deaf ear TO a peace proposal if it was
not couched in ambiguous terms.
We likewise can make the same
declaration" added the Foreign Sec
Rotary. knowing it 10 be also our
policy.
once the moment arrives-when
care not TO Hrophesy-that the nations
which are q; present locked in battle
VII! exchange peace views. one of the
preliminary conditions must be certain
degrees o. mutual confidence in each
others honesty and chiva!ry."
so LONG AS OvERTCREs ARE
DENouNCED WAR WILL. GO on
For SO long" continued Dr. Won
krehlnann. as every overture is re-
garded oy others as peace offensive.
as a trap or as something false. for
me purpose Of sowing d!sunion be-
tween allies; so long as every attempt
AZ rapprochcmcnt is at once violently
denounced ty the enemies of rap
procurement in the various countries. so
long "!ll u be Impossible to see how
any exchange OF ideas leading TO peace
can be begun
In View Of the magnitude Of this
war and the number of powers, !nclud-
ing them from overseas. that are en-
gagged. it's end can hardly be expected
through purely military decisions alone
and without recourse 20 diplomatic ne
sotiat.ons."