Askov American., 1918-02-28
HertlIng Says Germany Accepts
Wilson'S Four Principles as
Basis for Peace Farley.
ONE CONDITION MADE
Declares All Peoples Must Endorse
Offer and That Goal Of World
Arbitration Court Has Not
Been Reached.

Amsterdam, Feb. 21.-The imperial
;erman chancellor, Count Won Hert-
ling, speaking before the Reichstag.
made this declaration.
Il can fundamentally agree with
the four principles. which in Presi-
dent Wilson'S view must be applied
in mutual exchange OF views. and
thus declare with President Wilson
that a general peace can be discussed
on such basis.
only one reserve need be made
N this connection: These principles
must not only be proposed by the
President of the United States. but
also must actually be recognized by
all states and peoples"
But this goal has not yet been
reached. There is still no court Of
arbitration established by all the ma
tions for the preservation Of peace in
the name Of justice. When President
Wilson incidentally says that the
German chancellor is speaking to the
tribunal Of the entire world, | must
decline this tribunal as prejudiced,
joyfully as l would greet it, if an i'm
partial court of arbitration existed
and gladly as would cooperate to
realize such ideals.
Unfortunately, however, there is
no trace of similar statements on the
part Of the leading powers Of the
Entente. England's war aims are
still thoroughly imperialistic and she
wants to impose on the world a
peace according to Englanad's good
pleasure.
Challenges Britain's Claim.
"The world is longing for peace"
the chancellor said. "but the govern
ments of the enemy countries again
are inflaming the passion for war.
There are, however. other voices to
be heard in England; 1t is to be
hoped these voices will multiply.
THE world now stands before a
final decision. Either our enemies will
decide to conclude peace-they know
on what conditions we are ready to
begin a discussion or they will con.
tinue ne insanity by their criminal
war Of conquest"
lie continued: "Our people will
hold ont further, hut the blood Of the
fallen, the .gonies Of the mutilated
and the distress and sufferings of peo-
pies will fall on the heads of those
who insistently refuse to listen to the
voice of reason ard humanity"
The Four Principles.
The four principles outlined by
President Wilson in his address of
February Il, referred to by Count
Won llertling, the German chancellor,
in his speech before the Reichstag
are:
First, that each part of the final
settlement must be based upon the es,
eeNtial Justice of that particular case
and upon such adjustments as are
most likely to bring a peace that will
be rormanent
Second. that peoples and provinces
are not to be bartered about from
sovereignty to sovereignty as if they
were mere chattels and pawns in the
same. even the great game. now for.
ever liscredited. of balance of power:
but that.
Third. every territorial settlement
invCl"ed in this war must be made in
the interest and for the benefit of the
population concerned. and not as a
part Of any mere adjustment or com
promise of claims amongst rival
states, ard.
Fourth. that all we'll defined ma
tional aspirations shall be accorded
the utmost satisfaction that can be
accorded them without introducing
new or penetrating old elements OF
discCrd and antaeonism. and that
you'd be likely in time to break the
peace of Europe and consequently the
peace of the world.
"a Senral peace erected upon sucs,
foundations can be discussed. Until
such d peace can be secured we have
no choice but to go on. So far as we
can Judge. these principles that we
regard as fundamental are already
everywhere accepted as imperative
except among the spokesman Of the
military anneXationist party In Ger