Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-28

Washington, Feb. 2e.-Count Won Hert-
ling's speech In the Reichstag yesterday
continuing the discussion of the war aims
of the belligerent powers has not changed
the situation in the opinion of high off,
cials here. Instead Of marking an ad-
vance toward peace. 1t is regarded rather
as deliberately calculated to strengthen
the hands of the German militaristic
party by endeavoring to convince the Ger
man proletariat Of the impracticable ma
ture Of President Wilson's aims as dis
closed In his last address to Congress on
February II.
White stating his readiness to accept the
Presidents four fundamental principles
for a basis Of peace, the German chancel-
lor dismissed them as idealistic and un-
workable by insisting that they must de-
pend for their application upon the reali-
cation Of conditions which cannot be met.
In the official view his treatment of the
subject was ironical and desiged for very
different ends than the advancement Of
peace.
There will be no immediate formal COM
ment upon this latest contribution to the
debate on war aims and peace aspira-
tons.
Attention was directed by officials to
President Wilson'S former characterize
ton Of the German chancellors utterance
as Every vague and confusing" and 1t
was said that the Presidents comment
had a peculiarly apt application to the
speech Of yesterday.
Amsterdam. Feb. fisherman Chan
cellor, Count Won Hertling. in con-
GLIDING his speech before the Reichstag
yesterday, said:
ut has been repeatedly said that we
do not contemplate retaining Belgium.
but that we must be safcguarded from
the danger Of a country which we de-
sire after the war to live in peace and
friendship. becoming the object or the
jumping of ground Of enemy me-
CARNATIONS. II, therefore, a proposal
came from the opposing side. for ex-
emple from the government in Havre.
we should not adopt an antagonistic
attitude, even though the discussion at
first might only be unbinding.
Meanwhile It does not appear as II
Mr.. Runciman's suggestion has chance
Of assuming tangible shape. and I must
adhere to the existing methods OF dia-
logue across the channel and ocean.
WHAT Won HERTLING ADMITS.
Adopting this method. readily ad-
nit that President Wilson's message
Of February II represents. perhaps,
small step towards a mutual rapproch-
ment. therefore address myself i'm
mediately to the four principles which
in President Wilson's 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 par
ticular case and upon such adjustments
as are most likely to bring peace that
will be permanent.
"Who would contradict this? Certain
1t Is that only peace based in all Its
| parts on the principles Of justice thas a
prospect of endurance.
THE second clause expresses the desire
that peoples and provinces shall not be
bartered about from sovereignty to SOW
| ereignty. as II they were mere chattels
and pawns in a game, even the great
game, now forever discredited. Of the
balance Of power.
This clause too, can be uncondition-
| ally assented to.
Then, finally. at the close Of the Sec
ond clause, the game Of the balance OF
power Is declared to be forever discredited
| We. too. can only gladly applaud.
1.-THE third clause. according to which
this war must be made in the interest and
for the benefit Of the populations con-
cerned. and not as part of any mere
adjustment or compromise Of claims
among rival states. Is only the application
Of the foregoing in a definite direction. OF
a deduction from 1t. and is therefore in
cluded in the assent given to that clause
snow, in the fourth clause. he demands
that all we'll defined national aspirations
shall be accorded the utmost satisfaction
that can be accorded them without in
Producing new or perpetuattng old
elements of discord and antagonism that
would be likely In time to break the peace
Of Europe and consequently OF the world
Here, also. I can give assent In principle
and I declare. therefore with President
Wilson, that a geenral peace on such a
basis is discussable.
! NOT FROM U. 8. ALONE.
"Only one reservation is to be made
These principles must not be proposed by
the President of the United States alone
but they must also be recognized definite
ly by all states and nations. President
Wilson seems to me in his flight OF ideas
to have hurried far In advance of existing
realities.
Certainly a league of nations erected
upon justice and mutual unselfish ap'
preciation-that would be an aim devoutly
to be desired.
COURT OF NATIONS PREJUDICED
But that aim d,as not yet been reached
There does not yet exist a court Of arbi-
tration set up by all nations for the
safeguarding Of peace in the name Of JUS
tice. When President Wilson incidentally
says that the German chancellor is speak
ing to the court of the entire world,