The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-01-31


them most energetically.
But l may leave the answer tc
Mr.. Wilson's proposals on these
points in the first place to the Aus
ro-Hungarian foreign minister,
Close contact with the allied dua'
monarchy forms the kernel Of oul
present policy and must be the
guiding line in the future. Loyal
comradeship in arms, which has
stood the test so brilliantly in war
times, must continue to have its
effect in peace. We shall thus on
our part do everything for the at
tainment of peace by Austro-Hun-
gary which takes into account her
just claims.
THE matters touched by Mr..
Wilson in point thirteen concern our
loyal, brave ally Turkey. / must in
no wise forestall statesmen in their
attitude. The integrity of Turkey
and the safeguarding of her capital,
which is held closely with the
question of the straits, are important
and vital of the German Empire also.
Our ally can always count upon our
energetic support in this matter.
Polish Question.
Point thirteen deals with Poland.
1t was not the Entente-which has
only empty words for Poland and be-
fore the war never interceeded for
Poland with Russia-but the Ger
man empire and the Austro-Hun-
garian monarchy who liberated Po-
land from the czaristic regime which
was crushing her national character
istics. 1t may thus be left to Ger
many and Austria and Poland to
come to an agreement on the future
constitution of this country. AS the
negotiations and communications of
the last year prove, we are on the
road to this goal.
''The last point, the fourteenth,
deals with a bonT of the nations.
Regarding this point, I am sympa-
thetically disposed, as my political
activity shows, toward every idea
which eliminates for the future a
possibility or a probability of war
harmonious collaboration of nations.
If the idea of a bond of nations, as
suggested by President Wilson,
proves on closer examination really
to be conceived in a spirit of complete
justice and complete impartiality
toward all, then the imperial govern
ment is gladly ready, when all other
pending questions have been settled,
to begin the examination of the
basis of such bond of nations.
Gentlemen, you have acquainted
yourselves with the speech of Pre-
mier Lloyd George and the proposals
of President Wilson. 1 must repeat
what 1 said at commencement: We
now must ask ourselves whether
these speeches and proposals breathe
a real and earnest wish for peace.
May Aid Negotiations.
"They certainly contain certain
principles for a general world peace,
to which we also assent, and which
might form the starting point and
aid negotiations.
when, however, concrete quest
ions come into the question, points
which, for we allies, are of decisive
importance, their peace, will be less
observable. Our enemies do not de-
sire to destroy Germany, but they
cast covetous eyes on part of our
allies land. They speak with re-
spect of Germany's position, but their
conception ever afresh finds express
sion as if we the guilty who must
do pennance and promise improve
ment. This speaks the victor to the
vanquished; he who interprets all
our former expressions of a readiness
for peace as merely sign of weak
ness.
''The leaders of the Entente must
first renounce this standpoint and
this deception. In order to facilitate
this, would like to recall what the
position really is. They must take
it from me that our military position
was never so favorable as it now is.
Our highly gifted army leaders face
the future with undiminshed con-
fidence in victory. Throughout the
whole army, in the officers and the
men, lives unbroken the Joy of bat
tie.
Il will remind you of the words
spoke November 20, in the Reich