New-York tribune., 1918-07-13
Chancellor Tells Reichstag
of Germany's Yearning
for End of War
Wants Proposals
Made to Germany
Admits Grave Doubts Exist
Concerning Situation Pre-
sented i'm Russia

AONDON, July 12.-Debate on the
general political situation was opened
in the Reichstag Thursday by Imperial
Chancellor Won Hertling, who discussed
the retirement of DR.. Richard Won
kuehlmann, the German Foreign Sec
retary, the foreign policy Of the gov.
ernment and the economic problems
which had arisen because of recent de-
velopments in the East. According to
German official wireless message re-
ceived here, the Imperial Chancellor
said:
81 maintain the standpoint of the i'm
perial reply to the peace note of Pope
Benedict. The pacific spirit which in
spired this reply has also inspired me.
At the time, however, added that this
spirit must not give our enemies free
conduct for an interminabe continue
tion of the war.
What have we lived to see. however? i?
While for years there can have been
no doubt whatever Of our willingness
to hold out our hand toward an hon
last few days melting speeches deliv
cred by enemy statesmen President
Wilson wants war until we are de-
stroyed, and what Mr. Balfour, the
British Secretary of State for Foreig,.
Affairs, has said, must really drive the
flush Of anger to the cheeks of everv
German.
Insults. He Says
"We feel for the honor of our father
land and we cannot allow ourselves to
be constantly and openly insulted in
this manner. Behind these insults is
the desire FOR our destruction. AS long
as this desire for our destgnetion ex-
lists we must endure, together with our
faithful nation.
81 am also convinced---I know it
that in the widest circles of our ma
tion the same serious feeling exists
everywhere. AS long as the desire for
our destruction exists we must hold
out, and we will hold out, with con-
fidence in our troops, in our army and
administration and our magnificent
nation, which bears SO wonderfully
these difficult times with their great
privations and continuous sacrifices.
"In the direction Of our policy
nothing will be changed II, in spite of
these hostile statements by these
statesmen, any serious efforts for a
paving of the way to peace were to
show themselves anywhere, then, quite
certainly, we would not adopt mega
tive attitude from the very beginning,
but we would examine these seriously
meant say expressly scriously-ef
forts Immediately with scrupulous care.
"Naturally, it is not sufficient when
some agent or other approaches Us and
says to us, 4 can bring about peace
negotiations, then and there.s But it is
necessary for the appointed repre-
sentatves Of the enemy powers, duly
authorized by their governments, 70
give US to understand that discussions
being naturally will be within linn
tied circle.
Discussed Before Kaiser
"But the statesmen who have spoken
up to the present time have not said
word about such possibilities When
such possibilities manifest themselves,
and when serious inclinaticns toward
peace show themselves on the other
side, then we will Immediately go into
them. That Is to say, we will not re-
jcct thenl-and we viii! speak, to begin,
within small circle.
IL also can tell you that this stand
point is not merely my own standpoint.
but that it is shared emphatcally bv
rhe chief Of the army administration.
The ciiief OF the army administration
also does not conduct var for the sake
OF war, Eut has said to me that as soon
IS serious desire for peace manifests
itself on the other side we must follow
it w.
"You will be interested to know how
we are working on this standpoint and
certain problems Will appear which the
present time forces upon us. Exhaust
i've discussions took place regarding
these questions on July and 2 at gen.
eral headquarters under the presidency
of the Kaiser.
Naturally, can only announce here
quite generally the lines which were
laid down at that time. Regarding the
East, we stand on the basis of the peace
OF brcst-Lltovsk. and we wish to see
this peace carried out in a loyal man
ner. That is the wish of the German
imperial administration, and it is sup
ported in this by the chief of the army
a administrations
GuCcEIAIH ABOUT Russia
However, the difficulty of the exc
cuton of the peace of Brest-Litovsk
does not lie on our side, but in the
fact that conditions in Russia are still
exceedingly uncertain. We are in
clined to believe in the loyalty Of the
present Russian government, and espe-
cially in the loyalty of the representa-
tive of the Russian government in Ber-
lin.
"Eut we may not and cannot assume
that the present Rus
sian government has the power to carry
through everywhere the loyal promises
made to us. We do not at all wish to
create difficulties for ths present Rus
sian government, but as conditions now
are there are incessant DEVELOPMENTS
and endless frictions in the frontier
region. However, our principle is that
we stand on the basis of peace made
at Brest-Litovsk, and we will carry out
this peace Loyalty, and will deal Loyalty :
with the present government.
"They are still under the depressing
influence of a terrible crime in Mos
COW. The murder of our ambassador !
there was an act in violation of inter