The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-27
German Imperial Chan cellOr Again Plays on Words Before the
 Reichstag
STRENGTHENS HANDS
 OF MILITARY PARTY
 BY IRONICAL TALK
Accepts Wilson's Principles and Proceeds to Prove Them Idealistic and
 Unavoidable

Washington, February 26. Count Won Hertling's speech in the Reichstag yesterday, con- tinuing the discussion of the war aims of the belhgerent powers, has not changed the situation in the opinion of high officials here. Instead of malx- ing an advance toward peace, it is regarded rather as deliber- ately calculated to strengthen the hands of the German mili- taristic party by endeavoring to convince the German proleta- riat of the impracticable na- ture of President Wilson s aims as disclosed in his last address to Congress on Febru- ary II.
 While stating his readiness to ac- cept the Presidents four fundamental principles for basis of peace, the German chancellor dismissed them as idealistic and unavoidable by insisting that they must depend for their ap- plication upon the realization of con- ditions which cannot be met. In tho official view his treatment of the sub ject was ironical and designed for very different ends than the advance ment of peace.
 mThere will be no immediate formal comment upon this latest contribution to the debate on war aims and peace aspirations Experience has taught of- ficials that important qualifications are to be found usually in the full text of the speeches of the spokesmen of the central powers
 Attention was directed by officials to President Wilson's former charac- terization of the German chancellor's utterances as very vague and confus- ing" and 1t was said that the Presf- dents comment had a very peculiarly
 
 terday, in which Won Hertling signi- fled his fundamental agreement with President Wilson's four principles.
 President Wilson. in his last address to Congress, said of the chancellor's speech delivered few days before:
 His discussion and acceptance of our general principles lead him to no practicable conclusions He refuses to apply them to the substantial items settlement"
 REPORT OF SPEECH
 Amsterdam, February 26--Following is full report of Chancellor Won Hert- lings speech yesterday in the Reich- stag:
 After few preliminary remarks by Dr.. Herman s. Paasche, vice president Of the Reichstag, and the first reading of the budget Count Won Hertling arose and said:
 'The Rechstag has right to receive an explanatory statement in regard to the foreign situation and the attitude of the government concerning 1t. l will meet the obligation arising therefrom. even though I entertain certain doubt as to the utility and success of diatribes
 
 of belligerent countries.
 WANT DISCUSSION
 "Mr Runciman in the House of Com mons recently expressed the opinion that we would get much nearer peace if. instead of this, responsible rep resentatives of the belligerent powers would come together in an intimate meeting for discussion. I can only agree with him that that would be the way to remove numerous intentional misun- derstandings and compel our enemies to take our words as they are meant, and on their part also to show their colors cannot. at any rate. discover that the words which l spoke here on two occasions were received in hostile countries collectively, and without sub jectivc prejudice. Moreover. discussion in any intimate gathering alone can lead to understandings on many uncertain
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