Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-31

! German empire may we'll theoretically
support her.
Continuing the chancellor said;
Point ID deals with Poland. It was not
entente-which had only empty words for
Poland and before the war never inter.
seeded for Poland with Russia-but the
German empire and the Austro- Hungarian
monarchy who liberated Poland from the
Czaristic regime which was crushing her
national characteristics. 1t may thus be
left to Germany and Austria Hungary and
Poland to come to an agreement on the
future constitution Of this country. AS the
negotiation and communications Of the
last year prove, we are on the road to
this goal
The last point. the 14th. deals with a
bond of the nations. Regarding this point,
am sympathetically disposed, as my
political activity shows, toward every
idea which eliminates for the future a
possibility or probability Of war and will
promote peaceful and 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 COM
plete justice and complete impartiality
toward all. then the imperial government
10 gladly ready, when all other pending
questions have been settled. to begin the
examination Of the basis Of such a bond
of nations.
Gentlemen, you have acquainted YOUR
selves with the speech of Premier LLOYD
george and the proposals of President
wilson. must repeat what said at COM
mencement: We now must ask ourselves
whether these speeches and proposals
breathe a real and earnest wish for peace
Ihey certainly contain certain principles
Tor general world peace. to which we
also assent. and which might form the
starting point and aid negotiations.
When, however. concrete questions
come into the question. points which
FOR we allies, are of decisive import
ance, their peace will is less observable,
our enemies do not desire to DESTROY
Germany, but they cast covetous eyes
on parts of our allies lands. They
speak with respect Of Germany's posi-
ton. but their conception. ever afresh.
finds expression as II we were the
guilty who must do penance and
promise. improvement. Thus speaks
the victor to the vanquished; he who
interprets all our former expressions
OF readiness for peace as merely a
sign OF weakness
THE leaders of the entente must
/ first renounce this standpoint and this
deception. In order to facilitate this
l would like to recall what the posi-
ton really is. They may take 1t from
me that our military position was not
SO favorable as It now is Our highly
gifted army leaders face the future
with undiminished confidence in VIC
u, ho
the officers and the men, lives un-
broken the joy Of battle.
! II will remind you Of the words
spoke November 20 in the Reichstag
| Our repeatedly expressed willingness.
for peace and the spirit Of reconcilia.
ton revealed by our proposals must
not be regarded by the entente as Q
license permitting the indefinite
lengthening of the war. Should oui
enemies force us to prolong the war
they will have to bear the consequence.
resulting from 1t.
If the leaders of the enemy powers
really are inclined toward peace, LEI
them revise their program once agar
or. as Premier Lloyd George said. pro
coed to reconsideration"
London, Jan. pa Vienna dispatch t.
the Exchange Telegraph company says
that Count Czernn, foreign minister, ir
an address to the Reichsrath, said Austris
had decided to continue peace negotiations
with Russia on a basis of no lamentations
and no indemnities. He said an ex.
change of views between America and
Austria Hungary might form starting
point for conciliatory discussion among
all the states.
Basil. Switzerland, Jan. PA dispatch
from Vienna says that during an ad
dress to the delegations Of Parliamen,
Count Czernin, the Austro- Hungarian for
eign minister. declared that he consid
cred President Wilson'S last propositions
regarding peace as showing a perceptibl,
approach to the Austro- Hungarian poin,
Of view.
There were. he said, several points Il
which Austria Hungary joyfully coult
subscribe, but that the following prin
ciple first must be laid down:
That where these propositions con
cerned Austria Hungary's allies, as In tn,
case of Germany in Belgium. or Turkey
Austria Hungary was faithful to her ALI
ances and would fight to the end for tn,
defense of her allies.