Evening star., 1918-01-25
Russian Situation.

|
nomically advantageous.
"One result, gentlemen, might be re-
corded ,as you all know. The Russians
last month proposed to issue an inVl-
tation to all the belligerents to par
ticipate In the negotiations. Russia
submitted certain proposals Of a very
general character. At that time we ac-
cepted the proposal to invite the bel
ligerents to take part in the negotla-
tions, on the condition, however, that
the invitation should have definite
period for its acceptance. At 10 O'Clock
on the evening of January 4, the period
expired. No answer had come, and. as
a result, we were no longer under obli-
rate peace negotiations with Russia.
Neither were we longer bound, OF
course. by the general peace proposals
submitted to US by the Russian delega-
ton"
Negotiations Resumed.
The chancellor opened his: address
with a reference to his last speech
before the committee, January 3. when
he said the country was confronted
with the incident which had occurred
at Brest-LitovSk.
Il then expressed an opinion" said
the chancellor. that we should await
a settlement of this incident with all
equanimity. The facts have justified
me. inasmuch as the Russian delega-
ton has again arrived at Brest-
Litovsk and the negotiations have been
resumed.
"They are slowly progressing. but
are extraordinarily difficult. l pointed
out on the former occasion the cir
cumstances causing this difficulty
Doubt often arose, indeed, whether the
Russian delegation was in earnest with
its peace negotiations. All kinds OF
wireless messages which were ira
versing the world with their highly
strange contents might strengthen this
doubt"
Discusses Two Replies.
Instead of the reply which was ex-
pected, but which was not forthcom-
ing" Chancellor Won Hert1ing con-
tinued. 1.-TWO declarations were made by
enemy statesmen - Premier Lloyd
Georges speech and President Wilson's s
speech. l willingly admit that Mr.
longer indulges in abuse and appears
desirous of again demonstrating his
ability as a negotiator, which had
formerly doubted. 1 cannot go so far.
however, as many opinions which have
been expressed in neutral countries
which would read in this speech of Mr..
Lloyd George serious desire for peace
and even a friendly disposition.
1T is true he declares he does not de-
sire to destroy Germany. and never de-
words of respect for our political, eco
nomic and cultural position. But other
utterances also are not lacking, and
the idea continually comes to the sur
face that he has to pronounce judg-
Nent on Germany, charging her with
being guilty Of all possible crimes.
That is an attitude with which we can
have nothing to do and in which we
can discover no trace of a serious pur-
pose to attain peace. We are to be the
ar yyh jS
now sitting in judgment. That COM
pels me to give a short review of the
situation and the events preceding the
war, at the risk of repeating what long
ago was said.
Alliance With Austria.
"The establishment Of the German
empire in the year 1871 made an end
Of dismemberment By the union of
its tribes the German empire in Eu-
rope acquired position corresponding
to its economic and cultural achieve
ments and the claims founded thereon.
Bismarck crowned his work by the al
lance with Austria Hungary. 1t was
Conceived and wilied by the ex-
allied allies from the first. Not even
the slightest thought of its misuse for
aggressive aims ever occurred in the
course of decades. The defensive al
lance between Germany and the Dam
ube monarchy, closely connected by old
traditions and allied to US by common
maintenance of peace.
But Bismarck had even then, as he
was often reproached for having, an
obsession in regard to coalitions, and
events of subsequent time have shown
it was no vision Of terror. The danger
of hostile coalition which menaced the
allied central powers often made its
appearance. BY King Edwards isola-
tion policy the dream Of coalition be-
came a reality. The German empire, pro-
crossing and growing in strength, stood
in the way of British imperialism. In
French lust of revenge and Russian as
pirations of expansion this British i'm
perialism found only too ready aid
Thus future plans dangerous for US
were formed.
Danger on Two Fronts.
"The geographical situation of Ger
many in itself had always brought
near to us the danger of war on two
fronts, and now it became increasingly
visible. Between Russia and France
an alliance was concluded whose par
ticipants were twice as numerous as the
population of the German empire and
Austria-Hungary. Republican France
lent the Russia of the czar billions to
construct strategical railways in the
kingdom of Poland in order to facili-
tate an duVdHC0 dsdlHSl U.s. Lie TcnCn
republic drew on its last man for three
years of service. Thus France, with
Russia. built up ornaments extending
to the limit of the capabilities of both,
thereby pursuing aims which our en-
emies now term imperialistic.
Armament for Protection.
at would have been neglect of duty
had Germany remained a calm spec
<,ff ic md ma Nya ant leo
endeavored to create an armament
which would protect us against future
enemies. l may. perhaps, recall that I
as a member of the reichstag very fire.
quently spoke on these matters. and,
| on the occasion of new expenditure on
armament, pointed out that the German
people, in consenting to these, solely
desired to pursue a policy of peace, and
such ornaments were only imposed
upon us to ward off the danger threat