River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-31

take from us territory Oh tue empire
which ever increasing intimacy has
linked itself to Germanism, which has
in highly gratifying manner ever and
increasingly developed in an economic
respect, and of whose people more
than 81 per cent speak the German
mother tongue.
"The questions dealt with by Mr..
Wilson under points nine, ten and
eleven, touch both the Italian frontier
questions and questions Of the future
development of the Austro-Hungaria
monarchy and the future of the Bal
kan states, questions in which, for
the greater part, the interests Of our
ally, Austria-Hungary, preponderate.
Where German interets are concerned
we shall defend them most energet-
ically.
"The matters touched upon by Mr..
Wilson in point IL concerns our loyal,
brave ally, Turkey. | must in no wise
forestall her statesmen in their atti-
tude The integrity of Turkey and
the safeguarding of her capital, which
is connected closely with the question
of the straits, are important and vital
interests of the German empire also.
Our ally can always count upon our
energetic support in this matter.
Says Teutons Liberated Poalnd.
Point 10 deals with Poland, it was
not the Entente-w which had only emp
ty words for Poland and before the
war never interceded for Poland with
Russia-but the German empire and
the Austro-Hungarian monarchy who
liberated Poland from the Czaristic
regime which was crushing her ma
tional 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 negotiations and
communications Of the last year prove
we are on the road to- this goal.
The last point, the fourteenth,
deals with bond of the nations.
Regarding this point, | am sympa-
theticalIy disposed, as my political
activity shows, toward every idea
which eliminates for the future
possibility or probability of war and
will promote a peaceful and harmo-
nious collaboration of nations. If
tho idea of a bond of nations, IS
suggested by President Wilson,
proves on closer examination really
to be conceived in a spirit of COM
plete justice and complete impair
TALLY toward all, then the imperial
government is gladly ready, when all
other pending questions have been
settled, to begin the examination OF
the basis of such a bond Of nations.
Doubtful of Sincerity.
Gentlemen, you have acquainted
yourselves with the speech. of Pre-
mier Lloyd George and the propos-
ais of President Wilson. | must re-
peat what | saw at commencement:
We now must ask ourselves whether
these speeches and proposals breathe
a real and earnest wish for peace.
They certainly contain certain prin-
ciples for a general world peace, to
which we also assent, and which
might form the starting point and
d1u negotiations.
When, however, concrete questions
come into the question. points which,
for we allies, are of decisive i'm
portance, their peace will is less OBJ
servable. Our enemies do not desire
to destroy Germany, but they cast
coyetous eyes on parts of our allies
lands. They speak with respect OF
Germany's position, but their con-
ceptiOn, ever afresh finds expression
as if we were the guilty Who must
do penance and promise, improve
mont. Thus speaks the victor to the
former expressions of a readiness for
peace as merely sign of weakness.
Calls Proposals Deceptive.
IF the leaders of the enemy pow
ers really are inclined toward peace,
let them revise their program once
again, or, as Premier Lloyd George
said. proceed to reconsideration
Seeks Lasting Peace.
If they do that and come forward
with fresh proposals, then we will
examine them carefully. because our
aim is no other than the re-establisl-
ment of a lasting peace.
AS to our purpose, gentlemen, we
are all one.
Certain of Victory.
Let us hold together the govern
ment and the nation, and victory will
be ours. A good peace will and
must come.
The German nation bears in all
admirable manner the sufferings
and burdens of war, which now is
in its fourth year. In connection
with these burdens, and sufferings,
think especially of the sufferings of
the small artisans and the lowly
paid officials. But you ALL men and
women, will hold on and see it
through.
With your political knowledge, yor
do not allow yourselves to be fooled