The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1918-01-31


only again expressly accentuate the
| fact that there can never be a ques-
| ton of ACKNOWLEDGMENT of imperial
territory.
AGAINST Dismemberment.
Under no fine phrases of any kind
| shall we permit the enemy again to
| take from us territory of the empire
which ever increasing intimacy has
linked itself to Germanism, which has
in highly gratifying nj ever and
increasingly developed in an economic
respect, and of whose people more
than 81 per cen 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-H Hungarian
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.
1.-The matters touched upon by Mr.
Wilson in point II concerns "a 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 O
energetic support in this matter.
Says Teutons Liberated Poalnd.
Point IL deals with Poland, it was
not the Entente-which had only emp
ty words for Poland and before the
a nsve interceded for Poland with
| Russia-but the German empire ana
the Austro-Hungarian monarchy who
liberated Poland from the Czaristic
regime which was crushing her pa
t.onal 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 a bond Of the nations.
Regarding this point. am sympa-
,hetically disposed, as my political
activity shows, toward every idea
which eliminates for the future a
possibility or probability of war and
I will nrnn>nfa N naonafpI ond harypn-
nious collaboration of nations. II
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.
| rlctc justice and complete imrar-
TALLY toward all. then the imperial
government is gladly ready. when all
other pending questions have been
settled, to begin tAe 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 commandments:
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, 90
which we also assent, and which
might form the starting point and
aid negotiations.
when, however, concrete questions
L emma fnfn the nnnufinn nn,pfc ~hNrss
for we allies, are Of decisive I'M
p%ortance. their peace win Is less OBJ
servable. Our enemies do not desire
to destroy Germany, but they cast
covetous eyes on parte of our allies
lands. They speak with respect or
Germany's position, but their con.
ception, ever afresh, finds expression
as If we were the guilty WHO must
do penance and promise. improve
mcnt. Thus speaks the victor 10 tine
vaDquished. he who interprets all our
former expressions of a readiness for
peace as merely a sign Of weakness.
Calls Proposals Deceptive.
III the leaders of the enemy pow
ers really are inclined toward peace.
~ ~ thCh PEOefAul OASo
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 han the re-establis'i-
ment of a lasting peace.
AS 60 u purpose. gentlemen, we
are all one
Certain Of Victory.
Let US hold together the govern
ment and the nation, n victory will
be ours. A good peace will and
must come.
"The German nation bears in an
admirable manner the sufferings
and burdens of a war, which now is
In its fourth year. In connection
with these burdens, and sufferings, I
think especially of the sufferings of
the small artisans and the lowly