The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-02
HUN WAR aims.
FULL TEXT OF CHANCELLOR Won
HERTLING'S REMARKS BE-
FORE THE REICHSTAG
MONDAY.
Offers No Definite Plan But Sees Some
Good i'm Wilson's and Runciman's
Suggestions But He Rejects Both.


full report Of Chancellor Won Hert-
ling's speech yesterday in the Reich
stag. After a few preliminary re-
marks by DR.. Herman S. Paasche, vice
president Of the Reichstag, and the
first reading of the budget, Count Won
Hertling arose and said:
THE Reichstag has a right to re
ceive an explanatory statement in re-
gard to the foreign situation and the
attitude of the government concern
ing it. 1 will meet the obligation aris-
ing therefrom, even though / enter
tain certain doubts as to the utility
and success Of dialogues carried on b.
ministers and statesmen Of belliger-
ent countries.
Mr.. Runciman in the House of
Commons recently expressed the opin-
ion that we would get much nearer
peace it, instead of this, responsible
representatives Of the belligerent
powers would come together in an
intimate meeting for discussion. |
can only agree with him that thar
would be the way to remove numcr-
Gus intentional and unintentional mis-
understandings and compel our enc
mics to take our words as they are
meant and on their part also to
show their colors. 1 cannot at any
rate discover that the words which /
spoke here on two occasions were re-
ceived in hostile countries objective
~ and without prejudice. Moreover,
discussion in any intimate gathering
| alone could lead to understanding on
many individual questions which can
| really be settled only by compromise
1T has been repeatedly said thai
we do not contemplate retaining Bel
GUM, but that we must be safeguard
ed from the danger of a country wit,
which We desire after the war to live
in peace and friendship, becomine
the object or the jumping-off ground
of enemy Vaccinations. If, therefore
proposal came from the opposinf
side, for example. from the govern
ment in Havre, we should not adop
an antagonistic attitude, even though
the discussion at first might only bc
unbinding.
Meanwhile, it does not appear as i
Mr.. Runciman's suggestion has 3
chance Of assuming tangible shape
and / must adhere to the existins
methods of dialogue across the chan
mel and ocean.
Adopting this method, 1 readil,
admit that President Wilson'S mes
sage of February II represents, per
\ maps, small step toward a mutua
rapprochement, l therefore, pass Over
the preliminary and excessively Ions
declaration in order to address my
self Immediately to the four princi
pies which in President Wilson,
opinion must be applied in a mutua
exchange of views.
"The first clause says that each
part of the final settlement must bc
based upon essential justice of thai
particular case and upon such adjust
ments as are most likely to bring a
peace that will be permanent.
who would contradict this? Thc
phrase coined by the great father of
the church, Augustin, 1900 years ago
--Jusitia fdndamentum regnorum'-
is still valid today. Certain it is that
only peace based in all it's parts on
the principles of justice has a pros
pect of endurance.
THE second clause expresses tbc
desire that peoples and provinces
shall not be bartered about from SOW.
ereignty to sovereignty as if the,
were mere chattels and pawns in ?
game-even the great game, now for
ever dscredited, of the balanco y.
power.
This clause. too. can be uncondj-
tlonaliy asSentcd to. Indeed on
wonders that the president OF tbc
United States considered il rocess,, -,
to emphasize it anew. This clans
contains a pOlemic against condition.
long vanished, views against cahino
politics and cabinet wars, againsf nv
Ing state territory and princely anr
private property, which belong IN
past that is far behind us.
Il do not want to be discourtaous
put when ON" remembers the Garlic
uttcranccs Of President Wilson. ON
mirht think that he is laboring unde
the illusion that there cxists i. g..