The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-25

The German premier's address is
couched in the language of a victor
ious general and Ii is noted that
nowhere does he specifically aban-
don the claim for indemnity and ter
ritory. In fact. from the cabled ao-
stract. IL appears that he has be-
come even more uncompromising and
militaristic in his position.
The remuneration by Count
Czernin, the Austrian premier, OF
any claim against Russia for in
demnity or annexation. It is noted,
does not extend to other nations.
Considering that Germany has un-
dertaken to dominate the Russian
Balkan provinces and that the CEN
trail powers already have recognized
the independence Of Ukraine, thus
constituting a buffer state between
Russia and Austria. it is easily per-
ceiVed that Austria is making no
special sacrifice in this remuneration.
AS for Poland. the declaration that
the population would decide its own
fate. is read here in the light Of the
action already taken by the central
powers to set up a sham kingdom OF
Poland which in reality is nothing
more than a dependency Of Aus
tria and Germany.
One Point Of Resemblance. d.
Attention has been directed to the
fact that there is a singular re-
semblance between Won Hertling's
statement that the terms outlined by
President Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George contain certain principles
which could be accepted by Germany,
but the concrete proposals were I'M
satisfactory" and President Wilson's
81 q vaaa "a -
posed by the central powers, as IAN
outline Of settlement which IL much
less definite, seemed susceptible of
liberal Interpretation until their
specific program Of practical terms
was added. That program presented
no concessions at all, either to the
sovereignty of Russia or to the pref
erences Of the population with whose
fortunes 1t dealt, but meant, in q
word, that the empires were TO keep
every foot OF territory their armed
forces had occupied.
In making this comment President
Wilson suggested that the liberal
statesmen of Germany who had con-
ceived the first general principles Of
the peace offer had been overcome by
the military leaders, when it came to
a precise statement Of aims.
Sharp Differences.
That the sharp difference between
the belligerents over Alsace- Lorraine
continues, is evident from Chancellor
Won Hertling's speech for his declara-
ton that there could be no talk of
the cession Of Alsace-Lorraine" is
the answer to Lloyd Georges demand
that these provinces must be permit
ted to decide their own fate and to
President Wilson's expressed state
NEST in the eighth point of his four
teen peace aims, that "the wrong
done to France by Prussia in 1871 in
the matter of Alsace-Lorraine
should be righted".
While the German premier appears
to commend President Wilson's dec
laration in favor Of freedom Of the
seas he passes without comment over
the very important condition in Mr..
Wilson's statement which denies
such freedom to nations which may
break treaties and require punish
ment by other nations. This condi-
ton was expressly framed to meet
the case Of a country like Germany,
which brings on an unjust war and
therefore denies Won Hertling's de-
mand for free navigation during
time Of war as well as in peace.
The German premier's concise
statement that the question of Rus
sian evacuation concerns only Ger
many and Russia Is in direct con-
fiict with President Wilson's sym
pathetic expressions in regard to
Russia as we'll as his precise de-
mands that the people Of occupied
territories may arrange their own
future.