The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-25
Chancellor Does Not Abandon
ImperiaIistic Claims.
Washington Pessimistic as TO
Effect on War Aims.
READ MUCH BETWEEN LINES
AIsace-LOrraine Continues as
Greatest Peace Barrier.
Hertling Evades Meaning Will
son Gave "FreedOm of Seas"

Washington. Jan. 25.-Based on the
short cabled outlines of the speeches
of the German and Austrian premlefS
10 their respective parliaments, the
opinion is expressed by officials mere
that no substantial advance TOWARDS
the final peace sought by all pelllger-
ents has resulted from these decial
tionS. 1,.
II is tr1le that expressions of Count
Czernin. the Austrian premier, appear
to be more conciliatory III tone 0ldll
previous utterances from that qua .,e Iel
hut beyond vague statements that 'he
possibilities of peace negotiatioIS s,.ei;e az
contained in the addresses of Presl-
dert Wilson and Premier Lloyu
George, there is no suggestion OF
surrender of any of the extreme con
tent1ons of the military elements IN
the central states.
More ImperiaIistic Than Ever.
The German premier's address IN
deed is couched in the language of a
victorious general and it is noted that
nowhere does he specifically abanGon
the claim for indemnity and territory.
In fact, from the cabled abstract, II
apr ears that he has become even more
uncompromising and militaristic in his
position than he was when he assumed
office and first addressed the reichs-
tag The renQnciation by Count
Czernin, the Austrian premier, of any
clam against Russia for indem Lity or
annexation, it is noted, does not extend
to other nations. Considering that
Germany has undertaken to dominate
the Russian Balkan provinces and
that the central powers already have
recognized the independ ence of Tx
raine thus constituting a buffer state
between Russia and Austria, in large
part ii is easily perceived that Austria
is making no special sacrifice in this
remuneration. AS for Poland, the dec
laration- that the population would de-
eide 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 Austria and Germany.
Repeat Wilson's Version.
Attention has been directed to the
fact that there is a singular resem-
blance between Won Hertling state
ment that the terms outlined by Presi-
cent Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George contain certain principles
which could be accepted by Germany;
but tho concrete proposals were un-
satisfactory and President Wilson's
chara racter:zation of the terms proposed
by the central powers as IAN outline
of settlement which if much less def
mite seemed susceptible of liberal in
depreciation until their specific pro-
gram of practical terms was added.
That program presented no conces-
sions at ALL either to sovereignty of
Russia or to the preferences of the
population with whose fortunes it
dealt but meant. in a. word, that the
empires were to keep every foot of
territory their armed forces had oc-
cupied."
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. That the
sharp differences between the bel
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