The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-01-31
OUTLINES GERMAN POLICY
CHANCELLOR ANSWERS PEACE
TERMS BY WILSON.
Won Hertling Says He is Still Opti-
nlistic Regarding Negotia-
tions With SlavS.

Amsterdam, Jan. 25.-ln his ad-
dress before the Reichstag main COM
mittee yesterday Chancellor Won
Hertling referred to the negotiations
with the Russians at Brest-L -Litovsk
saying he held fast to the hope that
good conclusion would be arrived
at. He continued:
"Our negotiations with the
Ukrainian representatives are in a
more favorable position. Here, too'
difficulties have yet to be overcome
but the prospects are favorable. we
hope shortly to reach conclusions
with Ukraine which will be in the
interest of both parties and also
economically advantageous.
Zone result, gentlemen, might be
recorded as you all know. The Rus
slams last month proposed to issue
an invitation to all the belligerents
to participate in the negotiations.
Russia submitted proposals of a very
general character. At that time we
accepted the proposal to invite the
belligerents to take part in the nego-
tiations, on the condition, however,
that the invitation should have def
mite period for its acceptance. At
10 o'clock on the evening OF Janu-
ary 4 the period expired, No ans
wer had come and as result we were
no longer under the obligations and
had a free hand for separate peace
negotiations with Russia. Neither
were we longer bound, of course, by
the general peace proposals submit
ted to us by the Russian delegation.
Wilson and Lloyd George.
Instead of the reply which was
expected but which was not forth
coming" Chancellor Won Hertling
continued, 1.-TWO declarations were
made by enemy statesmen-Premier
Lloyd Georges speech and President
Wilson's speech. I willingly admit
that Mr.. Lloyd George altered his
tone. He no longer indulges in
abuse and appears desirous of again
demonstrating his ability as ne
gotiator, which I had formerly
doubted. l cannot go so far as many
opinions which have been expressed
in neutral countries which would
read in Mr.. Lloyd Georges speech a
serious desire for peace, and even a
friendly disposition. 1t is true he
declares he does not desire to de-
stroy Germany, and never desired to
destroy her. He even has words of
respect for our political, economic
and cultural position. But other ut
terances also are not lacking, and
the ideal continually comes to the
surface that he has to pronounce
Judgment on Germany, charging her
with being guilty of all possible
crimes. That is an attitude with
which we can have nothing to do,
and in which we can discover no
trace of serious purpose to attain
peace. We are to be the guilty ones
over whom the Entente is now sit
ting in judgment. That compels me
to give short review of the situa-
tion and the events preceding the
war, at the risk of repeating what
long ago was said.
End of Dismemberment.
"The establishment of the Ger
man empire in the year It'll made
an end of dismemberment. BY the
union of it's tribes the German en-
pire in Europe acquired position
corresponding to it's economic and
cultural achievements and the claims
founded thereon. Bismarck crown
ed his work by the alliance with
Austria-Hungary. 1t was purely a
defensive alliance, so conceived and
willed by the exalted allies from the
first. Not even the slightest thought
of it's misuse for aggressive aims ev-
er occurred in the course of decades.
The defensive alliance between Ger
many and the Danube monarchy
closely connected by old traditions
and allied to us by common interest,
was to serve especially for mainten-
ance Of peace.
But Bismarck had even then, as
he was often reproached for having
an cbsession in regard to coalition.
and events of subsequent time ha:e
shown it was no vision of error
The danger of hostile coalitions which
n.,ncced the central powers otter
made it's appearance. BY King Ed
wards isolation policy the dream o1
coai:t'eE became a reality. The Ger