Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-03-01
CHANCES
FOR AGREEMENT
Hert|ing Says Germany Accepts
Wilson's Four Principles as
Basis for Peace ParIey.
ONE CONDITION MADE
Declares All Peoples Must Endorse
Offer and That Goal Of World
Arbitration Court Has Not
Been Reached.

Been Reached. ~
Amsterdam, Feb. 28.-The imperial
German chancellor, Count Won Hert
lir ;, speaking before the Reichstag
made this declaration.
Il can fundamentally agree with
the four principles, which in Presi
dent Wilson's view must be applied
in mutual exchange of views, and
thus declare with President Wilson
that general peace can be discussed
on such basis.
|. "Only one reserve need be made
in this connection: These principles
must not only be proposed by the
President of the United States, but
also must actually be recognized by
all states and peoples"
But this goal has not yet been
reached. There is still no court of
arbitration established by all the ma.
lions for the preservation of peace in
the name Of justice. When President
Wilson incidentally says that the
German chancellor is speaking to the
tribunal of the entire world, must
decline this tribunal as prejudiced,
joyfully as l would greet it, If an i'm
partial court of arbitration existed
and gladly as l would cooperate to
realize such ideals.
Unfortunately, however, there is
no trace of similar statements on the
part of the leading powers of the
Entente. England's war aims are
still thoroughly imperialistic and she
wants to impose on the world
peace according to Englanad's good
pleasure.
Challenges eritain's Claim.
"The world is longing for peace"
the chancellor said, but the govern
ments of the enemy countries again
are inflaming the passion for war.
There are, however, other voices to
be heard in England; 1t is to be
hoped these voices will multiply.
"The world now stands before a
final decision. Either our enemies will
decide to conclude peace-they know
on what conditions we are ready to
begin discussion they will con.
tinue the insanity by their criminal
war Of conquest" ..
He continued: "Our people will
hold out further, but the blood Of the
fallen, the agonies Of the mutilated
and the distress and sufferings of peo-
pies will fall on the heads Of those
who tnsistently refuse to listen to the
voice of reason ard humanity"
The Four Principles.
The four principles outlined by
President Wilson in his address Of
February II, referred to by Count
Won 1Iertling, the German chancellor,
in his speech before the Reichstag,
are:
First, that each part of the final
must be based upon the es-
sential justice Of that particular case
and upon such adjustments as are
most likely to bring a peace that will ::
be permanent.
Second, that peoples and provinces
ire not to be bartered about from
sovereignty to sovereignty as If they
we're mere chattels and pawns in the
game, even the great game, now for. |
,ver discredited, of balance of power;
tut that,
Third, every territorial settlement |
nvclyed in this war must be made in
he interest and for the benefit of the
population concerned, and not as a
'art of any mere adjustment or com.
'romise of claims amongst rival
tates, and, ..'.
Fourth, that all well defined ma
ional aspirations shall be accorded
he utmost satisfaction that can be II
them without introducing II
lew or perpetrating old elements Of
liscord and antagonism, and that
you'd be likely in time to break the
'eace of Europe and consequently the
'eace of the world.
"a genral peace erected upon such
can be discussed. Until
UGH a peace can be secured we have
10 choice but to 60 on. So far as we
an judge, these principles that we
egard as fundamental are already
accepted as imperative,
kept among the spokesman of the
Military annexationist party in Ger
many"