The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-01-31
OUTLINES GERMAN POLICY.
Continued from page 2, column 2
raj political principle.

is demanded by Germany as the hrst
and one of the most important re-
uuirements for the future. therefore,
there is here no difference of opinion.
The limitation introduced by Mr.
Wilson at the end, which l need not
quote textually, is not intelllglble'
appears superfuous and would there
fore best be left out. (The limiting
clause reads: Except as the seas
may be closed in whole or in part by
international action for the enforce
ment of international covenants. }
ssIt would, however, be highly i'm
portant for the freedom of shipping
in future if strongly fortified naval
bases on important international
routes, such as England has at Gil
braltar, Malta, Alden, Hong Kong
the Falkland islands, and many
other places, were removed.
Economic Barriers.
Point three: We too are IN
thorough accord with the removal OF
economic barriers which interfere
with trade in superduous manner.
We too condemn economic war;
which would inevitably bear within
it causes of future warlike compllca-
tions.
Point four: Limitation of arma-
ments: AS already declared by US
the idea of limitation of armaments
is entirely discussable. The imam
cial position of all European States
after the war might most effectively
promote satisfactory solution.
(Cries of hear, hear.) 1t is there
fore clear that an understanding
might be reached without difficulty
on the first four points of Mr.. Will
sons programme.
81 now come to the fifth point:
Settlement of all colonial claims and
disputes. Practical realization of Mr..
Wilson's principles in the realm OF
reality will encounter some difficult
ties in any case. I believe that for
the. present it may be left for Eng
land which has the greatest colonial
empire. to make what she will of this
proposal of her ally. This point OF
the programme also will have to be
discussed in due time, on the recon-
struction of the worlds colonial pos
sessions, which we also demand alb
solutely.
Evacuation of Russian Land.
stPoint six: Evacuation Of Rus
sian territory: Now that the En-
tente has refused within the period
agreed upon by Russia and the quad
ruple alliance to join in the negotia-
tions, must in the name of the lat
ter decline to allow any subsequent
interference. We are dealing here
with questions which concern Russia
and the four allied powers. I ad-
here to the hope that with recogni-
ton of self determination for the
people on the western frontier of the
former Russian empire, good rela
tions will be established, both with
these peoples and with the rest Of
Russia for whom we wish most ear
nestly a return of order, peace and
conditions guaranteeing the welfare
of the country.
Point seven: Belgium: My pre-
decessors in office repeatedly declared
that at no time did the annexation
of Belgium to Germany form a point
in the programme of German policy.
The Belgian question belongs to those
questions the details of which are to
be settled by negotiations at the
peace conference.
$50 long as our opponents have
not unreservedly taken the standpoint
that the integrity of the allies terri
tory can offer the only possible ba-
sis of peace discussion, I must ad
here to the standpoint hitherto
adopted and refuse the removal in
advance of the Belgian affair from
the discussion.
Valuable Pawn.
Point eight: The occupied parts
of France arc a valuable pawn in our
hands. Here, too, forcible annexa
tion forms no part of the official
German policy The conditions and
methods of procedure of the evacua
ton, which must take account Of
Germany's vital interests, are to be
agreed upon between Germany and
France l can only again expressly
accentuate the fact that there can
never be a question of dismember-
ment of imperial territory. Under
no fine phrases of any kind shall we