The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-02-27
Won HE: j, ]
AGREES, ONLY
TO DISAGREE
German Chancellor Makes Contra.
dictory Speech Showing
Deceit
OLD IDEAS ARE HIDDEN

Amsterdam, Feb. 27.-Following
formal report of Chancellor Vo
Hertling's speech Monday in til
reichstag:
After few preliminary remark
by DR.. Hermann s. Paasche, vice pre-
ident Of the reichstag, and the frs
reading of the budget, Count Vo
Hertling arose and said. ..'.
THE reichstag has a right to RI
ceive an explanatory statement in RI
gard to the foreign situation and tn
attitude of the government concern
ing it. will meet the obligation arts
ing therefrom, even though enter
tain certain doubts as to the utilit,
and success of dialogues carried on b,
ministers and statesmen of belliger
ent countries. ....
"Nobody Understands Mel"
Mr.. Runciman in the house of com
mons recently expressed the opinion
that we would get much nearer peace
II instead Of this, responsible repre-
sentatives OF the belligerent powers
would come together in an intimate
meeting for discussion. I can only
agree with him that that would be
the way to remove numerous inten
tional and unintentional misunder
standings and compel our enemies tc
take our words as they are meant
and on their part also to show their
colors cannot, at any rate discover
that the words which spoke here on
two occasions were received in hos
tile countries effectively and without
prejudice. Moreover, discussion in an
intimate gathering alone could lead to
understanding on many individual
questions which can really be settled
only by compromise.
Wants "knee to Knee" Talk
1T has been repeatedly said that
we do not contemplate retaining Bel
GUM, but that we must be safeguard
ed from the danger of country with
which we desire after the war to live
in peace and friendship, becoming the
object or the jumping off ground of
enemy Vaccinations. If, therefore, a
proposal came from the opposing side,
for example, from the government in
Havre, we should not adopt an an
tagonistic attitude, even though the
discussion at first might only be un-
binding.
Meanwhile it does not appear as if
Mr.. Runciman's suggestion has a
chance of assuming tangible shape,
and must adhere to the existing
methods Of dialogue across the chan
mel and ocean.
Wilson'S Method Talked
Adopting this method, l readily ad.
NIT that President Wilson's message
Of February II represents. perhaps, a
small step toward a mutual reap
pr0achment. therefore pass over
the preliminary and excessively long
declarations in order to address my
self Immediately to the four princi-
pies, which, in President Wilson's
opinion, must be applied in a mutual
exchange of views.
The first clause says that each
part of the final settlement must be
based upon the essential justice of
that particular case and upon such
adjustments as are most likely to
bring peace that will be permanent
He Agrees
Who would contradict this? The
phrase coined by the Great Father of
the church, Augustin, fifteen hundred
years o-'justitia fundamentum
regnorum-is still valid today. Ger.
tain it is that only peace based in all
its parts on the principles of justice
has q prospect of endurance.
The second clause expresses the
desire that peoples and provinces
shall not be battered about from SOW
erignty to sovereignty as if they were
mere chattels and pawns in a game,
even the great game, now forever dis
credited, OF the balance Of power
Advance to Protect Gains.
AFTER the breaking of of peace neg.
citations by the Russian delegation on
February 10 we had free hand as
against Russia. The sole aim of the
advance of our troops, which was be-
gun seven days after the rupture, was
to safeguard the fruits of our peace
with Ukraine. Aims of conquest were
in no way determining factor. We
are strengthened in this by the Uk.
raines' appeal for support in bringing
about order in their young state
against the disturbances carried out
by the Bolsheviki.
Not to Govern Esthonia.
Eve do not intend to establish our
selves, for example, in Esthonia or
Livonia. In Courland and Lithuania
our chief object is to create organs of
self determination and self admins
tration. Our military action. however,
has produced success far exceeding
the original aim.
Delegates to Brest-Litovsk
News was received yesterday that
Petrograd had accepted our conditions
and sent its representatives. to Brest-
Litovsk for further negotiations. Ac-
cordingly our delegates travelled thith-
er last evening. 1t is possible that
there will still be dispute about the
details, but the main thing has been
achieved. The will to peace has been
expressly announced from the Russian
side, while the conditions have been
accepted and the conclusion OF peace
must ensue within very short time.
Peace Through Sword.
TO safeguard the fruits Of our
peace with Ukraine, our army COM
mand drew the sword. Peace with Rus
STA viii be the happy result.
Peace negotiations with Rumania
began ct Bucharest yesterday. It ap-
peared necessary that Secretary Won
Kuehlmann should be present there
turing the first days when the foun-
lations were laid. Now, however, he