The sun., 1918-07-15

the plan was to hold the Reichstag in
check until a later date.
German newspapers are divided In
their opinions.
Chancellor Won Hertling's declara-
ton regarding Belgium is a great step
in advance" says the Fronkfurter Zc,-
tva1. ENEMY statesmen cannot in
terpret Il as the British Foreign Secre-
tary Baifour did the Chancellor's Feb
-usry speech by indicating that Ger
many intends to make Belgium sub
servient to herself by means of COM
mercial, territorial and military con-
ditions. There IL now no obstacle on
Germany's side to the ending Of the
var"
The yossssohe zottunp says: Chan
ceilor Won Hertling's statement on Bel
GUM was made with denniteness
which always hitherto has been lackins
The Chancellor's thorough exposition Of
his conception OF the Belgian problem
will silence chatter about German
statesmen being intentionally silent Oh
this subject or expressing themselves
with studied obscurity.'
Gsrmdnfa says. Belgium is the
NEST important question raised by the
war ana with the Chancellors clear
statement regarding It the internal po.
liticai situation can now be considered
a. no longer strained
Condemnation for speech.
Theodor wolff. editor in chief OF the
1srNner TdoebIatt, condemns the speech
saying:
The Chancellor is silent about war
aims. II Count Won Hsrtling considers
Belgium IL part Of the peace question
he must remember that for nobody out
side OF Germany Ia Belgium even ques-
ton for argument.
AT tho beginning OF the war Ger
many entered into very definite obliga-
lions regarding Belgium and even II
these obligations did not exist the Bel
lgian question for most people in the
world Is merely a plain question Of right
The Chancellor's remarks about Rus
STA smell Of powder. After reading Won
Hert1ing's whole speech the urconiforta-
BILE impression Ia left that in view Of
Is deemed advisable. The Chancellor
pursues no policy OF large principles. but
Is merely an adroit opportunist.
He considers Is SUFFICIENT II he again
brides the Reichstag majority. He
will then return to main headquarters
and say with smile You see how easy
Il ia"
Scandinavian See Peace Move.
Scandinavian newspapers interpret the
speech of Count Won Hertling a. q now
German peace offensive and give great
prominence to Berlin dispatches pictur-
ing Germany as ready for peace and
dealing particularly with tho Imperial
Chancellor's remuneration of Belgium.
Some of the Stockholm papers also boil
ster up the German peace scheme by
printing dispatches from Switzerland
and other points in an endeavor to
show that the Entente countries are In
a receptive mood for peace.
The Social Demokraten Of Stockholm.
the organ OF Hjalmar Branting, former
Minister Of Finance. publishes a trans
lation Of an appeal made by the French
Socialist organization. Compsgnie Gener-
ale du Travail The Social Demokraten
believes this is very important docu-
ment. as II proves the existence among
a large section Of the French labor cir
Giles of a desire for an honorable peace
by understanding"
The Suenskd Mor0en Blddet, also of
Stockholm. features a Berne despatch
giving the text Of an appeal sent to
President Wilson by the Geneva Com
mfttee for Obtaining a Genuine Peace"
This appeal asks President Wilson ito
tAko serious consideration OF the Ger
man Chancellor's speech and Of the
Chancellors repeated assurance that he
agrees with the four concrete conditions
a. recently laid down by President VIII
son as the basis for peace by under
standing
The appeal urges President Wilson to
start peace negotiations on this basis
Immediately.
Calls Germany . Plunderer.
The Teleoraaf in Amsterdam in its
comment on the speech views Germany
as plunderer and says: 1T is rs IL a
burglar says to the Judge: I will return
part of my booty II you acqu!t me- tn a
judges reply to such a criminal would
be the same as will be the Entente's
reply to Hertling
Chancellor Won Hertling's declaration
really Is another step backward, for he
said nothing regarding the military re-
lations between Germany and Belgium
nor regarding the so called independence
OF Flanders. Hertling's only object in
putting out this declaration Is to be able
to say to his people:
!" You see we have done our utmos,
as regards concessions without avail
can you still doubt that you are fighting
FOR your very existence against a foe
who is determined to destroy your"