Evening star., 1918-07-13
HERTL|NG DENIES
GERMANY intent
T0HOLD BELGIUM
Tells Reichstag Nation Is
Held as Pawn for Future
Negotiations.
WILL CONSIDER OFFICIAL
OVERTURES FOR PEACE
Cannot Stand Insults" Expressed
in Views of President Wilson
and Balfour.

and Balfour.
COPENHAGEN, July 13.-Denial
that Germany intended to retain Bel
gium was made by Count Won Hert-
ling, the German imperial chancellor,
in the course of his speech before the
seichstag main committee Thursday.
"The present possession of Belgium
only means that we have a pawn for
future negotiations" the chancellor
said. 1--WE have no intention to keep
Belgium in any form whatever"
Seeks Friendly Relations.
What we precisely want as ex-
pressed by US on February a." the
chancellor continued, sis that after
the war restored Belgium shall. as
self-dependent state, not be subject
to anybody as a vassal and shall live
with us in good. friendly relations.
"I have this point of view from the
beginning in regard to Belgium. and
I still hold it today. This side of my
policy is fully in conformity with the
general lines. the direction of which
yesterday clearly laid before you.
I'VE ave waging the war as a war
of defe:-0e, as We have done from the
very beginning. and every imperial
3stic teSsency and every tendency to
world domination has been remote
from our minds.
What we want Is the inviolability
of our territory. open air for the ex-
pansfon Of our people In the eco
nomic domain and, naturally, also Sc
curity in regard to the future. This
is completely in conformity with my
point of view in regard to Belgium.
but how this point of view can be
established In detail depends upon
future negotiations, and on this point
] am unable to give binding declara-
lions"
German Report Of Speech.
By the Associated Press
LONDON. July 12.-Debate on the
general political situation was open
ed in the reichstag Thursday by Inn
Serial Chancellor Won Hertling, who
discussed the retirement of Dr. Rich
ard Won Kuehlmann. the German for
eign secretary; the foreign policy of
the government and the economic
problems which had arisen because of
recent developments in the east. Ac-
eording to a German official wireless
message received here. the imperial
chancellor said:
II maintain the standpoint of the
Imperial reply to the peace note of
Pope Benedict. The pacific spirit
which inspired this reply has also
tnspired me. At the time, however, I
added that this spirit must not give
our enemies free conduct for an in
terminable continuation of the war.
What have we lived to see, how
ever? While for years there can have
been no doubt whatever of our will
1ngness to hold out our hand toward
until these last few days inciting
speeches delivered by enemy states-
men: President Wilson wants war
9ntil we are destroyed, and what Mr..
Eaif2%ur. % the British secretary Of state
eeally drive the flush of anger to the
Cheeks of every German.
Cannot Stand for "Insults."
I'VE feel for the honor of our
Satherland. and we cannot allow our
selves to be constantly and openly in
suited in this manner, and behind
these insults is the desire for our de-
6tructton. AS long as this desire for
our destruction exists, we must en-
dure. together with our faithful ma
Hion.
Il am also convinced-I know it
That in the widest circles of our ma
fion the same serious feeling exists
everywhere. AS long as the desire for
our destruction exists we must hold
out, and we will hold out, with con-
sidence in our troops, in our army ad-
ministration and our magnificent ma
tion, which bears SO wonderfully
these difficult times with their great
privations and continued sacrifices.
TN the direction of our policy moth
sng will be changed. If, in spite of
these hostile statements by these
statesmen any serious efforts or a
paving Of the way to peace were to
show themselves anywhere, then, quite
certainly. we would not adopt a mega
tive attitude from the very beginning,
but we would examine these seriously
Anent-1 say expressly, seriously-ef-
forts Immediately with scrupulous
Gare.
Agents Not Sufficient.
Naturally. 1t Is not sufficient when
GONE agent or other approaches us
and says to us: I can bring about
peace negotiations. then and there
But it is necessary for the appointed
representatives of the enemy powers.
duly authorized by their government.
TO give us to understand that discuss
eions are possible, discussions, which.
for the time being, naturally will be
within a limited circle.
But the statesmen who have spok-
fn up to the present time have not
gaid word about such possibilities.
when such possibilities manifest
themselves, and when serious inclina-
fions toward peace show themselves
on the other side, then we will i'm
bnedfately go into them. That is to
ksay. we will not reject them-and we
will speak. to begin. within small
Iircle.
II also can tell you that this stand
point is not merely my own standpoint,
But that 1t is shared emphatically by
the chief of the army administration
kThe chief Of the army administration
also does not conduct war for the sake
bf war, but has said to me that as soon
hs serious desire for peace manifests it.
self on the other side we must follow
IT up.
|, Discussed It With Kaiser.
"You will be interested to know how