New-York tribune., 1918-03-01

speech, but, on the other nand, cner-
getically repudiate them"
Herr Scheidemann declared that at
tcmpts to conclude a peace IN the West
such as that with Russia would prove
a trial Of strength dangerous for Ger
many. The world would 20 to sleep
with rifles in hand. Bolshevik dreams
would be realized and world revolution
arrive. "Our military advance against
Russia evoked veXation in Austria
Hungary, the majority OF whose people
are quite openly hostile TO US.
Herr Scheidemann continued:
"The Imperial Chancellor frankly
stated yesterday that he accepted Pres
, dcnt Wilson's four principles. This
declaration is all the more important
when one considers that President Will
son emphasized that his principles were
accepted everywhere except by the
German Military and AnneXationist
Party. Well, this party, fortunately,
is in this country no longer Of decisive
importance"
Erzberger Backs Russian Drive
Matthias Erzberger. leader of the
Clerical Centre, declared that the peace
in the East completely corresponds to
the peace resolution" in the Reichstag
in 1917 He added: "Whereyer it de-
viates it only represents a temporarily
political measure. 1t depends on its
execution whether it holds good at the
general conclusion Of peace"
DR.. W. S. Solf, Secretary for the
Colonies, said~that General SHUTS had
demanded East Africa as q connecting
and had thus set up sort of Monroe
Doctrine for the Southern Hemisphere,
with the exclusion of the Germans,
just as the French had in West Africa
That is q much stronger accentua-
ton of the standpoint of force,' said
the Secretary. "than when the security
Of ones own frontier is desired. SHUTS
attempted to advance justification FOR
this By saying that Germany would
tive soldiers in the German colony
have not been trained or even
equipped. for fighting against the
whites. whereas France has created in
her colonies a standing army of a hun
drcd thousand and has thus made most
Of her colonies military.
Sent Arms to Africa
"Csreat Britain also has troops in her
African colonies and permanent white
garrsons az all important places on
the coast"
Dr.. Solf said that Germany desired,
in the interests of the white race, to
neutralize all her colonies He de-
cIarcd: "Our East Africans are holding
out not as General SHUTS thinks, be-
cause they have been prepared for
years for war against Europeans, but
{ because we have succeeded twice in
sending them arms and ammunition.
"Germany's programme does not en-
tail militarization in Africa. Never
/ theless. Germany cannot make herself
/ defenceless on this account while 9TH
ers are militarizing."
/ DR.. Solf said that the recent speech
I of General Smuts showed that he wants
! to destroy Germany as a colonial
! power, just as Lloyd George would de-
stroy Germany as a Continental power,
and Sir Edward Carson desired to de-
/ stroy Germany as an industrial power.
Germany Wants Colonies Back
He declared that Germany had never
allowed any doubt to exist as to the
| government and people unanimously
desiring to get the colonies back or
that &C olonial policy was vital qucs-
ton for Germany and not a luxury.
The enemy had failed to enlighten Ger
nony regarding the ultimate fate OF
the German colonies, and he added. af
! ter Getting the attitude Of General
SHUTS and others: "This is not the
| spicit which leads to peace"
DR.. Gustave Stresemann. National
Liberal, said:
''The last few weeks have taught US
| what is the best method of reaching
peace. 1t is true that the Czech Social
Democratic party in Austria in the
first few days protested against our
advance. However, when our capture
of foodstutfs was heard of the feeling
apparently changed. 1t is not the ne
gotiations with Trotzky, nor the Reich
stag resolution, nor the reply to the
Pope's note, but the advance of the un-
broken German military forces which
has brought us peace in the East.
"In view of this fact i fresh peace
offer would be wrong"
/ Dr. Stresemann opposed the Chan
! cellor's invitation to Belgium. declar
ing, Gwen if its annexation is not in
tended, Belgium constitutes a pawn
against Great Britain"
Rumania, according to Stresemann
does not deserve consideration, and he
concluded: "a war indemnity is real
guarantee for a lasting peace, and the
occupying force must remain in Ru-
mania until an indemnity is paid"