New-York tribune., 1918-03-20
Provinces Germany Seized
Wanted to Break Away,
He Asserts
Wilson Message
"Put Calmly Aside"
Chancellor Denounces AL
lied Criticism as More
Hypocrisy

COPENHAGEN, Monday, March 49,
: Chancellor Won Hertling, on the first
reading in the Reichstag of the peace
treaty with Russia to-day. declared
that he did not wish to discuss the
opinions OF Germany's enemies regard
ing the treaty.
"Hypocrisy," the Chancellor added,
"has become second nature to the en-
emy, whose untruthfulness is made
worse by its brutality. Every attempt
at calm explanation and every real de-
liberation must fail when the enemy, at
the very moment they are laying a
heavy hand on neutral country, dare
to speak of a policy guided by com
plete unselfshness.
"The treaty with Russia contains no
conditions disgraceful to Russia, if the
provinces breaking away from Russia
say it is in accordance with their own
wish and the wish is accepted by Rus
sia"
The Imperial Chancellor declared
that Courland and Lithuana were
united to Germany politically, econom-
ically and mlitarly.
Attitude Toward Poland
'Livonia and Esthonia are the east
ern frontier fixed By the treaty. he
added. "but we hope that they also will
have close and friendly relations with
Germany. not, however, to the exclu
sion of their friendly relations with
nIt nrrt oil
the treaty, and we shall endeavor to see
if it is possible to live in stable and
good neighborly relations with the new
state.
.If the Reichstag adopts the peace
treaty peace on the whole Eastern
front will be restored, as | announced
February "a. but among the Entente
powers there is not the least inclina-
tion to finish this terrible war. The
responsibility for bloodshed will be
upon the heads Of those who wish con-
tinuation of the bIoodshed."
The Chancellor referred to Russia's
proposal that all the belligerents enter
into the peace negotiations, and added
We and our allies accepted the pro-
rosals and sent delegates to Brest-
Litovsk. The powers until then allied
with Russia remained aloof.
Criticises Bolsheviki
"The course OF the negotiations is
known to you. You remember the end
less speeches which we're intended, not
so much for the delegates there assem-
bled as for the public at large. and
which caused the desired goal Of an
understanding TO recede into the dis
tance. You remember the repeated in
terruptions. the rupture and the re-
sumption of the negotiations. The
point had been reached where yes OF
mo- had to be said. and on March 3
peace was concluded at BrestLitovsk.
On March 16 it was ratified by COM
petent assembly at Moscow.
"If in the telegram from Washington
it was thought fit to express to the
congress assembled at Moscow the SYM
psthy of the United States at a moment
obtruded itself. in order to bring sue
cess to the battle for freedom. then
put that calmly aside with the rest.
In his message to the ll-Russiar
Soviet Congress President Wilson ex-
pressed the sympathy of the United
States for the Russian people sat this
moment when the German power has
been thrust in to interrupt and turr
hack the whole struggle for freedom
and substitute the wishes of Germany
for the purpose Of the people of Rus
sia.")
Denies Plan of Conquest
I've have not for q moment conter}
plated, and do not contemplate, oppos
ing the justified wishes and endeavo,
of Russia to be liberated. AS said or
Nove.nbcr 30. we desire for that sorcl,
tfied lard speedy return to a ocacc
ful end orderly state of affairs, and w
deeply deplorc the terrible condition.
shich have made their appearance II
many places.
Among the Entente" the Chancel
Tor continued. there is not the slight
est inclination to abandon the war, bu
rather the Intention is manifested t,
continue this terrible combat till we ar,
destroyed. We shall not lose courag.
on that account, for we arc prepared
Tor everything. We are prepared Il
make further sacrifices, and stand firr
as rock in our confidence IN ou,