New-York tribune., 1919-05-26

HNHE German people and their Emperor
have preserved peace for forty-four
years, preserved it until its further
maintenance was incompatible with ma
tional honor and our continued existence.
Despite her increase in strength and popu-
lation, never has Germany thought Of
transgressing the narrow bounds of her
possessions on the European Continent
with view to conquest. Upon the worlds
markets alone was she forced to make an
entry, so as to insure her economic exist
ence by peacefully competir.s with other
nations.
To our enemies, however, even these mar
row limits and share of the worlds trade
necessary to our existence seemed too
much, and they formed plans which aimed
at the very annihlation Of the German
Empire. Then we Germans rose as one
man, from the highest to the meanest,
realizing that we must defend not only our
external life but also our inner, spiritual
and moral life-in short, defend German
and European civilization (Kultur) against
barbarian hordes from the east and desire
for vengeance and domination from the
west. With Gods help, hand in hand with
our trusty ally, we have been able victori-
ously to assert ourselves against half
world of enemies.
Now, however, another foe has arisen,
in Italy. 1t is no longer sufficient for US
merely to defend ourselves. Sword in
hand, our foes have compelled US to make
enormous sacrifices Of blood and treasure.
Now we want to defend ourselves with all
our might against a repetition Of such an
attack from every side, against whole
succession of wars, and against the poss-
blity Of our enemies again becoming
strong. Moreover, we are determined to
establish ourselves so firmly on such a
broad expanse of securely won homeland
that our independent existence is guaran-
teed for generations to come.
I-France
After being threatened by France for
centuries, and after hearing the cry of
vengeance from 1916 till 1870 and from
1871 till 1915, we wish to have done with
the French menace once for all. All classes
of our people are mbued with this desire
There must, however, be no misplaced at
tempts at expiation Observation-Disclosures
gem, which have always been opposed by
France with the utmost fanaticism, and as
regards this would utter a most urgent
warning to Germans not to deceive them
selves. Even after the terrible lesson of
this unsuccessful war Of vengeance France
Will still thirst for revenge in SO far as
her strength permits. For the sake of our
own existence we must ruthlessly weaken
her, both politically and economically, and
must improve military and strategical
position with regard to her. For this pur-
pose, in our opinion, it is necessary radi-
cally to improve our whole western front
from Belfort to the coast Part Of the
north French Channel coast we must ac-
quire, if possible, in order to be strategi-
cally safer as regards England and to Sc
cure better access to the ocean.
Special measures must be taken to avoid
the German Empire in any way suffering
internally owing to this enlargement of its
frontier and addition to its territory. In
order not to have conditions such as those
in ace-Lorraine the most important
business undertakings and estates must be
transferred from anti i-German ownership to
German hands, France taking over and
compensating the former owners Such
portion of the population is taken over
by US must be allowed absolutely no inf1u-
ence in the empire
Furthermore, it Is necessary to impose a
mercilessly high war indemnity Col which
more hereafter) upon France. and probably