The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-29

tshed Q memorandum of the present Minister of the Realm, Erzberger, of September, 1914, in which he express es his opinions in regard to the con- ditious of peace drawn up by Ger many. This memorandum, which was sent to a number of leading states men and military leaders, runs as fol- lows:
 The purpose of tho present uni versal war is, according to the re- peatedly expressed intention of Ger many's enemies, the destruction of the Germany Empire and the disso- lution of Austria Hungary. German victories have already attained the result that this aim will not be reached. The sanguinary struggle of the German people, together with the eNertions of Austria. make it an UT sent duty to use the consequences of victory in such a manner that Ger man military supremacy shall be se- cure for all time on the Continent, that the German people shall be in a position to enjoy undisturbed peaceful development for at least 100 years. Only when this aim Is attained are the great sacrifices of this war justi- fled. Only then are tho wishes of the German people fulfilled. From this point of view all demands. and con- ditions at the conclusion of peace must be considered. The first demand Is, therefore, that Germany can no longer suffer on her frontiers pre- tended neutral States, which are not sufficiently strong to maintain their neutrality, or which have no desire 10 remain neutral The second aim is the abolition of English tutelage, which .s so unbearab1e for Germany in all questions of wor1d-policy. The third is the destruction of the Rus sian colossus. To attain this the Ger man people have entered this fight which Is without parallel.
 The lowest conditions of a conclu- sion of pence must therefore be:
 ;a)-BTIETJM.
 This country, which has been ac- ouired with so much German blood. can under no circumstances retain its prescntp os!t!on. There is no for cible reason for dividing it among the bordering States. In what manner tho country is to be treated in regard 10 political s.atus is q matter for. later de1iberacjon. Under all Circum- stances it must be attained that Ger many shall have military supremacy over the frontier, and not only over Belgium, but over the entire French coastliue stretching via Dunkirk ana Calais to Boulogne; 1t Is just as aeces- slry that Germany should obtain pos session of the Channel Islands lying off Cherbourg.
 Whether in the future Belgium shall be accepted as a confederate state of the German Empire, or whether 1t shall be received fin a E1I- ropean confederacy under the Ger man Government, need not be dis cussed for the moment. Under all circumstances our access to the sea to the south Of the Channel must be rendered secure by the establishment of coaling stations, naval ports, etc.
 b)-E'RANCE.
 The ceding of large tracts of ter Titory by France need hardly be con sidered. The cession of the above mentioned territory bordering direct ly on Belgium is absolutely necessary. It Is a just demand of German indus trial circles that the entire Minette District of Trench Lorraine should come under German dominion, go that it may be exploited by Germany. The old desire Of 1870 that the Ger man flar should wave permanently above Belfort, is once more put for ward. If France could be forced 70 rage her frontier fortihcations tha: would be an additional gain
 (c)-RUSSIA.
 The most difficult problem for the conclusion of peace is doubtless the arrangements in the East It is diff ficult on account of our internal po- Iitical conditions. Difficult because Germany cannot here decide alone, but must come to an agreement with Austria. The aim should be liberation of non-Russian peoples from the yoke of Russia and the creation of internal government for the individual nations. All this under German mili- 1 tary supremacy, perhaps also with ! union of customs.
 An independent Poland would per | haps resist just German interests. and | might in the course of years develop { into a Polish Serbia, which would | then cause great difficulties to Ger ! many and Austria. The Russian | Baltic Provinces could with their | vigorous populations be partially an nexed to Prussia or become inde- | pendent States under German mili- | tary supremacy; the same could be done with Lithuania.
 Should a Polish kingdom be creat- cd under German supremacy it is ab- | soiutely necessary to give 1t to ! dynasty which in accordance with ex-
 
 ] Roman Catholic confession. How Austria must extend in the Ukraine | and Roumaria in Bessarabia need | not here be further explained. The aim should be to exclude Russia from the Baltic well as from the Black Sea. The sooner this is attained the ! quicker we shall have peace. Against these proposals the objec- | lion might be raised that their ex- | ecution would bring about an entire 1 change in the whole structure of the | present German Empire. This ob- | lection Is, however, not valid, for i: ! Is not a question of annexing the ] above mentioned territories to the | German Empire.
 The best solution would be that be- tween the present German Empire | and the ove-mentioned territories T | confederacy of States chould be es- | tablished, guaranteeing for all times the military supremacy of the Kaiser