Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-05-15
DECLARES GERMANY
WILL NOT YIELD
Ebert Says Peace Terms COntem-
plate Physical and Moral
Paralysis of His People

Berlin. Sunday. May II. (By the Asso.
ciated Press -Declaring that the terms
Of the peace presented by the allied and
associated governments to Germany
Contemplate the physical. moral and
intellectual paralysis of the German
people," that Germans were "hypno-
TIED" the statements made by Presi-
dent Wilson, and that he. himself, Is
looking forward to the future with
gravest apprehensions" President Erber'
said day that he still hoped Ameri-
can democracy would not accept the
treaty framed at the peace conference
He rejected with disdain the suggestion
that the present German government
would resign rather than accept or re-
ject the terms. saying that the govern
ment would hold out to the end
when in the course OF 1000 years, -
he asked. was ever a peace offered a
defeated people which so completely
contemplated its physical. moral and
intellectual paralysis, as do the terms
enunciated at Versailles
"In his message to Congress December
4. 1917, President Wilson said:
The frightful injustice committed in
the course of this war must not be made
greater by wishing a similar injustice
on Germany and her allies. The world
would not tolerate the committing of a
similar injustice as reprisal and realign-
ment.'
"ln his message to Congress referred
to in the foregoing paragraph, delivered
when he asked that a state of war be
declared to exist between the United
States and Austria Hungary President
Wilson said
The wrongs. the very deep wrongs
committed in this war must be righted
That of course. but they cannot and
must not be righted by the commitment
of similar wrongs against Germany and
her allies. The world will not permit
the commitment of similar wrongs as a
means of reparation and settlement
1.-THE German people," President Erberi
continued. have been lulled because OF
its solid faith in the sincerity and truth.
fitness of Mr. Wilson's program and his
fourteen points. The awakening will be
terrifying and we all look forward to il
with gravest apprehensions. In the face
of the cold, naked realities, we still con
sciously cling to the faith which found
its eptome in the name of Wilson and
the United States and the conception OF
the democracy of the League of Nations
we CdIlIlOl DtlltNe ludt tillS HAS
been an illusion and that the confidence
and hope of whole people have beer
duped in a manner unknown to history
Even now, optimists are saying Wilson
wi not permit it, he does not possibly
permit it,"
The President added that he and his
party could not blame the pan-Germans
for the "mmodest haste with which they
are now digging up their former speeches
and editorials in which the social demo
Gratis and other liberals were ridicued fol
their belief in President Wilson's pro
gram"
Il and my colleagues he said. ir
conclusion, upon whom rests the whole
burden of the forthcoming decisions
hope and pray the German people who
staked all on President Wilson and the
United States shall not find themselves
deceived. If, however. the American
democracy actually accepts the pres
ent peace terms as it's own. 1t become:
an accomplice and an abettor of polit
ical blackmailers, 1t surrenders the ira
ditional American principle of fair play
and craftsmanship and trails the ideals
Of true democracy in the United States
Notwithstanding the night now COW
ering it, l have abiding faith in the
future of the German: people and in the
unconquerability of its soul. Thi.
people, which has given the world sc
much in science, learning and industry
must not 60 down to oblivion. 1t Still
has cultural mission to perform anG
ethical treasures to bestow."
President Ebert closed his statement
by declaring the present government
would hold out to the last" and scout
p6 the idea that II would he