The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-02
.ERlDERcER DISCUSSES
LEAGUE Of NATIONS
HUNS WERE BEATEN
by DIR. MATTHIAS ERxBERGER.

war--Wissi rsus< 10 Thought.
ny DIR. MATTHIAS ERzBERGER..
Chairman az the German Armtstice
CommsssiOn, Leader Of tho Centrist
Party and fOrmer Secretary
tTfanaIate for UNIVERSAL Service
On February 10 the imperial chm
ceTltr replied 10 President Wilson'S
four peace points by EXPRESSING Ger
nlany's agreement with them In prin-
cfyaA and BY saying that general
peace could be discussed upon such
bAsie
As to this reilly of the chancellor
IL h to pe ehnpiinsixed that he JOY
fully greeted President Wilson's ut
terance regarding the old game Of the
baisnce Of power forever diseredit-
cd"
There was on reservation in Count
HertiinH'e assenSine nofa. It vas his
statement that President Wilson's
proposal in Itself did. not suffice, but
that the realization and application
Of these principles depended upon
their actual recognition by an ma
tons.
In this connection. the chancellor
pointed out that, If league of ma
tons Is to be created, all nations must
first approach the question of the
establishment of court Of arbitra-
ton for the safeguarding OF peace,
and that this had not yet been done.
Everything that Wilson has since
uttered showed his determination
with the growing American prepared
ness for war, TO attain his program
via the route OF extreme force
force to the utmost"
PREMIER Asqaith Energetic.
In England, the idea Of a league OF
nations is very much in the fore
ground. In speeches and interviews
eK-Premier Asquit has been agitatins
the project energetically. His utter.
ancss contain expression OF the
thought that the league Of nations
is political instrument of war, q
means 70 the end of domination by
the entente though which. with
the other English statesmen, appears
more or less in the forefront Of their
public declarations. Lord Curzcn de-
manded on June IS, 1918, the en-
dorsement. in principle. OF the house
OF lords. Of the proposition that some
thing rust be done to further the idea
OF league Of nations.
Lord Curzon said the league Of the
British empire and league of twenty
or twenty-five allied nations already
existed and that it comprised some
two fifths of the worlds Inhabitants
Though it was difficult to imagine
that Germany could be admitted into
league Of nations. Lord Curzon said
il was theoretically self evident that
the league must include all states.
Lord Robert Cecil is confirmed
adherent of q strong economic league
- L. g. sAS~ ~ o..
tipn of Germany. His conception OF
the entente economic policy rest,
entirely upon this principle
Arthur James Bafour sees thu
reaiiza ton Of a league Of nations onl,
upon a basis OF beaten Germany
He believes real security for thu
peace Of the world will come with thu
territorial readjustment that is to b
supported through the league Of ma
tions.
Premier Lloyd Georges variou.
utteranees on the subject. while con,
fiicting in many respects. permit OIL
tho conclusion that he believes Ger.
many might. under certain condi-
tinna. be admitted to membership n
the league Of nations.
Beside viAcount Grey, the marquis
Of Lansd bwne should be mentioned
who repeatedly expressed himself in
favor OF an understanding, and who
il backed we may assume. by circles
that are stronger than they appear
to be outwsrdE.
Note: The above Is typical Of
the reasoning OF German politicians
throughout the war The svtsA - the
father Of the thought The fact Is
that. whatever circles backed Lans-
dewne', went down in ignominioue
defeat in the British election two
weeks ago. The author also quotes
extensively from speeches by Arthur
Henderson, omitted in the translation
because previously published. Hend-
erson was one of those buried in the
coalition landsiide.)
Now. il we sum up the result OF the
foregoing. we find that the league OF
nations idea plays an important role
in England, that among the British
Radicals and Socialists there are
numerous sFe-adroeates- ct the
idea, who do not want TO exclude Ger
many from the league Of nations. but
wish to admit her as an equal mem
Der, but that, on the other hand, the
British government. and with it the
un!onists, is thinking Of league OF
nations established under Engli
domination when Germany Is beaten.
tNote: The above Ia typical on
Of ''iff' in tho last sentence may be
significant as showing Erzberger fore
saw Germany's defeat.)
(To be Continued