THE PEACE ISSUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 138, 28 February 1918, Page 5

THE PEACE ISSUE

COUNT VON HERTLING'S DECLARATION

SHUFFLE ON THE BELGIAN QUESTION

THE ADVANCE IN THE EAST

. Amsterdam, February 26. In the course of his speech in the Reichstag,, the Imperial Chancellor (Count von Hertling) said that every durable peace must be built upon justice. Ho agreed with President Wilson's declaration that' the nations' provinces ouglit not to be shifted from one State to another. Ho rejoiced at President Wilson's statement rejecting the idea of the balance of power. Germany's advance in the East was only aimed to secure peace with Russia. Her aim was not one of conquest. Germany merely wanted to restore order without establishing herself in Esthonia and Livonia. As to Courland and Lithuania, he had nothing to say. Tbe fieople there wero already successfully creating self-governing bodies. Respecting Rumania, iie would state that Germany and Rumania must and will make friends for all time. He doubted the utility of public speeches by statesmen, but the cause of peace could bo furthered by private discussions between responsible representatives of the

belligerents. The question of Belgium should bo discussed in a friendly manner in order to arrivo at an understanding. Germany had repeatedly declared that she did not think of retaining Belgium; hut Germany must be protected against Belgium being used as a deploying ground for the machinations of the enemy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. February 27, 5.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, February 26. i With regard to Poland, the intention to arrange an agreement between the Ukraine and Poland had already had a reassuring effect in Polish circles. Germany intended only to claim a rectifica- ; tion of her side frontier, mado neees- | sary through military reasons. The I world in eager expectancy was now askI ing whether the way for a general j peace bad been opened. The Entente i leaders seemed still adverse to the voice j of humanity and reason, and adhered to their aims of , conquest, including Alsace and Lorraine. There was no Alsace-Lorraine question , in an international sense. If it existed it was purely a German question. The Entente claimed' Austrian territory for Italy, while England was fighting for the separation of Palestine and Syria from- Turkey and for Germany's African colonies. Tho Chancellor referred to the intrigues to incite neutrals against Germany, and said there was no thought of Germany violating Swiss neutrality. The world longed for peace, but the enemy Governments wanted to continue the war to the end. It was, however, truo that other voices were heard in England, and he trusted such utterances, would be • more frequent. "Tho world stands faced with the greatest decisioft for all. Either-! the enemies must decide to make peace, on which presumption we are prepared to enter into negotiations, or to continue the war, in which case wo will continue, but the responsibility for the bloodshed will fall on those who obstinately refuse to listen to the voice of humanity."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.