UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: War Publications - WWI Compilation 1923 - Article 13 [PAGE 6]

Caption: War Publications - WWI Compilation 1923 - Article 13
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were o us. This same writer tells his countrymen that thcv arc too impatient, lie warns them that it will he a score or more of years before the economic and political disintegration which the war has started will show themselves. T h e n " , he tells us, "the true time of harvest will have come." Being pious, as well as patriotic, he also tells his fellowcountrymen that the Biblical phrase applies in their case,—"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you". "First bring about the peace by understanding, which guarantees German political independence, territorial integrity and freedom of economic development, then Germany will have shown herself so strong that all these things shall be added unto her." These are the views of various parties in the (ierman Empire. The government, while neither expressly accepting nor rejecting any of the programs has held itself in a position to adopt any or all of them according to the military conditions at the close of the war. In other words, the peace proposals of the German government have varied inversely with their military successes. We have become accustomed to see a German peace offensive follow a failure litary appears been on the side of the extremest demands that any one of the parties of the people has made. The military party in Germany, German autocracy, the German government

time

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feels sure it can get.

Hence it is that the

German peace propositions, was general and vague. On certain matters, however, the government has made its views evident. For example, Germany must have economic privileges in Belgium and must dominate Belgian policy, if Belgium is restored at all. As the Chancellor said to Mr. Gerard, "We must possibly have the forts of Liege and Namur. We must have other forts and garrisons throughout Belgium. We must have possession of the railroad lines. We must have possession of the ports and other means of communication be allowed army, but we must be allowed to retain a large army We must have commercial control of Belgium." But on one point the government and the separa

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