THE ADVANCE IN RUSSIA

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 50, 27 February 1918, Page 8

THE ADVANCE IN RUSSIA

GERMANY'S REAL AIMS AS OUTLINED BY THE CHANCELLOR. (Received February 27, 2.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, 26th Feb. In the course of Kis speech in the Reichstag, the Imperial Chancellor (Count yon Hertling) said that every durable peace must be built upon justice. He agreed with President Wilson's declaration that the nations' provinces ought not to be shifted from one State to another. He 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. The people there were already successfully creating self-governing bodies. Respecting Roumania, he 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 be furthered by private discussions between responsible representatives of • the belligerents. The question of -Belgium should be discussed ,in a friendly manner in order to arrive at an understanding. Germany had repeatedly declared that she did not think of returning Belgium; but Germany must be protected,against Belgium being used as a deploying ground for the machinations of the enemy.