PEACE PROGRAMME

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1918, Page 8

PEACE PROGRAMME

ADOPTER BY PRINCE MAX

DRAWN UP BY REICHSTAG

MAJOP.ITY

RESTORATION OF BELGIUM IN

CLUDED

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIGHT.) ' (AUSTRAUAX-NEir ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received October 7, 2.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, 6th October. Prince Maximilian, the new Chancellor, has accepted the programme of the Majority Parties, which, according to. the Berliner Tageblatt, includes— 1. Adhesion to the Reichstag's peace resolution of July, 1917. 2. Germany's willingness to enter a League of Nations, with compulsory disarmament, and the freedom of the seas. 3.. The restoration of Belgium, with indemnities. 4. Existing treaties must not be an obstacle to peace in the Baltic provinces and Poland. 5. The establishment of Alsace-Lorraine as an independent Federal State, with complete autonomy in conformity with the wishes of elected Alsatian representatives. 6. Immediate universal suffrage in Prussia- and other States. 7. The unification of the Imperial Government by the appointment of Ministers from among the elected'representatives, and the suppression of all military institutions exercising political power.

The resolution adopted by the Reichstag is as follows:— "Just as on 4th August, 1914, so on the threshold of the fourth year of war the -words of the Speech from the Throne, 'no desire for conquest impels us,' are valid for the German people. Germany assumed arms for the defence of her freedom and independence, and for her. territorial possessions. The Heichstag strives for a peace by 'agreement,' and for a permanent reconciliation of the nations. "Tho forcible acquisition of territory and political, economic, or financial usurpation are incompatible with such a peace. The Reichstag rejects all plans which strive for economic exclusion and animosities between peoples after the war, and the freedom of the seas must be assured. Economic peace alone will render possible a friendly community of life among the nations. The Reichstag will energetically promote the organisation of international law. "So long, however, as the hostile Governments do not accept such a peace; so long as Germany and her allies are threatened with conquests and usurpation, the German people will stand together as one man and endure and fight until its right, and the right of its allies, its life and its development, are assured. The Reichstag knows that in this proclamation it is at one with the men who in heroic conflict defend the Fatherland. Imperishable gratitude is assured them."