Bethmann-Hollweg to Anti-Annexationist and Pro-Annexationist: "I cannot disclose details, but I perfectly agree with both of you."
What is Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg still waiting for? If he now makes a frank and bold statement in the sense of the Russian peace formula three States will stand together, namely, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary.
Vorwärts, May 7, 1917.
The Ober-Hof-Socialist: "Yes! we must make a peace without annexations."
At the last sitting of the executive committee of the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates, M. Borgbjerg, on behalf of the Labor parties of Scandinavia—Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian—conveyed an official invitation to all Socialist parties in Russia to the proposed international conference at Stockholm.
M. Borgbjerg said that, having had interviews with the German Social Democrats, he was able to communicate to the executive committee the peace terms proposed by the official Social Democratic Party, i. e., the majority section.
These, M. Borgbjerg proceeded, recognised the right of nations to freedom of development, and advocated the introduction of compulsory international arbitration; the restitution by Germany of all conquered territories; a plebiscite in Russian Poland, with freedom to choose between independence, annexation by Russia, or annexation by Germany; the restoration of independence to Belgium, Serbia, and Rumania, and the restoration to Bulgaria of the Bulgarian districts of Macedonia, and the granting to Serbia of a free port on the Adriatic. As to Alsace-Lorraine, they are of opinion that a rectification of the Lorraine frontier could be secured by means of an amicable understanding. The program of the minority section was wider in scope.
Reuter, May 8, 1917.
"No war or at the worst only a sham war was all that America could do, was it?"
Flotillas of American destroyers have been sent to the submarine zone, where they are now effectively coöperating with the Allied Navies.
One Army division, a force of Marines, and nine regiments of Engineers have been ordered to France.
Ten thousand doctors, in addition to many nurses, have been ordered to England and France, and hundreds have already gone.
Together with the Americans who are already serving in the British and French Armies these additional units will shortly give a total of 100,000 Americans in France, equalling five German divisions.
British Press Bureau, May 27, 1917.
