Approaches to the great settlement . demands guaranteesfor the freedom of political, economical and cultural devel-opment of its own nation. It also disapproves all violenceagainst the vital interests of other peoples. Only such apeace can bring with it guarantees of durability. It alonewill allow the nations to triumph over an atmosphere ofhostility and to place all their strength in the service of socialbetterment and the progress of civilization. Starting out from this general viewpoint we have givenour assent to the project of the Workmens and SoldiersCouncil of Petrograd in view of a peac
Approaches to the great settlement . demands guaranteesfor the freedom of political, economical and cultural devel-opment of its own nation. It also disapproves all violenceagainst the vital interests of other peoples. Only such apeace can bring with it guarantees of durability. It alonewill allow the nations to triumph over an atmosphere ofhostility and to place all their strength in the service of socialbetterment and the progress of civilization. Starting out from this general viewpoint we have givenour assent to the project of the Workmens and SoldiersCouncil of Petrograd in view of a peace without annexationsor indemnities on the basis of the right of peoples freely todispose of themselves. Consequently our attitude towardthe particular points of the questionnaire is as follows: I. ANNEXATIONS We are opposed to annexations of territory by force. As far as the modification of frontiers on the basis of a mutual understanding is concerned, the people interested, when they desire to remain in their old government, [172]. Photo by Paul Thompson PHILIP SCHEIDEMANN Vice-President of the Reichstag and Leader of theMajority Socialists must be assured regarding all judicial and economic pos-sibilities connected with changing their residence. It isunderstood the rejection of all forced annexations alsocovers the restitution of invaded colonies. II, WAR INDEMNITIES The imposition of war indemnities has been rejected. Itcould not be realized otherwise than by totally crushingone of the belligerents. But each day of continuedstruggle increases so much the sum of sacrifices in wealthand blood for both sides that, merely for that motive, itwould be inadmissible to retard peace for the sake of ob-taining indemnities. Otherwise, the economic oppressionof one nation by another would make a durable peace im-possible. III. RESTORATIONS In so far as this question applies to political restoration,— that is, to the reestablishment of national independence —our answer is in the aff
Size: 1236px × 2023px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectworldwar19141918
