nothing of the abandonment of their excessive aims of conquest and economic destruction. Where, then, were the Governments who last Winter openly stood up before the world in order to terminate this insane slaughter of peoples? Were they in London or in Paris? The most recent utterances which I have heard from London declare that the war aims which were announced two years ago remain unaltered.

"Even Herr Scheidemann will not believe that I could meet this declaration with a beau geste. Does any one believe, in view of the state of mind of our western enemies, that they could be induced to conclude peace by a program of renunciation?

"It comes to this. Shall I immediately give our western enemies an assurance which will enable them to prolong the war indefinitely without danger of losses to themselves? Shall I tell these enemies: Come what may, we shall under all circumstances be people who renounce; we shall not touch a hair of your head. But you want our lives—you can, without any risks, continue to try your luck?'

"Shall I nail down the German Empire in all directions by a one-sided formula which only comprises one part of the total peace conditions and which renounces successes won by the blood of our sons and brothers and leaves all other matters in suspense?

"No, I will not pursue such a policy. That would be the basest ingratitude toward the heroic deeds of our people at the front and at home. It would permanently press down our people, to the smallest worker, in their entire conditions of life. It would be equivalent to surrendering the future of the Fatherland.

"Or ought I, conversely, to set forth a program of conquest. I decline to do that. [Cries from the Right: "We are not demanding that."] If it has not been demanded, then we are of one opinion. I also decline to set forth a program of conquest. We did not go forth to war, and we stand in battle now against almost the whole world, not in order to make conquests, but ex

clusively to secure our existence and to establish firmly the future of the nation. A program of conquest helps as little as a program of reconciliation to win victory and the war.

"On the contrary, I should thereby merely play the game of hostile rulers and make it easier for them further to delude their war-weary peoples into prolonging the war immeasurably. That, too, would be base ingratitude toward our warriors near Arras and the Aisne.

"As regards our eastern neighbor, Russia, I have already recently spoken. It appears as if new Russia had declined for herself these violent plans of conquest. Whether Russia will or can act in the same sense on her allies I am unable to estimate. Doubtless England, with the assistance of her allies, is employing all her efforts to keep Russia harnessed to England's war chariot and to traverse Russian wishes for the speedy restoration of the world's peace.

Proffer of Peace to Russia

"If, however, Russia wants to prevent further bloodshed and renounces all violent plans of conquest for herself, if she wishes to restore durable relations of peaceful life side by side with us, then surely it is a matter of course that we, as we share this wish, will not disturb the permanent relationship in the future and will not render its development impossible by demands which, indeed, do not accord with the freedom of nations and would deposit in the Russian Nation the germ of enmity. [Thunderous applause.]

"I doubt not that an agreement aiming exclusively at a mutual understanding could be attained which excludes every thought of oppression and which would leave behind no sting and no discord.

"Our military position has never been so good since the beginning of the war. The enemy in the west, despite his terrible losses, cannot break through. Our U-boats are operating with increasing success. I won't use any fine words about them-the deeds of our U-boat men speak for themselves. I think even the neutrals will recognize that.

"So far as compatible with our duty toward our own people, who come first, we take into account the interests of the neutral States. The concessions which we have made to them are not empty promises. That is the case in regard to our frontier neighbors. Holland and Scandinavia, as well as those States which, on account of their geographical position, are especially greatly exposed to enemy pressure. I am thinking in this connection especially of Spain, which, loyal to her noble traditions, is endeavoring under great difficulties to preserve her independent policy of neutrality. We thankfully recognize this attitude and have only one wish-that the Spanish people reap the reward of their strong, independent policy by further developing their power.

"Thus, time is on our side. With full confidence we can trust that we are approaching a satisfactory end. Then the time will come when we can negotiate with our enemies about our war aims, regarding which I am in full harmony with the supreme army command. Then we will attain a peace which will bring us liberty to rebuild what the war has destroyed in the unhampered development of our strength, so that from all the blood and all the sacrifices an empire, a people will rise again strong, independent, and unthreatened by its enemies, a bulwark of peace and labor."

A motion to end the debate was lost, after which the middle-of-the-road parties, made up of the Centrists, National Liberals, Progressive People's Party and German fraction presented a joint declaration approving the Chancellor's attitude.

Dr. Peter Spahn, leader of the Catholic Centre Party, spoke in behalf of the groups just mentioned, approving the Chancellor's attitude and declaring his resolute opposition to all enemy interference with Germany's domestic affairs. "If the enemy," he said, "is combating Prussian militarism and the Hohenzollerns in the illustrious person of the Emperor, it will only result in bringing his Majesty closer to the hearts of the German people."

A Republic Suggested

Georg Ledebour, an Independent Socialist, created a distinct stir by an allusion to a republic in his address following the Chancellor. He said:

"The Chancellor doubtless desires annexations both in the east and west. With the exception of extravagant visionaries, nobody believes that Germany can win a war of subjugation. The Russian Socialists have made an offer which opens up the possibility of peace. This is what the Chancellor forgets. It is true that a separate peace with Russia cannot be achieved, but the Russian Government can convert the Entente, and in this direction we ought to assist it.

"Herr Scheidemann must take up the cudgels against the Government if he does not want strong words, which do not shrink even from the announcement of a revolution, to be followed by deeds. We are convinced that events must happen in Germany as they have happened in Russia. That is what those in power are working for. We must soon introduce a republic in Germany, and we shall propose that the Constitution Committee take preparatory steps in that direction."

UNITED STATES

A British Commission headed by Lord Balfour and a French Commission headed by René Viviani conferred with American

officials in Washington on the conduct of the war.

Heavy loans, authorized by the Bond bill, were made to the Allies.

Military censorship was established over cables, telegraph lines, and telephone lines. On May 16 announcement was made that a squadron of American torpedo boats, under the command of Rear Admiral Sims, had safely crossed the Atlantic and was aiding the British fleet in patrolling the

seas.

The first hospital unit authorized by the United States Government arrived in England May 18.

The Army Conscription bill was passed by Congress and signed by President Wilson May 18. The President issued a proclamation fixing June 5 as the day for the registration of men between the ages of 21 and 30. Announcement was made that an expeditionary force of regular troops under Major Gen. Pershing would be sent to France at the earliest possible moment. SUBMARINE BLOCKADE

Dr. Karl Helfferich informed the Reichstag that more than 1,600,000 tons of shipping had been sunk by the Germans in February and March.

The British official announcement for the week ended April 29 showed that thirtyeight merchant ships of over 1,600 tons each had been sunk. The report for the week ended May 9 showed sixty-two vessels lost, but of smaller tonnage than in the three weeks preceding. In the week ended May 16 twenty-six vessels, eighteen of over 1,600 tons, were lost. Seventyfive Norwegian ships were sunk during April and more than 100 sailors lost their lives. Captain Persius estimated that the total tonnage of merchant craft destroyed by the Germans from the beginning of the war up to April 1 was 6,641,000. The Belgian relief ship Kongsli was sunk, either by a mine or a torpedo. Two British hospital ships, the Donegal and the Lanfranc, were sunk without warning and seventy-five men were killed, including some wounded German prisoners. Other British losses included the troopship Ballarat, the freighter Harpagus, and the transport Cameronia, on which 140 lives were lost. Ninety lives were lost

when the African steamer Abosso was torpedoed on April 24.

The list of American ships sunk included the schooners Woodward Abraham and Percy Birdsall, the oil tanker Vacuum, on which seventeen lives were lost; the unarmed steamer Hilonian, on which four persons were lost, and the Rockingham, with two persons killed. Germany disclaimed the sinking of the American tank steamer Healdton.

The Dutch fishing fleet was forced to sus

pend operations because of the constant torpedoing of vessels and because of Germany's failure to provide coal as she promised. Germany, in reprisal, announced that the Relief Commission would not be allowed to import fish for the population of Belgium and Northern France. Argentina sent an ultimatum to Germany demanding satisfaction for the sinking of the sailing ship Monte Protegido. Germany apologized and offered an indemnity.

Guatemala severed diplomatic relations with Germany.

The President of Haiti sent a message to Congress demanding a declaration of war against Germany. The Congress, acting in accordance with the report of a special commission, decided against war, but a strong protest was sent to Germany against the drowning of five Haitian citizens on the French steamship Montreal, with the announcement that diplomatic relations would be severed unless reparation was made.

Turkey severed diplomatic relations with the United States.

The Chinese House of Representatives refused to pass a resolution declaring war on Germany.

Liberia severed diplomatic relations with

Germany.

CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN EUROPE April 28-Increased activity of Russian guns near Lutsk and the Zlota Lipa, Marayuvka, and Putna Rivers.

May 5-Russian fire increases from Kovel to Stanislau.

May 6-German offensive beaten back near Zolotschevsk.

May 18-Russians beat back German attacks in the region of Shelvov. CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN EUROPE April 19-French occupy Aizy, Jouy, Laffaux, and Fort de Condé, in the Vailly

district, take several heights east of Moronvillers, and carry trench lines near Auberive.

April 20-French occupy Sancy and drive Germans to heights dominated by Malmaison Fort; Germans announce abandonment of the bank of the River Aisne, between Condé and Soupir. April 21-French push forward toward ridge topped by the Chemin des Dames and make progress south of Juvincourt; British capture Gonnelieu, drawing their lines closer around Havrincourt Wood. April 22-British close in on Havrincourt

Wood and take part of Trescault; Germans repulsed by French in attack on Mont Haut.

April 23-French repulse German attacks in Belgium.

April 24-British advance east of Monchy and between Monchy and the Sensée River; French improve their positions south of St. Quentin,

April 25-British advance south of the Scarpe and extend their lines from Trescault to Bilhemion, south of the Bapaume-Cambrai Road.

April 26-French beat off German counterattacks near the Chemin des Dames. April 28-British begin new attack north of the Scarpe, capture German positions on a two-mile front north and south of Arleux, push forward northeast of Gravelle, and gain ground north of Monchy. April 29-British capture German trenches south of Oppy on a front of half a mile. April 30-French make new attack in Champagne and capture trenches on both sides of Mont Carnillet.

May 2-French in Champagne push forward south of Beire.

May 3-British penetrate the Hindenburg line west of Queant, take Fresnoy, and part of Bullecourt.

May 4-French capture Craonne and German first line trenches on a front of two and a half miles northwest of Rheims. May 5-French carry a salient in the Hindenburg line on both sides of the Soissons-Laon Road, on a front of nearly four miles, clear Craonne Plateau from east of Cerny-en-Laonnais to a point east of Craonne, and push forward to the hills dominating the valley of the Aillette River. May 6-French clear all but a small section of the Chemin des Dames; British repulse strong German counterattacks on their new positions near Bullecourt. May 8-Germans retake Fresnoy. May 9-British regain part of the ground lost

at Fresnoy and repel attacks near Gavrelle; French capture first line of German trenches northeast of Chevreux and repulse attacks on the plateau of Chemin des Dames.

May 11-Allies repulse German attacks against Lens and in the Cerny section. May 12-British troops enter Bullecourt and

capture fortified works at Roeux and Cavalry Farm; French in Verdun region penetrate German line north of Bezon

vaux.

May 13-British advance their outposts north of Bullecourt and take part of Roeux Village.

May 14-British capture the whole of Roeux and advance toward Oppy.

May 15-Germans launch four massed attacks on new British positions in Bullecourt and penetrate first French line southwest of Filaine.

May 16-British forced back temporarily at Roeux, but retake all positions; Germans strike hard northeast of Soissons, but are driven back by French counterattacks. May 17-British complete the capture of Bullecourt; French win ground east of Craonne and repulse attacks in Laffaux district; many villages near St. Quentin afire.

May 18-Germans repulsed by French with grenades near Craonne; French penetrate German lines in Lorraine near Petoncourt. BALKAN CAMPAIGN

April 20-French recapture trenches lost April 18 near Trsvena Stena. April 22-Fighting renewed in the bend of the Cerna River and near Lake Doiran. April 23-Russians drive Teutons from advanced posts in Rumania and re-establish first lines.

April 26-British take Bulgar trenches west of Lake Doiran on a 1,000-meter front. May 5-French and Venizelist troops in Macedonia occupy enemy positions in the region of Jumnica.

May 9-Russian troops on the Rumanian front northwest of Senne break through Teuton positions and advance upon Jenawer.

May 10-British take two miles of Bulgar trenches.

May 12-Germans and Bulgarians gain a foothold on Srka di Legen, west of the Vardar heights; Venizelos troops carry an enemy work near Lymnitsa. May 16-British troops in Macedonia capture Kjupri, on the Struma front, and advance trenches on a wide front southwest of Ernekeoi.

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN

May 13-Italians begin terrific bombardment to destroy Austrian defenses on the Carso front.

May 15-Italians take the offensive on the Isonzo front and make progress in the Plava area, on the slopes of Monte Cucco, and on the hills east of Gorizia and Vertobizza.

May 16-Italians force a passage of the Isonzo River, capturing Bombrez, Zagora, and Zagomila.

May 17-Italians cross the Isonzo River and take Mount Kuk; right wing takes Duino, on the way to Trieste.

The Germans reported that 362 French and British airplanes were brought down in April, but admitted the loss of only seventy-four of their own. In three days, April 23 to April 25, the Allies reported fifty-five German machines brought down and thirty-nine of their own lost. From May 1 to May 7 seventy-six German airplanes were brought down, according to a French report. A compilation from official sources showed 717 machines lost in April-369 German, 201 French and Belgian, and 147 British. The Germans bombarded Dunkirk, Nancy, and Belfort. In response for the bombardment of Châlons and Epernay by the Germans, French aviators bombarded Treves, on the Saare River.

The British steamer Gena was torpedoed and sunk by a German seaplane off the coast of Suffolk. German airplanes dropped bombs northeast of London on May 7, killing one person and injuring two. The Zeppelin L-22 was brought down in the North Sea by a British naval battleplane. British aviators aided the attacking British

monitors in a raid off Zeebrugge and photographed the entire Belgian coast, mapping the German defenses.

NAVAL RECORD

A Russian destroyer sank ten schooners in the Black Sea. The Germans made several raids off the

coast of England. On April 21 two German destroyers were sunk near Dover. Berlin reported a British outpost vessel destroyed and a scouting ship torpedoed. On April 27 German destroyers bombarded Ramsgate, but were driven off by land batteries after an attack in which a man and a woman were killed. British light cruisers and destroyers chased eleven German destroyers between the English and the Dutch coasts. One German torpedo boat was damaged. German warships bombarded Calais, killing

and wounding civilians. A French destroyer was sunk in a raid on Dunkirk. A British torpedo-boat destroyer hit a mine on May 4. One officer and sixty-one men

were lost. A British mine sweeper was torpedoed and sunk May 5, with the loss of two officers and twenty men. British warships, aided by an air fleet, bombarded Zeebrugge on May 12, destroying two submarine sheds and killing sixtythree persons.

The armed American steamer Mongolia fired on a German submarine in British waters on April 19 and damaged it. American warships began operations in the North Sea, and Japanese warships arrived at Marseilles to combat submarines off the coast of France. Fourteen British mine sweepers were sunk, the British light cruiser Dartmouth was torpedoed, and an Italian destroyer was sunk in a raid by Austrian light cruisers in the Adriatic Sea.

RUSSIA

On May 5 the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates adopted a vote of confidence in the Provisional Government by a small majority. There followed, however, a period of bitter conflict between the council and the Government. Generals Korniloff, Brusiloff, and Gurko resigned from the army, but the last two withdrew their resignations after partial harmony was restored. General Guchkoff resigned as Minister of War. He was succeeded by A. F. Kerensky. Paul N. Milukoff resigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs and was succeeded by Tereschenko. On May 16 the Government, the Executive Committee of the Duma, and the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates agreed on a basic program, including continuance of the war. A Coalition Cabinet, containing five representatives of the Socialist groups, was formed, with Prince Lvoff retained as Premier.

MISCELLANEOUS

Labor troubles and riots occurred in several cities in Germany because of food scarcity. The Constitution Committee of the Reichstag adopted several proposals to restrict the authority of the Emperor. Chancellor von Bethmann Hollweg in a speech to the Reichstag on May 15 announced Germany's willingness to make easy peace terms with Russia, but made no offer to the other Entente Allies.

A new Cabinet was formed in Greece by Alexander Zaimis.

General Pétain was appointed Commander in Chief of the French armies operating on the French front.

A new Cabinet was formed in Spain, with Marquis Manuel Garcia Prieto as Premier. Announcement was made that strict neutrality would be maintained.

Brazil issued a proclamation of neutrality in respect to the war between the United States and Germany. Dr. Lauro Muller resigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Nilo Pecanha was appointed to succeed him.