“Besides Ramsay Macdonald and Philip Snowden, our friend J.T.  Walton Newbold has got on the nerves of the English patriots."[86] These gentlemen invariably receive polite mention, but French Socialists are evidently in disfavour—­presumably because they know too well the German game.

[Footnote 86:  Leipziger Volkszeitung, July 23rd, 1915.]

The peace programme of the German Socialists has been published.  An official declaration of the party which appeared on August 23rd, 1915, gives the following conditions.

“While caring for the national interests and rights of our own people, and at the same time respecting the vital interests of all nations, German Social Democracy strives for a peace which bears the guarantee of permanence, and will bring the European States closer together in matters of justice, culture, and commerce.  In this sense we have drawn up the following scheme: 

“I.  The security of German independence and the entirety of the German Empire, which implies the rejection of all annexation plans on the part of our opponents.  That includes the French plan to re-incorporate Alsace-Lorraine with France, no matter in what form that end may be sought.

“II.  In order to secure free economic development for the German nation, we demand: 

“(a) The ‘open door,’ i.e., equal rights for commercial and such-like activities in all colonial territories.

“(b) The inclusion of the most-favoured-nation clause in the articles of peace of all the nations now at war.

“(c) The furthering of an economic entente by abolishing tariffs, etc., as far as possible.

“(d) The equalization and improvement of the social-political institutions according to ideals aimed at by the workmen’s international party.

“(e) The freedom of the seas is to be guaranteed by an international treaty.  To this end the right of capture at sea must be abolished, and all straits and narrows of importance for world commerce, must be internationalized.

“III.  In the interests of Germany’s security and the free exercise of commercial and economic efforts in South-Eastern Europe, we reject all the warlike aims of the Quadruple Alliance to weaken or disintegrate Austria-Hungary and Turkey.

“IV.—­In consideration of the fact that the annexation of territories inhabited by another race transgresses the rights of nations to govern themselves; furthermore because thereby, the unity and strength of Germany would be weakened and her foreign relations seriously and permanently injured, we oppose the plans in that direction cherished by shortsighted conquest-politicians.[87]

[Footnote 87:  There are two and a half lines of dots at this point.  Probably the German censor has cut out a sentence.]

“V.—­The terrible destruction and sufferings brought upon humanity by this war have won over millions of hearts to the ideal of a world peace, permanently secured by an international court of justice.  The attainment of this end must be recognized as the highest moral duty of all those who are appointed to the work of framing a peace.  Therefore we demand that an international arbitration court shall be created which shall settle all future difference between the nations."[88]