Count Hertling went on to say that Germany condemned an
economic war—the one thing which she fears most—and that she would talk about the limitation of armaments. Great Britain must discuss the colonial question with America, but Germany "demanded unconditionally " the " reconstruction of the colonial possessions of the world "—not merely the return of her lost colonies. The evacua- tion of Rissian territories was not a matter that concerned any one but Russia and the Central Powers. Germany would decline to discuss the question of Belgium until the Allies accepted unre- servedly the integrity of all enemy territory as " the only possible foundation for peace negotiations." In other words, we must abandon the Arabs and Syrians to their fate before we can begin to talk of Belgium, though " the forcible annexation of Belgium by the German Empire " had not formed part of the German programme. The occupied parts of France were a valuable pawn in German hands. Germany and France must agree as to " the conditions and mode of the evacuation, which must take into consideration the vital interests of Germany." " We will never permit ourselves to be robbed of Alsace-Lorraine."
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