Count Hertling, the German Chancellor, speaking in the Reichstag on
Monday, said that 31r. Runciman's recent suggestion of a meeting of belligerents would be a way to remove misunderstandings as to questions " which can really be settled only by a compromise." He was thinking, lie said, especially of Belgium. " It has been repeatedly said from this place that we do not think of retaining Belgium or of making the Belgian State a component part of the German Empire, but that we must, as was also set forth in the Papal Note of August let, 1917, be safeguarded from the danger that a country, with which after the war we desire to live again in peace and friendship, should become an object or jumping-off ground of enemy machinations " This statement is just as am- biguous as all preceding statements on the subject, but it can only mean that Germany does not intend to recognize the complete and absolute independence of Belgium until she is forced to do so. We cannot make any compromise on this question, however long the war may last, and Germany knows it.
