New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-15
GERMAN CHANCELLOR
REPLIES TO VIVIAN
Declares That 1t Was Not Germany That lhwar'eo
Idea of Four Power Mediation but Military
Measures Taken by Entente Powers

ccllor. DR.. Won Bethmann-iollWtbi h"'
dispatched the following circular 10 all
imperial ambassadors and ministers;
General Headquarters. Dec. q, 1914
The speech made by Prime Minister
Niviani in the French chamber contains
n passage to the effect that on July 81
France and Russia had consented 70
the English proposal TO stop all mill
tary preparations and TO enter negoua-
tons in London. II Germany had CON
scented. he said, it would have been
possible to preserve peace TO this very
last hour.
"The above statement, made IN the
French chamber, is untrue. Since }
cannot deny the falsehood from the
tribune Of the German Diet at pres
ent, | consider it necessary to trans
nit to your excellency the following
statement, with the request to make
the furthest possible use Of 1t;
"The British conference proposal,
which is printed in the British White
Book under No. SO, bears the date Of
July 26. It's substance was that repre-
sentatives from Germany, France and
Italy should meet Sir Edward Grey IN
London for the purpose OF finding a
way out Of the difficulties which had
originated in the SCrvian question.
Germany from the commencement TOOK
the stand that the Austro -Servlan con
nict was a matter that affected only the
two states Immediately concerned. SIR
Edward himself acknowledged that
view later on.
Conference Unacceptable TO Austria.
Germany had TO decline the British
conference proposal because she could
not admit that Austria-Hungary, IN "a
question Of vital Importance TO her ma
tional interests. should submit 70 a
tribunal of the great powers. The Ger
man white book shows that Austria
Hungary. too. regarded the conference
proposal as unacceptable. by her DEC
laration of war on Scrvia she had
made il quite clear that she meant 70
regulate the Scrvian question alone ana
without any interference on the part
Of the powers. At the same time, how
ever, IN order TO satisfy all just Rus
sian claims. she declared that she did
not covct any Servian territory.
"As Russia was not content with this
assurance, the Scrvian question de-
veloped into a European question,
which first declared itself in a tension
between Austria-Hungary and Russia.
~ order 10 prevent this tension from
leading 10 a European confagration Il
new ground had 10 be found on which
mediation could be tried by the pow
ers.
ut is Germany's merit TO have en-
tered that ground first. Our Secretary
Of State, Won Jagow. had an interview
with the British Ambas sador on July
p, in the course Of which he pointed
out that he saw in Eussia's desire for
direct negotiation with Austria-Hungary
a relaxation of the situation and the
best prospect for a pacific solution.
This desire. which also. according 20
the Russian opinion, eliminated for the
time being the British conference idea,
was from the first day when it was eX-
pressed supported at Vienna by Ger
many to the best of her power. It is
not possible for any state to have en-
deavored with more honesty and energy
to save the peace Of the world than
/ Germany did.
/ England AbandOns Conference Idea.
ENGLAND herself now abandoned her
conference proposal and likewise sup
ported the idea Of direct negotiations
between Berlin and st. Petersburg
white Book 60.
Z "But these negotiations met with diff
fculties not created by the two central
powers, but by the three powers Of the
entente. If Germany's endeavors were
to succeed. not only was the good Will
of the powers not Immediately con-
cerned necessary, but the powers prin-
cipally concerned had, furthermore, to
keep quiet, for if either of the two
powers should disturb the proceeding
mediation by taking military measures
il was evident from the beginning that
the action which was under way could
never be successful.
"Now | come to the good will Of the
powers. The French Yellow Book
clearly shows the attitude of France.
+ She did not trust German assurances.
Every step taken by the German Am
bassador, Baron Won Schoen, was re-
ceived with dstrust. His wish that
France should exercise a restraining
Influence at St. Petersburg was disre-
garded, for we're not the steps of
Baron Won Schoen merely meant to
! compromise France in the eyes Of Rus
STA "a compromettre la France au re-
gard de la Russie)? It is quite evident
from the French Yellow Book that
France did not take a single positive
step in the interest Of peace.
England First TO Take War Measure.
"Now "a to England's attitude. In