The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-04
Dr. Von Bethmann-HolIweg Frankly Discusses Exsit-
 ing Conditions
SAYS ENGLAND
 IS RESPONSIBLE
Confident of Ultimate German Victory But Unable to Predict the Length of War--Friendly Toward
 America

Berlin. December 2a.-tCorrespond- ence of Associated PressD--Thc im- perial chancellor. pr. Non Bethmnnn- Hoiiweg. today discussed frankly with n correspondent of the Associated Press the Belgian relief situation. the contraband question, industrial Ger many's adaptation 10 war conditions, Germany's sentiment toward her enc- mics md toward America, and the question of responsibility for the war.
 which lie attributes to Great Britain. "I did not want this war; he said with
 striking emphasis. .Wc Germans ao not cherish hate"
 Four months and a half of war have not passed lightly over the chancellor. With srizzlod, close-cropped beard and clad in the uniform of lieutenant general. he seemed much older than the scholarly. frocf-coated statesman of Relchstag de- bates. His face and eyes show signs of great strain,
 He spoke with cohfideuce of ultimate German victory, but a weary, expressive shrug of the shoulders was his answer to query as to the possible duration of the war. He had only this afternoon re- eel, ed word that his son, a young cav airy lieutenant, had been badly wounded and captured in Poland. Of that how
 ever. he made no mention when stating that the situation In the east appeared very favorable.
 The interview took place in the reccp- ton room of the historic Chaneellors mansion in Wilhelm strasse, around which cluster memories of Bismarck. caprivi, Hohenlohe and Buelow. A por- | trait of Emperor William, inscribed with
 words of warm appreciation. stood on the
 table.
 News Conditions I The conversation turned first to news
 conditions. snd difficulties of psesenting
 the German vicwpotnt to American read
 CTS owing to British and French control
 of the cables. This the chancellor re-
 gretted. lie felt t great injustice. l We shall" remarked the chancellor, shortly issue full reports of the earlier
 battles; for example, the battle of Tan nenberg that on the Masuran lakes and
 the battle on the Marne."
 1 To remark on how little was known
 abi oad concerning Tannenberg he rejoined quickly: "One of the greatest battles in history. One of the greatest? The great est l should say
 Ills there any truth he was asked. "in | int .nti haf ia
 shipment of provisions to Belgium. and what Is the attitude of your government toward the American relief work there? | We are doing everything we can to assist it and are giving of our own sup | plies' he said We are very grateful to the Americans for 1t.
 Sorry For Belgians l We are very sorry for the Belgians. AsN | to our attitude on Belgian neutrality, l have spoken at length in the Rechstag. You have seen the documents published | in the North German Gazette, which show thut Belgium had abandoned its own nen- | trality long before the war" l AS to contraband the chancellor main- l tained that British regulations had been 1 dii ected not so much at absolute contra band In war materials as to raw stuffs l for German industries and at provisions, with the idea of starving out and ruinng | Germany economically. Germany, he add ed, was prepared to meet the situation. 1 "You have been here and have seen | conditions he continued. We have enc ugh, we can get along. Copper. oil, | rubber, we shall have enough of all. Brit 1 ish restrictions on trade are hurting neu- l tra' states more than they are Germany. They have affected the United States, have they not?
 "One remarkable feature of the war | hu p auanfnhilltN n n | industries. You have seen the way in l which she has been readjustlng her in
 dustries from peace purposes to those | of war. Oh. we have enough, he re- peated in dsmissing the subject. | What about financing the wsrs'
 There Is no trouble about that. You l lCnniinucI on Pngc EiphtA