Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-25
''SCRAP OF PAPERS"
MEANING TWISTED
Won BethmannHollweg Explains
What He Said in Regard
to Treaty.
HAD REFERENCE TO ENGLAND
Accuses That Country of Putting
Self-Interest Above Bel
gian Neutrality

OF TIE GERMAN ARMIES IN
uary 2i.-"I am surprised to learn
that my phrase - scrap OF paper
which | used in my last conversation
with the British ambassador in refer
cnce 10 the Belgian neutrality treaty.
should have caused such an unfavor-
able impression In the United states
The expression was used I'm quite an
other competition. and the meaning i'm
piled in Sir William Edward Goschen's
report and the turn given Il In the
biased comment of our enemies un-
doubtedly are responsible for this i'm
preston"
ID! ThcobalG Won Bethmann -Iioll-
veg. German Imperial Chancellor. made
this statement to n representative of
The Associated Press in villa a,
German field headquarters In Northern
France. serving as the office and dwell
ing OF the Chancellor. the Foreign Min
lister, Gottlicb Won Jagow. and the diplo
matte suite accompanying Emperor
William aieid.
.SCRAP OF PAPER"
ONLY TO ENGLAND
The Chancellor explained that he had
spoken of the treaty, not as a scrap
OF paper for Germany. but as an instru-
ment which had become obsolete
through Belgiums forfeiture of neu-
trality: and that Great Britain had
quite other reasons for entering :he
war, compared with which the neu-
;raity treaty appeared to have only
the value OF n scrap of paper.
My conversation with Sir Edward
-.ioschen,.'- said the Chancellor ..oc-.
Cured August 4. had just declared
in the Reichstag that only dire neces-
sity and only the struggle for existence
compelled Germany to march through
Belgium. but that Germany was ready
10 make compensation for the wrong
committed.
When spoke had certain indica-
lions, but no absolute proof, that Bel
Sium long before had abandoned its
neutrality in its relations with Eng
land. Nevertheless, took Germany's
responsibilities toward the neutral
state so seriously that I spoke frankly
or The wrong committed by Germany.
What was the British attitude on
the same question? The day before
my conversation with Ambassador Cos
chen Sir Edward Grey had delivered
his well-known speech In Parliament, in
which. while he had not stated express
ly that England would take part In
the war, he had left the matter in lit
tie doubt.
ENGLAND'S INTERVENTION
WAS FOR SELF-INTEREST
one needs only TO read this speech
through carefully to learn the reason
for EnGland's intervention Amid all
ms beautiful phrases about England's
honor and obligations. we find IL over
ana over again expressed that Eng
lands interests--its own interests-call
for participation In the war for II Is
not in England's interests that a vic
torious and therefore. stronger Ger
many should emerge from the war.
This old principle OF English policy
TO take rs the sole criterion Of its .c-
uons its private interests regardless
or right reason or considerations OF
humanity-is expressed in that speech
of iladstonc's in 1870 on Belgian neu-
trality. from which Sir Edward quoted.
Mr.. Gladstone then declared he was
unaplc TO subscribe to the doctrine thai
the simple fact OF the existence of Il
guarantee is binding on every party
thereto. irrespective altogether of the
particular position in which 1t may
hnd Itself at a time when the occasion
for action on tho guarantee arrives.
and he referred to such English states
men as Aberdeen and PaImerston as
supporters OF his views
England drew the sword onIy be
cause 1t believed Its own interests do
manded 1t. Just for Belgian neutrality
1t would never have entered the war.
That is what I meant when told Sir
1sfl ard
sons which has Impelled England TN
go into war the Belgian neutrality
treaty had for her only the value Of
n scrap of paper.
SEES LIFT2S WORK
GOING FOR NAUGIT
Il may have been n bit excited and
arouSed-who would not have been ot
seeing the hopes and tho work OF tho
whole period Of my chnncellorship go
ing for naught? / recalled to the am
bassador my efforts for years to brine
about nm understanding between Eng
land and Germany, which would mako
4 general European war impossible
such an understanding would have
formed the basis on which we could
have approached tho United States as
n third partner. But England had nor
taken up this plan, and through its on
try into the war destroyed forever the
hope of It's fulnllmcnt
I'm comparison with such momentous
was the treaty not
scrap OF paper? England ought really
to cease harping on this theme OF
Belgian neutrality. AZ you know, we
found In Tho archives Of the Belgian
Foreign Office documents showing that
England I'm 1911 was determined TO