Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-21
DR.. Won Bethmann-HoIIWeg
Said to Control Won Tirpitz
Developments.
CHANCELL0R'S CRISIS
is NOT NOW EXPECTED
Submarine Resolutions Not Expect
ed to Be Openly Discussed
in Reichstag.

BERLIN. March 2I.-Friends of the
imperial chancellor. DR.. Won Bethmann-
Hollweg. are now quite confident that
he has well in hand the political situa-
ton connected with the displacement
of Admiral Won Tirpitz as minister of
marine, and that there need be no fear
that it will develop into what is termed
a chancellor's crisis. They believe the
national liberal and conservative reso-
luton calling for unlimited use of sub
marines against hostile vessels with
the exception of passenger ships may
not even come to the point of open dis
cussion and vote in the reichstag
Avoid Interpretations.
The prime movers in the agitation
Herr Won Heydebrand. conservative
leader in the reichstag, and Mai. Ernst
Basserman, national liberal leader
have avoided introduction OF interpret
lations to which the chancellor would
be forced to reply, and have chosen to
clothe their proposals in the form of
resolutions which, unless they are made
urgent measures, will take their place
in the regular order of resolutions. So
many other important resolutions have
precedence that discussion of the sub
marine proposals in this event would
be postponed indefinitely. In any case.
the chancellor scarcely will speak upon
the subject matter of the resolutions
unless he is compelled to do SO.
Composed Of Two Elements.
The movement which found express
sion in the resolutions is composed of
two constituent elements. First. there
is the large body Of popular opinion.
which. honestly interested in the sub
marine weapon, desires that it may
have an opportunity to display its eff
cacy unhampered by political restric-
lions. This element generally is un-
aware of the political motives which
play a part in the movement. Second.
there are those who are now and long
have been DESTROYS of having another
chancellor-one who would permit dis
cussion of peace terms, the projects of
the annexationists and the sharpening
of political dangers. This element
would renounce the idea Of Prussian
franchise reform after the war and ad-
minister a check to the socialists as a
party entitled to a voice in the affairs
of the nation. Some of these have Ad
miral Won Tirpitz in mind as the prop
err chancellor. while others have no
special candidate for the post.
Stronger Than Expected.
The chancellor, his friends say. has
proved much stronger than his oppo-
nents expected. both at headquarters,
where he won in the test of strength,
and among the people. where he has
widespread support, particularly of the
great body of lower middle classes.
The moderate character of. the chan
ceiior's ideas regarding the nature of
Germany's ultimate peace program and
the advisable of avoiding measures
which might bring new enemies into
the field. which gained for him opposi-
ton of the pan-Germans and the more
extreme annexationists, brought him
popular support. With such assistance
and with the aid of the more enlight-
ened public opinion the chancellor is
confident of his ability to control the
situation.
the conflict. it is said, advocates of un-
restricted use of submarines argued
that by proclamation of regular
blockade and declaration of intention
to sing all merchant ships bound for
England it would be possible to force
Great Britain to make peace overtures
within two months.
This argument found a certain
amount of support at headquarters I'M
til it was checked by the counter ar
gument that the effect probably would
be to lengthen instead of shorten the
war, owing to the effect on neutrals.
To Consider Resolutions.
The Zeitung am Mittag says there is
reason to believe that committee of
senior members" of the reichstag will
meet before the session on Wednesday
to consider how the various resolu-
tons regarding the desirability of ac-
lively prosecuting the submarine war
fare may best be handled. They proba-
bly, will be referred to the budget com
mittee. A movement is under way to
prevent the open discussion of the reso-
buttons at the first reading in full ses
sion and to have the first consideration
of them taken privately before the
This also. the newspaper
adds, is apparently the government
wish