Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-17
REICHSTAG SPLIT OVER
POLICY OF DEFYING OR
YIELDING TO AMERICA
V o n Tirpitz's Resignation
Causes Crisis and Submarine
Future Will Be Debated
Next Week
INSURGENCY" SHOW N

LONDON, March 17.-Dr. Won Beth.
mann Hollweg may resign the post of
German Imperial Chancellor saws a
Geneva dispatch to the Daily Express.
1t quotes from Berlin reports, which
also say that Prince Bernhard Won
Buelow, the former Chancellor, is ex.
pected to leave Lucerne for Berlin at
an early date.
BERLIN, via Amsterdam. March IL
For the first time since the beginning Of
the war all Is not harmony among the
! various representations in the Reichstag
When the German parliamentary body
reconvened Wednesday II became at once
evident that the Socialists. heretofore the
only party from which trouble was ex-
pected and usually came. are not the only
dissenters, but that there is strong
undercurrent of opposition to the Govern
ment even among the National Liberals
and Conservatives, hitherto its most loyal
supporters.
Two Independent causes re 81,
signed to the sudden discomfort: the res
ignation of Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz
as Minister OF Marine and the impression
created thereby that the Government has
completely Surrendered" to the Amer
lean protests on submarine warfare.
which. In turn, is interpreted as mean
ing that Germany is to be virtually de-
prived of her most effective weapon
against the Allies.
oMINoUs TENSION.
Berlin's political atmosphere is fraupht
with ominous tension. Many Reichstag
delegates who thus far have proved the
Governments chief pillars, are now openly
threatening insurgency"
AS result of this unprecedented sit
uation the Government has deemed II best
10 allow discussion of the Governments
foreign policy. and through the medium
OF a speech by Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hoilweg reviewing and explaining this
poIicy, TO invite an open debate. 1t has
round II wise. however. to let a week
elapse before this fun discussion. the first
OF It's Kind during the war is to be al.
lowed. The speech and debate are sched.
uled for Friday of next week.
1t is an open secret that the sudden
turmoil within the ranks Of the Rechstag
delegates is reflection of the. general
sentiment Of the bulk of the nation. which
has long been fostering feeling stronger
than dislike for the United States because
or the latters raising n restraining hand
whenever the German people were prom
ised new submarine campaign against
the Allies maritime trade.
FATHER OF GERMAN NAVY"
Closely connected with this question
Is the resignation of Grand Admiral Won
Tirpitz There Is no concealing the ma.
10 fpFa t1gE. 4.
monty interpreted as a shelving of the
man who through his indefatigable work
or half century has come to be idol.
lied by the people as "the father of the
German navy" and to whom the many
naval exploits of the war on the part of
auxiliary cruisers and commerce
raiders have been directly attributed. not
to speak of the submarine warfare, which |
has never failed to be certain of the whole |
nations approval.
The Government, in confirming Won
Ttrpttz's resignation, hastened to assure |
the public that under his successor. Ad- |!
mlral Won Capelle, the C-boat warfare |
will be carried on without abatement or |
The Overseas News Agency, !
a semolIicial establishment, supplements |
this BY saying that Admiral Won Capeles |
appointment as Minister of Marine is not |
Of Importance in relation to the question |
OF submarine warfare, Since the direc-
llon OF submarine warfare is IN the hands |
Of the Chief of the Admiralty"
The whole situation is expected to be !
thoroughly threshed out in the Rechstag |
next week. A special parliamentary body |
at meeting yesterday decided that there !
Is a general desire for frank and open |
debate on the underlying motives of the
Governments attitude toward neutrals. |
toward the United States.
Thus, Germany will In all probability
witness next week a parliamentary spec
tacle almost parallel to that which took
place in the American Congress recently
The debate will be an omen demonstration
lf the Rechstag members for and against
Lhe United States. There may even be
such a thing as a governmental demand
for a vote Of confidence. Bitter foes of
he United States will clash with the con-
,iliRtory element which is bent upon pre-
serving peace with America-and this
element, it appears, Is led by the Govern
nent.
In a controversy with members of the
Ways and Means Committee of the Prus-
sian Diet regarding the Diets competence
o discuss the American and other issues
If foreign and military policy Foreign
Minister Won Jagow admitted yesterday
he Diets right TO discuss anything IL
Jaw fit, but declared that the Government
,ould not and would not accept advice or
criticism ION those matters which are be-
'ond the competence of the PTussian
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