Evening star., 1916-03-16
CONTEST OF FACTIONS
DEVELOPS IN BERLIN
Downfall of Admiral Won Tirpitz,
Who Advocated Merciless Sub
marine Warfare.
MESSAGES PASSED BY CENSOR
Peaceful Solution of Controversy
With This Country Is Foreshad-
owed-Kaiser' Attitude In
terpreted as Pacificatory.


Emperor William : determine.
ton not 10 provoke break with
the United States in the new
submarine campaign. even though
it involves factional contest in
the German reichstag-havine al
ready brought about the downfall
of Grand Admiral Won 1'irpitz
himseli-is indicated in today's
Berlin dispatches
The tone OF these dispatches
from the German capital. al
though guarded and veilcd. is
taken here to prove the suprem
acy oi the emperor, Chancellor
Won Bethman-lIollwcg. Foreign
Minister Won Iagow and the
army. who have been opposing
the plan OF Admiral Won Tirpitz
and the navy party to carry the
submarine campaign to mcrci-
less destruction oi all neutral
shipping TO enemy ports.
Augury for Peaceful Solution.
| Showing the decision OF the emperor
and his supporters TO reject subna-
rine policy practically certain to bring
about break in relations with the
United States. if not actually war. the
development is regarded here as po-
tent augury for peaceful solution Of
the situation with Germany. BY some
it is regarded the most important
development toward the continuance Of
eooG relations between the countries
that has come about since the period
of strained relations began almost q
year ago.
Designed to Prepare America.
The passage Of today's Berlin dis.
patches by the German censor is re-
Sarded as showing the desire OF the
German foreign office to prepare the
American people for such contest in
Congress between two factions over
the armed ship question
1t is believed that the contest will
result in probably harsh attacks upon
the United States and the German gov
ernment itself by the Won Tirpitz ele-
ment, and for that reason officials and
diplomats. reading between the lines.
foresee an intention to prepare the
United States for what is expected to
develop result of the emperors
ici..
Emperor Presides at Conference
About fortnight ago. it is UNDER
stood, conference was held in Berlin
presided over by the emperor himself
and attended by Chancellor Won Beth
mann Hollweg, Herr Won Jagow and
Gen. Won Falkenhayn. chief of staff.
and it is believed that Admiral Won Tir-
pitz himself was called in. The discus
sion turned Oh submarine warfare gem
orally. and particularly upon the atti-
tude OF the United States. Subsequent
events in the American Congress were
forecast with remarkable accuracy.
The general understanding was that
it was the emperor himself who decia-
Ell that every effort should be made to
retain the friendship of the United
States short of abandoning any prin
ciples involving the honor of the Ger
man nation. The result the reiec-
tion of the proposed extension of sub
marine warfare to affect neutral nH
tions Won Tirpitzs retirement follow
ed, naturally, the rejection of the plans
he had fathered.
1t is ISalized in Washington that Ber-
lin is now to witness conflict between
the emperor and a powerful element
in the reichstas, wrought up 10 high
pitch of indignation over the con-
demnation of the Won Tirpitz plans.
Opposition in Prussia.
Today's Berlin dispatches. that Herr
Won Jagow spurned the adverse criti-
cism of the prussian diet. are taken to
show that in the contest the emperor
may find himself even in the position
of antaSonism and forceful domina.
tion of "A majority of his own beloved
I'russians.
the German government is reliably
represented as having no intention OF
departing from its announced policy Of
regarding armed merchantmen of the
entente allies as warships. At the
same time ii will shape its campaign so
as to obviate all possibility of trouble
with the United States and every effort
viii be eNerted, il is said. to avoid
friction with neutrals generally.
Outline of Won Tirpitz Policy.
The policy which brought about the
downfall of Won Tirpitz one which,
if entered upon. would have had serious
results for the relations between Ger
many and the United States II pro.
posed the SINKING of all ships, whether
neutral or enemy. bound TO or from
ports of Great Britain and her allies
Even now, according toA information
reaching here, members OF the Tirpitz
faction, especially in the reichstag are
contending that Germany is conduct
naval warfare
subservient to the wishes of the United
States. Strong efforts, it is indicated.
will be put forth TO counteract such
charges and other criticism of q like
ofrrrA