The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-30
Cites Failure of u. S. to En-
force International Law
Against Bri,iph Violation
SAYS EXPECTATIONS
OF HIS COUNTRY
WERE DISAPPOINTED
Refers to Russia and Says
Germany Will Not Aid In
Restoring Gar. Whose Greed
for Land Brought On War

Berlin, via Sayville, wireless,
March %. IF war comes be-
tween the United States and
Germany the blame will not be
Germany's.
This was the burden Of a
statement made in the reich
stag today by the Imperial
Chancellor DIR. Won Bethmann-
Hollweg. in the course Of a
lengthy speech on the interna-
tional situation. dealing chief
~ with Germany's relations
with the United States and
with Russia.
There was nothing concilia-
tory in his remarks regarding
America: nothing which in any
way could be interpreted as the
remotest "feeler" for modifi-
cation. arbitration or media
ton.
a notable feature of his
statement was that he spoke in
variably of the american
government" or the govern
ment of the United States"
He asserted that Germany
never did. nor does now. desire
war with America, and that she
never had nor has now the
"slightest intention to attack
the United States.F
Quotes President
He reiterated that unrestricted L.
boat warfare was forced upon Ger
MANY by the British blockade. He
pointed out usin- the English words.
tfe4t President Wilson and Secretary
q State lansing themselves had call
ed the british blockade Illegal and
indefen sibie.'' Germany, he said.
waited eight months for the United
States 10 make England observe the
laws Of humanity and international
agreements
Then" he continued. I'VE took I'M
restricted submarine warfare into our
own hands. Then we had to do so for
our own defense.
The chancellor said:
Within a few days the representa-
tives OF the American nation will be
convened by President Wilson for an
extraordinary session of congress in
order to decide the question of war
or peace between the American and
German nations. ..
Never intended to Attack L. s.
Germany never had the. slightest
intention TO attack the United States
Of America. nor does Ii have any such
Intention now. It never desired war
with the tinted States of America,
nor does ii desire II today.
More than once we told the United
States that we would make unres-
tricted use Of the submarine unless
England could be made to observe in
her policy of blockade the laws OF
humanity and international agree
ments.
This blockade policy-this I OK
pressly recalled. has been called ~
legal and indefensive' tthe chancellor
President Wilson and Secretary OF
Expectations Disappointed.
Our expectations. which we held
for eight months. were completely
disappointed: England not only did
not give up her illegal and indefen-
sible policy of blockade, but uninter-
ruptedly intensified It,
England. together with her allies.
arrogantly rejected the peace offers
made by us and our allies and pro-
claimed aims OF war which meant the
anpihilation OF ourselves and our al
lies.
Then We took unrestricted sub
marine warfare into our hands. Then
we had to do 80 for our own d >fense.
III the f'nerican nation considers
this cause for declaring war against
the German nation. with which II has
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