The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-07-17
HOLLWEG
FOR BREAK With
UNITED STATES
German Newspapers Free
ly Criticise the Retir-
ing Chancellor
SUBMARINES NOT
MANAGED SKILFULLY
Demand That New Chancel-
lor Outline His Peace
Program
(By Associated Press.)

Copenhagen, July lin their re-
view OF the administration Of the re-
firing German chancellor. DR.. Won
Bethmann- Hollweg. the German
newspapers comment prominently
and often in an uncomplimentary
manner on his treatment of relations
with America.
In The Vossische Zeitung, Georg
Bernhard openly accuses, DR.. Won
Bethmann- Hollweg and his foreign
secretary, DR.. Zimmermann. OF hav-
ing played a double game with
Washington, making war inevitable
by attempts to deceive and mislead
President Wilson in regard to the
policy and intentions Of Germany.
Herr Bernard intimates that the
submarine policy, IL managed skill
fully, might not have led to war with
the United States had not these dip
lomats artificially Increased the
danger and destroyed every chance
Of avoiding a break. He says they
encouraged the idea Of mediation by
President Wilson in America but did
nothing to make 1t acceptable at
home, and launched the proposal to
Mexico TO turn against the United
States while negotiating with Mr..
Wilson. and arranged the dinner to
Ambassador Gerard and approved
the text OF the speeches delivered at
the dinner and then astounded the
president and the ambassador with
the submarine note.
AS to this note, Herr Bernhard
says much more might be written II
patriotic considerations did not for
bid. After all, these acts, he con-
cluded, DR.. Won Bethmann- Hollweg
followed the customary course and
attempted to unload the entire re-
sponsibility on the former German
ambassador at Washington, Count
Won Bernstorff.
Clear Foreign Policy.
The Vorwaerts, commenting on
the retirement of the chancellor,
says: I'VE must get away from the
have given Germany's foreign policy
the reputation Of dishonesty"
The newspaper demands that the
new chancellor declare plainly
whether his peace program is one Of
conquest or not. Il says there can be
no middle ground.
The Berliner Tageblatt and The
Frankfurter Zeitung share the
friendly appreciation of DR.. Won
Bethmann- Hollweg as expressed in
the official article concerning his
resignation printed in The North
German Gazette.
Other nswpapers, however, I'M
sparingly criticise the departing
chancellor as having been a weak,
though good intentioned Official.
The Hague, July 1.-THE Berlin
Reichsanzeiger, a copy of which has
been received here, publishes an au-
tographic letter from Emperor Will
liam to DR.. Won Bethmann- Hollweg
on the occasion of the acceptance of
the resignation of the imperial chan
cellor. The emperor says: Il decide
with a heavy heart to grant your re-
quest to be relieved from your office.
For eight years you have occupied
the highest and most responsible Of
fee in the imperial and state services
with eminent loyalty and have sue
placed your brilliant pow
ers and personality at the services of !
the kaiser and the empire and the |
king and the fatherIand, In the |
most grievous times that have ever |
fallen to the lot of the German coun- |
tries and peoples you have stood by |
my side with counsel and with aid. |
II is my hearts desire to express my |
most cordial thanks for your faithful
service"