New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-02-06
AMERICA FAILS TO
GRASP SITUATION
Berlin Press Believes We Do Not
Understand Motives

Berlin, via London, Feb. 6.-The
general opinion expressed by the Ber-
lin papers on the German-Am erican
situation Is that President Wilson has
failed to grasp the real significance of
affairs in Europe and has misinter-
preted Germany's position and inten-
tons. The Lokal Anzeiger says:
president Wilson has failed to
judge the situation from the lofty
heights Of partisanship and Is
willing to cooperate in preventing
further misery and sacrifices. He has
shut his eyes to all the motives which,
after mature elaboration, caused Ger
many to employ the most effective
weapon in her power against the most
inhumane of her enemies"
eft is scarcely believab1e that
President Wilson does not believe in
the seriousness of our decision" the
Lokal Anzeiger continues. eff he
really expects that we will draw back,
if he believes that the breach of diplo-
matte relations will cause us to change
our mind, he embraces an error which
may have the most dangerous conse-
quences."
The paper concludes with a refer
ence to the presidents message to the
senate, in which it says 1t is unwilling
to believe that President Wilson wants
pllcitly waged for the destruction of
the German people,
No surprise at the turn of events
is expressed by the Tageblatt, in
which Theodore Wolff writes. Refer
ring to President: Wilson's expression
Of hope that other neutrals will fol-
low the lead Of the United States,
Herr Wolff remarks:
European neutrals probably do not
view things in quite the same light
as the president of the United States
They are not separated by the ocean
from the arena of war and they have
had the miseries Of war before their
doors for thirty-one months. They
also know better how Germany Is in
spired with power and tenacity of
WILL
president Wilson," writes George
Bernard in the Vossische Zeitung, 'is
unwilling to believe that Germany will
do what she says"
Herr Bernard adds that Germany's
submarine policy as announced a
year ago, was based on President Will
sons note of Jan. 10 regarding armed
m merchantmen. He charges that Presi-
dent Wilson changed in February the
principal announced in January.
The KreuZzeitung repudiates the
idea that the submarine campaign is
dictated by any hostility to Amer
leans and says that Germany lis only
fighting to protect women and chill
dren, the sick and the weak from a
lingering death decreed for them by
merciless enemy
The same paper is satisfied that
European neutrals will not follow the
example of America. They will say, -
it comments, that they will have to
bear the burdens Of carrying on the
war in quite another sense than Amer
lea. They will also ask themselves
the question whether it lies in their
| interest to help to strengthen the
world and domination of England
whose hand they have had to feel
often enough in these thirty -one
months"
Count Won Reventlow.
Count Won Reventlow, in the Tages
Zeitung, hesitates to accept the tele-
graphed version of President Wilson s
words. at would be unusual al
least sad this writer. for the presi-
dent to express himself in such a
threatening tone, implying that he be-
lieves that he can cause the German
empire to yield by a threat as it did
| last year." Count Won Reventlow aft
| er asserting that Germany is fighting
for its right and Is compelled to use
| all means at its command, adds:
eff the United States cannot and
will not recognize this natural right
and its application, we regret it. But
we Germans are unable, unwilling tC
| announce natural right and one
| which from no standpoint is indie.
fensible.''
Count Won Reventlow concludes
| that, all in all, the breach in diplo.
matte relations was not expected BY
| the German people, destroys none Of
| their hopes and interferes with none
| Of their calculations ION the con.
trary,' he says, ut clears the air ano
| puts 1rmness and irreconcilableness
In Germany's decision in a manner
| which we hail with serious satisfac-
| ton"