The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-06
KAISER SHOWS
HE FEARS U. S.
MIGHT In WAR
New Peril to Germany's
Cause Discussed in Secret
Conference.
NAY CHANGE STRATEGY
TeutOn Officialdom Stag
gered by Scope Of Amer
lean Preparations.
HOPE PINNED ON U-BOATS
Supreme Effort on Large Scale
Urged to Smash Through
Entente Lines.
HOPE PINNED ON U-BOATs

WASHINGTON, July 5.--Ofiicial advices
received In diplomatic circles here to-
day say the German Emperor il 30
deeply concerned over the magnitude OF
Americas war preparations that he re-
Gently summoned Won Hindenburg,
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollwes and
others to n secret conference to discuss
the peril Of Germany's cause which re-
suited from Americas action. Interest
ing accounts OF the effect this confer
ence has had on German officials are in
cluded in the diplomatic despatch, which
contains information gathered from Ger.
man officials in Berne.
II appears the Kaiser Nis now BEGIN
ming to appreciate the full weight of
what participation Of the United States
may mean. German oflcialdom is
frankly staggered by the scope Of this
nations war programme. The placing
Of the entire nation on a war footing,
the despatch OF military ana naval
forces to Europe and the determination
Of America to devote her entire re-
sources to the prosecution of the war
nave opened the eyes OF the German
officials.
As a result the whole German war
programme may be radically changed.
according to the advices received to-
day. Instead OF following the policy OF
attempting to present an iron front to
her enemies Germany may now seek 10
make last superlative military effort
on the French or Russian front. This
would be Eva banoue" policy. but
German officials are understood to real
ize that a long drawn out war ID bound
to defeat the Central Powers. There
still remains. the hope In Germany that
the U-boats may win the war by starvA
ing the Entente into submission, but this
hope is not 30 strong now as It was ELK
weeks ago.
Faith stin in U-Bonts.
It would however. be a grave mistake
TO imagine that Germany has given up
hope OF succeeding In her submarine
campaign. In response to inquiry In the
Rechstag the German Admiralty has
replied that there is no reason to be-
lieve the U-beat campaign will not be
successful" Germany Ia said to be
building new submarines at a record
breaking rate Of speed and the AdmI-
ralty asserts this new construction will
easily make good such losses as the sub
marines are suffering.
II Is also stated that the new German
type than any now in operation. They
are referred to in Berlin as submarine
dreadhoughts and are said 10 be more
than 400 feet long and armed with Ave
and six inch guns.
Because OF the lasting faith in the u
boats, there Is a division Of opinion In
German military and naval circles as to
whether the German army should con-
tinue Its present policy Of holding fast
or whether an attempt should be made
to smash Its way through the Entente
lines.
Won HindenburE is said to favor a
policy Of continuing the present plan Of
holding his ground. He II said 10 believe
that the Entente can make no apprecia-
Bile impression on the German lines in
France In one or five or ten years. and
that the Germans therefore should main
tain. so far as possible. their ring OF steel
IN Its present position. Opposed to this
view are the opinions Of the younger eie-
ments In the army. who see the German
people beginning to chafe over increas-
ing hardships and believe that German
offensive should be initiated on a large
scale
Great OHensive Likely.
This opinion reflects the confidence
which is widespread in German army
circles that the German General Stan
completely outmatches the Entente
General Staffs in man1uvring on a large
scale, and that It IL still possible to gain
decision on the battlehelds which
might precipItate the end OF the war.
The entry Of the United States into
the conflict has strengthened the hands
OF those who favor the more risky IVA
oanque" policy OF attempting to smash
through. The argument they advance
IS that a decision must be had before
America comes into Its own In war
strength.
Won Bethmann- -Hollwek, according to
the diplomatic advices received to-day,
tavors the so-oalled supreme offensive
enort Should this fail, he feels the
Serman Government can still bring the
Entente TO discussion OF peace terms by
umely concessions or by stating the
minimum terms which Berlin would ac-
cept
The opinion In Berne II. therefore,
mat smashing German offensive effort
on the cards and is to be followed by
another German peace feeler. For some
reason which officlAls here are unable to
splsin Won Bethmann-Hollweg still
seems to labor under the deiusion that
ne can bring about truce at any time,
provided he is willing 10 make certain
CONCESSIONS OF minor value and state the
Irreduclble minimum which Germany
would accept for Its victorious part In
the war"