Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-02
TEUTONS PREPARED
FOR WAR WITH U. S.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MADE READY
FOR CONSEQUENCES OF SUB
MARINE WARFARE.

Berlin Feb q, via London, Feb. rs.
The prominence which Chancellor
Won Bethmann-Hollweg gave in his ad-
dress to the reichstag today to discus
sion of relations with the United
States is regarded here as indicating
his purpose to prepare the German
public for the eventuality which is
looked forward to in many quarters.
There was much confusion of opinions
and prophecies on this point today on
account of the continued absence OF
authenticated news from Washington
as well as the reports which are being
received in regard to the state of pub
lie opinion in America. The German
press continues to serve up fragmen-
tary but sensational bulletins indicat-
ing feverish war preparations in the
| United States.
At this hour it may be said that a
declaration of war from Washington
would>find the German mind quite pre-
pared for it, Less of ripple would
be caused here than was occasioned
by Rumana's entrance into the war,
and final break with the United
States would be likely to meet with
stoical Indifference so far as the pub
lie at large Is concerned There is no
feeling that a crisis is at hand, but
merely an ominous tension which has
been gathering intensity. The nation
is now pinning its faith to it's U-boats
Philip Scheidemann, the socialist
leader, speaking in the reichstag to-
day. said:
Our enemies are waging a war OF
conquest. We are waging war OF de-
tense. Our enemies detained in our
invitation to peace conference more
brutally and provokingly and with a
madden peace program than anyone
could have expected. Thus our enc
mics took upon themselves the guilt
for blood which can never be wipet
out. Germany is unanimous that all
our power must be strained to frus-
trate the plans of the enemy. The first
sequel has been a rupture with Amer
lea. We regret this most deeply but
trust that our national strength armed
to the teeth will render possible what
our enemies consider impossible. Our
honor and existence and the freedom
of development Of our empire must
emerge from the war unchanged
Count Won WesldrD. lHe cOHSeINd'
tive leader outlined his party's ideas
of peace terms. saying:
New sacrifices require new de-
mands, new compensations. Sufficient
war indemnity must be collected to
arm us against dangers of the future
and to provide for RESUMPTION of econ
omic competition. We must retain ter.
ritory Of economic value, CONQUERED
with our blood. Courland and Livonia
Russia offer ground for colonial
ton. and German population there
will protect our interests on the Bal-
tic At Brey and I,ongwy northern
France we can find useful coal and
iron. The harbor at Antwerp we can
not do without and with this in our
hands the individuality of the Flemish
population can also he protected.
The military safety of our frontiers
must he attained even if military and
economic objections thereto exist. As
in the east our flank must be protect
ed The high defensive and offensive
value of the Flemish coast is obvious
in Strengthening our position against
England. Germany must be inVinci..
biP -