The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-02
Time RIPE FOR
RUTHLESSNESS,
SAYS H0LLWEC
FrOWned on 1t Before He Says,
Because Situation Wasn't
OppOrtune.

Berlin, Feb. 2-Germany ''stakes
everything on victory, Chancellor
Won Bethmann-H ol1weg declared in q
speech to the Budget Committee OF
the Reichstag, in which he went in
, detail into the reasons why the re-
sumption of ruthless submarine war
fare had hitherto been avoided, and
why it was now considered advisable.
'"To all neutral countries" he de-
clared, "a free path for mutual inter-
course is left outside the blockaded
area. To America we offer, as we
did in 1915, safe passenger traffic un-
der definite conditions, even with
Great Britain He read the note to
the United States, and said that cor
responding notes had been sent to
the other neutral states.
Austria Supports Move.
The Chancellor also stated that
Austria Hungary. (Which is also un-
der pledge to the United States to re-
spect the rules of cruiser warfare in
the use of submarines) is in entire
agreement with Germany as to the
course to be followed, and will take
charge Of the blockade Of Italy by
submarines.
1.-THE question of U-boat war;" the
Chancellor said, 'tas members Of the
Reichstag will remember, has occu-
pied us three times in this committee,
namely, in March, in May and Sep
TENDER of last year. On each occa-
sion, in an exhaustive statement, !
expounded the points for and against
in this question.
IT emphasized on each occasion that
i was speaking pro tempore and not
as a supporter in principle or oppo-
nent in principle Of the unrestricte ed
enjoyment of U boats. but in con-
sideration of the military, political
and economic situation as a whole.
ST have always proceeded from the
standpoint whether U boat war would
bring us nearer victorious peace or
not. Every means, I said in March,
that was calculated to shorten the
war constituted the most humane pol
icy to follow. When the most ruthless
methods are considered best calcu-
lated to lead us to victory and swift
victory I said, they must be en-
ployed-'
Explains His Opposition.
The Chancellor explained why in
March and May of last year he had
opposed unrestricted submarine war,
and why again in September, accord
ing to the unanimous judgment of the
political and military authorities, the
question was not considered ripe for
decision" In this connection the
Chancellor repeated his previous ut
terance that as soon as he, in agree
n
mand, reached the conviction that
ruthless submarine war would bring
Germany nearer victorious peace,
then the U-boat war would De
started. 49,.
This moment has now arrived" he
continued Last autumn the time
was not, yet ripe, but today the mo-
ment has come when, with the great
est prospect of success, we can un-
dertake the enterprise. We must
therefore not wait any longer. By
this development Of the situation the
decision concerning submarine war
fare has been forced into the last
acute stage"
Where has there been any change
in the situation?" the Chancellor ask
ed 'tIn the first place, the most
number of our submarines has been
very considerably increased as COM
pared with last spring, and thereby
firm basis for success has been es-
tablished. The second co-decislve
reason is the bad cereal harvest of
the world This fact already con-
fronts England, France and Italy with
serious difficulties which by means Of
unrestricted U-boat war will be
brought to point of unbearableness.
The coal question, too, is vital ques-
ton in war;"