Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-09
.PESS|M|ST|C OVER
PEACE PROSPECTS
Lokalanzeiger Once More At
tacks Former Chancellor
Bethmann-Hollweg.
WAR Is FOUGHT IN VAIN
Even if Germany Remains Vic
tor, Empire Is Bound
Hand and Foot.
WAR is FOUGHT IN VAIN

BERLIN. September S.-The Lokal-
the peace prospects. once more attacks
the former imperial Chancellor. DR..
Won BethmannIIollweG. who has be-
como forgotten since he had to leave
the political stage several weeks ago.
Making the cx-ChanccIlor the scape-
goat for all mistakes and misfortuncs
of Germany. the Pan-Gcrman organ
accuses him of having nearly destroyed
the chances of German victory or
peace by a favorable compromise.
DIFFICULTIES OF MICHAELis
ALMOST INSURMOUNTAB BILE
The almost insurmountable Difficult
ties which confront DIR. Michaciis arc
tho result OF the countless blunders
committed by his predecessor" the
paper says. From the first day of
the war to the time Of his dismissal.
|Bcthmann- IIollweg has displayed an
incredible lack Of craftsmanship and
diplomacy. Many OF his acts were
Lore than stupid. and IL he had been
permitted to remain at the helm few
months longer, disaster would have
been inevitable. Some OF the harm
caused by him may still be undone.
but 1t is much TO be feared that his
dismissal came too late. and that the
empire will have to pay dearly for his
mistakes.
"Bethmann- Hollweg should have
been removed during the first week of
the war" the Lokalanzeiser con-
tinues. He proved his unhtncss when
he took the initiative in the declara-
ton OF war. instead Of forcing France
and Russia to assume the responsibility
for this step. His faith III the peace
full intentions OF England was as
foolish as his frank confession that
the invasion of Belgium was breach
of international law. When Prince
Buclow told him that Italy would
Eventually enter the war on the side
OF the entente. he scoffcd at this warn
ing. and he still trusted Roumania
when all tho world knew that the gov
eminent in Bucharest had broken its
alliance with the central powers and
was only waiting for :, favorable mo-
mcnt to Join the allies.
THE ex-Chanceilo- did not want war
with the United States any more than
with England. Italy and Roumania. but
he brought II by his foolish actions
|
made by DR.. zimmerman To Mexico
and Japan. he furnished President VIII
son cause to bring America. with its
enormous resources. into TIL. struggle.
The results OF this b!under are al
ready gigantic.
PEACE MADE IMPOSSIBLE
By BETHM.iNN-liOLLW
when the ex-CZar and the former
Russian Premier Slucrmer were ready
for separate peace which would have
ended the war quickly. Bethmann-
HollwcE proclaimed the resurrection OF
the Kingdom OF Poland. This stem
was. OF course. resented by Russia
and made peace Impossible. The next
chance for understa ndirg with
Russia was likewise destroyed by the
chancellor. Instead OF making direct
and definite offers TO the provisional
government in PetroGrad after the
revolution. he tried TO work through
1.-The Socialists. The mission OF
Scheidemann and his associates 10
stockholm was a dismal failure. as
every man OF ordinary intelligence
could have foreseen. Instead of get
ting Russia out of the war. as he could
have done. he strengthened the Rus
sian war party and helped England
France and the United States.
THE greatest blunder OF the eS-
chancellor was that he encouraged the
!Socialistic agitation for a peace with
out annexations and mdcmnities, and
made possible the passing of the dis
|astrous Reichstag resolution by which
tho empire has been bound hand and
foot. All victories won by our armies
In the field have practically been
nullified by this piece OF stupidity. AS
things stand now, we will not he able
- to repudiate the solemn declaration of
the Reichstag. This means that the
war will be fought in vain, even IL
We remain the victors"