The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-02-13
CAME AS
TO
GERMANS
BY CARL w. ACKERMAN
UNITED Press Staff COrre-
spOndent)

bN VAIL w. ACkEhMAN
UNITED Press Staff COrre-
spOndentD
WITH I'M Ii A s s ADOR
GERARD'S PARTY, Berne,
Switzerland, Feb. 13.-Ber-
lin was astonished, officials
and the public alike, when
President Wilson broke rela-
lions with Germany.
The establishment came because
officials had recently been assured
by German-Americans in the L.
S. that Wilson would not sever
relations, for fear of a German
American uprising.
The same belief was held by
the German public.
When the American embassy
train left Berlin, the imperial
chancellor, Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg, was admittedly downcast over
the situation, and believed Amer
lea wanted war with Germany.
1t was noticeable also when
Foreign Secretary Zimmerman re-
ceived the American correspond
| ents shortly before their depart
ure, he was plainly nervous.
Story Can BE Told
He likewise insisted Wilson
wants war;" and denied that Ger
many made any irrevocable prom
Use in the Sussex affair.
Writing now from neutral
Swiss soil, it is possible for the
first time to tell the developments
which led Germany to her decision
of relentless sea war.
Determination to use the sub
marine in unlimited warfare dates
back to November. 1t was then
that Germany's internal affairs
were at the greatest crisis of the
war.
The socialists warned the kaiser
that unless he moved Immediately
for peace, DR.. Philip Schiedemann
Socialist leader in the reichstag)
and other socialist leaders, would
head a militant movement to
bring about peace.
Convert Zimmerman
Il
the German people were destitute
and respondent.
simultaneously the powerful
landowners, controlling the food
supply and the equally powerful
group of industrial leaders, con-
TROLLING the munition manufac-
lures, told the government the
only way to end the war was by
unlimited submarine warfare.
These interests have always been
anti-American.
They succeeded In convincing
Quartermaster General Won Luz
dendorff.
Meanwhile the National Liber-
ais, who would welcome war with
America, won over Foreign Secre-
tary Zimmerman to the submarine
lpolicy.
Finally, the kaiser's birthday
conference at German Great Head
quarters, Jan. 81, did not include
in its conferees such officials as
Minister of the Interior Won Helf-
ferich, Minister of Colonies Solf,
and the imperial treasurer, Count
Won Roedern, known to be oppos-
ed to melting American interven-
ton.
Win Over Groups.
The speech made by Imperial
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg in the reichstag early in De-
cember, where he announced
peace Overtures, won over the
socialists to the support of any
course the chancellor might advo-
cate.
in the same way, the kaiser's
submarine blockade won over the
food producers and the group of
Industrial leaders to a continu-
ance of hostilities.
The government peace pro-
posal, as we'll as to President
They believe firmly they must
fight on in their own defense.
Everybody in Germany is work
ing day and night.
The answer which the entente
powers returned to the peace pro-
posal, as well as to Resident
Wilson's suggestions, so fright
ened Turkey that the Ottoman
empire will continue in the war
| lust SO long as Germany defends