The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-09-01
Deposed German Imperial
Chancellor Discusses
ssWar Revelations"
FORMER AMBASSADOR
FREELY CRITICISED
Declares Versisn on Conver.
sation Regarding Peace
Is Wholly Wrong.
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
Berlin. Aug. 30,-Via London, Aug.
3l.-Dr Won Bethmann- II ollweg, the
former imperial chancellor, today as
serted 1t was his impression that
James w. Gerard. former ambassador
to Germany. in writing his revelations
OF Germany's war aims. gave a some
what free rein to his Imagination. The
statement Of the former chancellor
was the result Of his reading in Lon
don newspaper. Mr. Gerard's version
OF conversation with him last Janu-
ary. in which it was alleged that Ger
many's peace terms were set forth.
I'm his published report Of this par
tictlar conversation" said DR.. Won
asethmann- -Hoflweg to the Associated
Press today, Mr.. Gerard attributed
ntterances to me which may have been
made In other quarters In Germany
and to which he frequently referred in
the progress OF our conversation, but
which were not my own. This ap-
plies especially to his reference. to
Germany's alleged intentions to seize
I4iege and Namur and of Germany's
plans to take possession of the Bel
s.aa ports ana railways aand 10 cs-
tablish military and commercial do
minion over that country.
Denies Absolutely.
Il never unfolded such German war
aims to Mr.. Gerard. In the course OF
my several conversations with him, as
also In our discussion last January, I
invariably referred to my reichstag
speeches. in which 1 stated that Ger
many would exact positive guarantees
that Belgian territory and politics
would not in the future be exploited
rs menacing factor against us. /
did not make any statement as to the
nature of these guarantees.
In the progress of our conversation
Mr.. Gerard suggested that the realiza-
tion OF far-reaching aspirations in Bel
gium would give King Albert merely a
sham authority and asked whether 1t
would not be better for Germany to
forego such plans and instead of them
endeavor to acquire Liegc, which Mr..
Gerard thought possible of achieve
ment.
II Bait, II Failed.
Perhaps this suggestion was a bait
intended to provike reply from me.
II so. the attempt failed. In all my
discussions with the ambassador on
this subject, l referred to my public
Nttcrances in which / emphasized
that I was endeavoring to procure a
peace that would permit us to live in
cordial and neighborly relations with
Belgium"
The former chancellor then OBJ
served:
when diplomats undertake to ex-
plot their official career for Journal
istic purposes, they are apt to be mis-
led into putting into the mouths of
foreign statesmen utterances which
either are the creation Of an ample
imagination or are based on faulty
memory. Discussion OF political opin-
ions Is bound to be transitory and
fleeting."
The former chancellor then touched
upon what he regarded as the ethics
OF Mr.. Gerald's disclosures as com.
pared with the European idea.
ssrnstorff Might Surprise.
you Americans are an impetuous
people" he said. "You do not seem
to permit even your retired diplomats
TO observe the traditional silence, nor
have you the patience to abide the post
mortem publication of their memoirs
Count Won Bernstorf. former German
ambassador to the United States, /
imagine might startle us with the
diary of his Washington experiences.
Yin Europe, 1t would seem that pub
lication OF such matters. by common
consent, Is postponed to later periods,
when judgments are both calmer and
more mature. Mr.. Gerard. however.
may hold the special license conferred
by shirt sleeve diplomacy. as You cali
It. ana l shall not dispute his preroga-
tives. But he must not give his
imagination too free rein"
Talks Potatoes. Not peIi.ies. Y
Away from the turbulent political
arena. the former chancellor is now
enjoying harvesting time on his tate
at Hohenfing. BrandepburG. two Aurs
by rail- from Berlin. During his Con
versatlon with the correspondent. he
begged off from talking politics. hu:
assured the correspondent that the pA-
tato crop at Hohenfing was most exx
celleut.