Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-14
Germans Deny Emperor
Sent Message to Wilson

Berlin, Aug. 14.-Via Amster-
dam. - The semiofficial Nord-
deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung denies
the existence of the telegram alleged
by James w. Gerard, the former Am
erican ambassador at Berlin to have
been sent by Emperor William to
President Wilson in August 1914
when the German emperor is quoted
as having asserted that Belgium's S
neutrality had to be violated by Ger
many on strategical grounds. The
alieged telegram which has reached
Berlin by way of Switzerland has the
emperor saying that King George
sent him word through the en-
peror's brother, Prince Henry, that
Great Britain would remain neutral
II war broke out on the continent
involving Germany and France and
Austria and Russia. The Nord-
deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung says:
I'VE are in a position to declare
that no such telegram from the en-
peror exists. 1t is true Mr.. Gerard
was given an audience August 10,
1914, in order to give him an op-
portunity of placing President Will
sons offer of mediation before the
emperor.
Quotes Wilson's Message
THE Presidents personal message
TO the emperor read as from the Off
cial head of one of the powers which
signed the Hague convention and
said
g I feel it to be my right and my
duty in accordance with Article III
of the convention to declare to you
q Cnirif n fri dol hi 1o 7
would welcome any opportunity to
act in the interests of European
peace whether now or at cny other
time that might be better fitted, to
render you and all concerned serv-
ices which would give me satisfac-
tion and joy
This proposal was made at the
time when the armies of both sides
had already crossed the frontier and
when 1T seemed out of the question
to call a hal to events. The en-
peror could, therefore, only have his
thanks conveyed to President Will
son for his offer and thereby re-
mark that while the present moment
was too early for mediation by the
neutral powers. the Presidents
friendly proposal might later be re-
turned to.
some time further with Mr.. Gerard
and explained to him the events
that led up to the outbreak of war.
The emperor particularly pointed
out the ambiguous and disloyal at
titude of Great Britain which had
destroyed all hope of a peaceful
agreement.
Mr.. Gerard's statements in his
memoirs appear to be a reproduc-
ton of this conversation. If the
press in enemy countries sees reve-
lations in them, that only shows
they are ignorant of the German
white book, which in essence sets
forth the same events.
May Have Written Memorandum
Possibly during the conversa-
ton the emperor wrote q memoir
andum for the ambassador. so that
he might not announce anything to
that would be incor-
rect. In that case it would be
matter of record destined to assist
Mr.. Gerard's memory, but it would
not be a communication from the
emperor to President Wilson"
The Cologne Gazette says thera is
no apparent reason to doubt the
genuineness of the emperor's tele-
gram as published by Mr.. Gerard
The newspapers say it cannot see
how its contents can serve as fresh
proof of Germany's guilt, as it only
gives evidence of the cunning and
policy followed by Great
Britain in the days prior to the out
break of the war.
The Naueste Nachrichten, of Mu--
mich, Bavaria, says it does not
matter whether the omperor's mes
sage to Wilson is authentic, as it
only proves the emperor's love of
peace. But quite another thing, the
newspaper says, is the use of the
entente press and telegraphic agen-
cies are making of Mr.. Gerard's
book. "as it is a great effort made
again to represent Germany as be-
ing responsible for the war"
The Local Anzeiger. commenting
on the publication of the alleged
telegram, says
"Mr. Gerard's comments on this
alleged telegram of the emperor at
tempt to prove that no greater mis-
fortune could have happened to the
world, including the new world,
than England's participation in
the war. It is futile to argue against
such stupidity. The imperial docu-
ment which Mr.. Gerard publishes
proves conclusively what influences
worked with might and main in
July, 1914, to prevent war"