Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-14
NO SUCH MESSAGE
SENT BY KAISER.
PAPER ASSERTS
Semiofficial Publication De-
MES Existence of Quoted
Telegram to Wilson.
FIRST GIVEN TO WORLD
IN GERARD'S MEMOIRS
State Department Officially
Makes Public Text as Re-
ceivcd From Berlin.
UsTAINs EX-AMBAssADOR
German Emperor Quoted as Assert
Ing That Belgium Is Violated on
Strategical Grounds.
FIRST GIVEN TO WORLD
IN GERARD'S MEMOIRS
sUsTAINs Ex-AMBAssADoR
German Emperor Quoted as Assert
ing That Belgium Is Violated on
Strategical Grounds.


BERLIN. August 13 tvia Amster-
dam).-The semioricial .Norddeutsche
..llgemeine zeitung denies the exist
e7ce Of the telegram alleged by James
". Gerard. former American ambassa-
dor at Berlin. to have been sent by
Emperor William to President Wilson
In August. 1914. when the German En-
peror is quoted having asserted that
lated by Germany on sjrategical
grounds" The alleged telegram. which
has reached Berlin by way Of Switzer-
land. has the Emperor saying that King
George sent him word through the En-
peror's brother. Prince Henry. that
Great Britain would remain neutral IL
war broke out on the Continent. in
volving Germany and France and Aus
tria and Russia The Norddeutsche
Aiigemeine Zcitung says:
we are in position to declare that
no such telegram from the Emperor
exists. 1t Is true that Mr.. Gerard was
given an audience on August 10. 1914,
in order to give him an opportunity Of
placing President Wilson'S offer of
mediation before tho Emperor.
WILSON'S Personal
MESSAGE TO EMPEROR
The Presidents personal message to
the Emperor read as from the official
head OF one of the powers which signed
The Hague convention. and said: I feel
it to be my right and my duty. in ac-
cordance with Article III. of the con-
vention. to declare to you in a spirit
OF truest friendship that 1 would well
come any opportunity TO act in the in
terests Of European peace. whether
now or at any other time that might
be better fitted. to render you and all
concerned services which would give
me satisfaction and JOY
This proposal was made at the time
when the armies OF both sides had al
ready crossed the frontier. and when i,
seemed out OF the question TO call a
halt to events. The Emperor could
therefore, only have his thanks con-
veyed to President Wilson for his offer
and thereby remark that, while the
present moment was too early for me-
diation by the neutral powers. the
Presidents friendly proposal might
later be returned to.
The Emperor then conversed for
some time further with Mr.. Gerard. and
explained to him the events that led
up to the outbreak OF war. The En-
peror particularly pointed out the am
b!guous and disloyal attitude of Great
Britain. which had destroyed all hope
OF peaceful agreement.
Mr.. Gerard's statements in his
memoirs appear to be n reproduction OF
this conversation. If the press In
enemy countries sees revelations In
hem. that only shows they are ignoran
OF the German white book. which in
essence set forth the same events
Possibly during the conversation the
Emperor wrote a memorandum for the
ambassador. SO that he might not an
nounce anything to Washington tina,
would be incorrect. In that care, 4,
would be matter OF record destined
to assist Mr.. Gcrard's memory. but 1,
would not be a communication from
the Emperor to President WILSON,"
The Cologne Gazette says there is nc
apparent reason to doubt the genuine.
HcSS u iio iShipcloI ttlSSTdHl as DuD-
lished by Mr.. Gerard. The newspaper
can serve as fresh proof of Germany
guilt. as 1t only gives new evidence
Of the cunning and ambiguous policy
followed by Great Britain in the days
prior to the outbreak of the war.
PLAN TO EXPLOIT
STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE
The newspaper further sees in the
Gerard revelations another move in a
plan to exploit the Stockholm confer
ence in favor OF the enten:o by put.
ting the question of responsit ility fol-
he outbreak Of the war, and then press
ing the Socialists into the position OF
being accused parties.
The Neueste Nachrichten, Of Muaich
;:,varia, says it does not matter
-aether the Emperor's message tc
President Wilson Is authentic. as it onl,
proves the Emperor's love Of peace
But quite another thing. the newspaper
says. is the use the entente press and
Gerard's book, "as It Is a great effort
made again to represent Germany as
being responsible for the war"
The Lokal Anzeiger. commenting or
the publication of the alleged telegram
says:
Mr.. Gerard's comment on this al.
legged telegram of tho Emperor is ar
attempt to prove that no greater mis-.
fortune could have happened to the
world. including the New World. thar
England's nonparticipation in the war
1t Is futile to argue against such
stupidity. The very imperial document
which Mr.. Gerard publishes proves con-
clusively what influence worked with
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