The Washington times., 1917-03-30
LACK OF REFORMS
Anglers GERMANS
Discomfort Spreads Over Fall
ure to Hear of New
Electoral Laws.

AMSTERDAM, March 3o.-Although
dispatches from Germany indicated
appreciation for Hollweg's mo COM
promise" attitude on the submarine
warfare, expressed in his speech to
the Reichstag yesterday, there were
various reports here of widespread
discomfort over his failure to an
nounce promised electoral reforms.
Hollweg was quoted as declaring
the time was not yet ripe for such
reforms, in view of the fact that the
greater part OF Germany's voting pop
ulation was in the trenches.
Socialism Is gaining new adherents
in Germany, according to various re-
ports. The Russian revolution and
the apparent success OF the completely
democratic. government there have
created a profound impression among
the German public.
That the German leaders foresee a
menace to their power in such unrest
was indicated in reports OF various
efforts to placate by promises.
For the first time since the start of
the war a note Of doubt as to Germany's
future has crept into Reichstag speeches.
Member SPAIN Is quoted as declaring
in debate today, following Hollweg's
speech. that he hoped Germany was
prepared to fight a new and powerful
foe"
The Socialist member. Noske. bit
terly censured Foreign Secretary Zim-
rnermann's Mexican-Japanese scheme
against America. and declared the Prus-
sian system OF government must be
abolished.
Doesn't Desire War.
Germany never had the slightest
intention of attacking the United
States OF America, and does not have
such intention now. 1t never desired
war against the United States of
America, and does not desire 1t to-
day." was the declaration made by
the imperial chancellor. DR.. Won Beth
mann-Hollweg, in speech in the
Reichstag. today, when he made i'm
portant statements concerning GeEs
many's policy toward the United
States and Russia.
How did these things develop?"
the relations with the United States.
He then proceeded to answer the
question by reviewing the causes
which led up to the unrestricted use
of submarines by Germany as a mat
ter, he said. OF self-defehse. Then he
added:
"If the American nation considers
this a cause for which to declare war
against the German nation, with
which II has lived in peace for more
than 100 years: II this action warrants
an increase of bloodshed, we shall
not have to bear the burden OF re-
sponsibility for it."
In his speech the chancellor Is re-
ported by the Overseas News Agency
as saying:
within the next few days the di-
rectors of the American nation will be
convened by President Wilson for an
extraordinary session of Congress in
order to decide the question OF war
or peace between the American and
German nations.
Germany never had the slightest
intention of attacking the United
States OF America, and does not have
such intention now. 1t never desired
war against the United States Of
America and does not desire 1t to-
day.
Again ReeItes EnRland's Onenses.
How did these things develop?
More than once we told the United
States that we made unrestricted use
of the submarine weapon, expecting
that England coufd be made to OBJ
serve, in her policy OF blockade. the
laws OF humanity and international
agreements. This blockade policy
(this / expressly recalD has been
called illegal and indefensible (the
imperial chancellor here used the
English words) by President Wilson
and Secretary of State Lansing.
"Our expectations, which we main
tanned during eight months, have
been disappointed completely. Eng
land not only did not give up her