The Washington herald., 1917-03-30
mo INTENTION
OF j. s. war"
-HOLLWEG
German Chancellor Says Teu-
tons Oppose Hostilities with
American PEOPLE.

IBy the International News serviee.)
Unable to address the governments Of
the United States. China and Russia d.
rectly. because OF the diplomatic rupture
with two of these nations and open war
with the third the imperial German
chancellor, DR.. Won Bethmann- HolIweg
speaking in the Reichstag yesterday, ad-
dressed the peoples of these countries.
though ostensibly giving a review of the
foreign situation to the Reichstag.
Speaking to the American nation, he
said the German nation never did nor
does now desire to attack 1t or to have
war with 1t. II war comes he said. the
burden will lie upon the United States.
Indirectly addressing the people of Chi
na. he virtually excused them for break
ing with Germany. saying they had done
so under the pressure of Germany's enc
mics. When the war Is over, he said
Germany will regain the friendship of
China and rebuild our trade at the ex-
pense of our enemies"
To the people of Russia the chancellor
made thinly concealed bid for peace
saying Germany rejoiced with them over
the downfall of the Romanoff dynasty
and asserting it was farthest from Ger
manys mind to try to restore autocracy
IN Russia.
There was nothing conciliatory in his
remarks regarding America; nothing
which in any way could be interpreted as
the remotest "feeier" for modification
arbitration or mediation.
A notable feature Of his statement was
that he spoke Invariably Of the "Ameri-
van Government" or the Government
of the United States"
He asserted that Germany never did,
nor does now. desire war with America
and that she never had nor has now the
slightest intention to attack the United
States"
Forced on Germany.
He reiterated that unrestricted I'-boat
warfare was forced upon Germany by
the British blockade. He pointed out
Wilson and Secretary OF State Lansing
themselves had called the British block
ade illegal and indefensible." Germany.
he said, waited eight months for the
United States to make England observe
the laws Of humanity and International
agreements.
Then" he continued, I'VE took unre-
stricted submarine warfare into our own
bands. Then we had to do so for our own
defense"
With regard TO Russia, the chancellor
told the Reichstag that Germany does
not propose to lend her assistance to any
movement that might exist to bring Gar
dom back to power.
Nicholas Romanoft. he said. had
brought upon himself his own downfall
He might have averted it. said DIR. Won
Bethmann-Holl had he needed the
advice OF Emperor William. TO devote
himself to the internal reforms so eager
ly clamored for by the Russian people
Instead of taking this advice. the chan
Cellor said the former Gar insisted upon
his program of external expansion. The
speaker added that this Russian greed
for land was what caused the European
wa.
OmcIaI Statement.
The official Overseas News Agency in
an account of the chief points Of the
chancellors speech says:
The chancellor also referred TO Ger
many's attitude toward the recent events
in Russia. He recalled she former time
honored friendship between the two coun-
tries but stated that this friendship ended
with the death of Gar Alexander II.
Emperor Nicholas. the chancellor said,
drifted more and more into the entente's
wake and into the pan-Savist currents
and finally became a partisan OF the war
party which was omnipotent under the
Russin autocratic regime. The chancellor
said:
Thus. IN the fateful days Of July. 1914.
the Car declined TO listen to the appCa |
made by the German Emperor.
"One Of the legendary reports dissent
mated with special emphasis by our enemy
is that II was the German government
which assisted the autocratic and reac-
mCnts for liberty.
Already. one year ago. 1 declared here
in the Reichstag that this asseveration
; was directly contrary to the facts. When
Russia m 1905. through the japanese war
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