New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-02
Hindenburg Demanded a
Ruthless War, Chancel-
Tor Tells ReichStag
READY TO ACCEPT
ALL CONSEQUENCES
Realizes Effect on u. S.,
but Calls Time Ripe to
Strike Foes

Berlin, Feb. 1.-Ruthless submarine
warfare was demanded by Field Mar
shall Won Hindenburg, according to a
statement made to-day BY Chancellor
Won Hollweg before the
Reichstag Ways and Means Committee.
Eve have been challenged to fight to
the end" said the Chancellor. I'VE
accept the challenge; We stake every
thing and we shall be victorious.
"A few days ago Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg described the situation to
me thus: Our front stands firm on all
sides. We have everywhere the requi-
site reserves. The spirit of our troops
is good and confident. The military sit
uoton as whole permits us to accept
all the consequences which unrestricted
U-boat war may bring, and as this
U-boat war is the means of injuring
our enemies the most grievously it
must be begun.
Time Ripe for Action
Every means, I said in March, that
was calculated TO shorten the war con-
stituted the most humane policy 10 fol-
low. When the most ruthless methods
arc considered best calculated to lead
us to victory-and swift victory said
then they must be employed
This moment has now arrived. Last
autumn the time was not yet ripe, ac-
coIding 10 the unanimous judgment of
military and political authorities, but
to-day the moment has come when, with
the greatest prospect of success, We can
undertake the enterprise. We must,
therefore, not wait any longer"
Navy Confident Of Results
THE Admiralty staff and the high
seas feet entertain the firm conviction
"a conviction which has practical sup
port in the experience gained in U-boat
cruiser warfare that Great Britain
will be brought to peace by arms.
"Our allies agree with our views.
Austria Hungary adheres to our pro-
cedure also in practice. Just as we
lay blockade area around Great Brit
ain and the west coast OF France, in
which we will try to prevent all ship
ping traffic 10 the enemy countries,
Austria Hungary declares a blockadcd
area around Italy.
"To all neutral countries free path
for mutual intercourse is left outside
the blockaded area. To America we
offer, as we did in 1915. safe passenger
traffic under definite conditions even
with Great Britain
Realize Seriousness Of Step
The Chancellor here read the note
to the United States and said that
corresponding notes had been sent to
the other neutral states. He concluded
as follows:
mo one among US will close his eyes
TO the seriousness OF the step We are
taking. That our existence is at stake
every one knows since August 4, 1914,
and this has been brutality emphasized
by the rejection Of our peace offer.
when, in 1914, We had to seize and
have recourse TO the sword against
Russias general mobilization we did
80 with the deepest sense OF response
bility toward our people and conscious
of resolutc strength, which says: We
must and therefore we can Endless
streams of blood have since been shed,
but they have not washed away the
must and the can
All Measures Taken
"In now deciding to employ our best
and sharpest weapon We are guided
solely by sober consideration OF all the
circumstances that come into the Dues.
ton and by the firm determination to
help our people out Of the distress and
disgrace which our enemies contem-
plate for them.
Success lies in Higher Hand, but
as regards all that human strength
can do to enforce success for the
Fatherland, be assured, gentlemen, that
nothing has been neglected. Every
thing in this respect will be done
The Chancellor's announcement 70
the Reichstag committee has been the
subject of discussion at Great Head
quarters during the last week by the
Emperor, the Chancellor. the Foreign
Secretary, the military authorities and
the Austro-Hungarian Premier, Count
Czernin.
Although a decision is supposed to
have been reached last week, Foreign
Secretary Zimmerman again travelled
to Great Headquarters on Monday. On
his return on Tuesday he received the
American Ambassador. James W. Ge-
rGrd, and held a lengthy discussion
with him.
Foes Economic Situation Bad
A notable feature of the Chancellor's
WILL Of