El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-03-01
CHANCELL0R'S
LIES AROUSE
RESENTMENT
AT CAPITAL
Astonishing
Statements Are Sheer
Absurdities
TALL TALK
IN REICHSTAC

IN REICHSTAC
(By Leased Wire to New Mexican)
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 3D.
President Wilson told peace advocates
who called on him today to protest
against the steps he proposes in deal
ing with Germany that the country
was faced by at unprecedented situa-
ton; that he had always been for
peace and would do everything within
his power to maintain It.
Washington, Feb. 2S.-Surprise Dor
dering on indignation was voiced to-
day over Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Holwegg's speech to the Reichstag.
State department officials are amazed
that the chancellor should seek fur
Their to confuse German-American re-
lations with a series of statements
which they say are palpably opposed
to the most obvious events of recent
history. The c~hancellor's statement
that the United States served rela-
tions ~"brusquely" is viewed as too
absurd for discussion. 1t is pointed
out that the American correspond
ence had plainly threatened such ac-
ton; that Count Bernstorff had said
for several days beforehand that he
expected to be dismissed and that the
German government had shown its
realization of the coming break by
sending out orders to disable its mer-
chant ships in this country.
1t also was pointed out that while
the United States delayed three days
in taking the action it had clearly
fureshadowed in several notes. Ger
many put into effect its campaign OF
ruthlessness on eight hours notice
after months of assurances thta she
had no intention of taking such a
step,
The statement that Germany in her
Sussex note reserved a new course OF
action is declared wholly unjustified.
The United States specifically refus-
ed to accept that condition and in de-
fault of any reply from Germany was
justified in believing that Germany
adhered to her point of view.
In diplomacy the last note between
two nations is the binding note and
stands in all particulars until denied
by n or the other.
The c~hancellor's complaint that he
received only a Reuter- dispatch and
a verbal statement to the foreign min
lister as to the causes of the break, re-
calls that a note setting out the rea-
sons for the action of the United
States was handed to Count Won
Bernstorff with his passports.
The statement condemning Presi-
dent Wilson for announcing an en-
barge on arms to Mexico and not to
Europe was dismissed as absurd and
incorrect. The cases are held to be
in no way parallel as Mexico was in
civil war.
War of defense"
Philip Scheidemann, the Socialist
leader, said:
Our enemies are waging a war of
conquest. We are waging a war of
defense. Our enemies declined our in
vitation to a peace conference, more
brutally and provokingly and with a
madden peace program than anyone
could have expected. Thus our enc
mics took upon themselves the guilt
for. blood which can never be wiped
out. Germany is unanimous that all
our power must be strained to frus-
the plans of the enemy.
'The rupture with America we re-
greet, but trust that our national
strength, armed to the teeth, will rem
der possible what Jul enemies con-
slider impossible. Our honor and ex-
istence and the freedom of develop
ment Of our empire must emerge from
the war unchanged
Herr Scheidemann urged the chan
cellor to take measures against per-
making profit out of the val and
the resignation of the min
lister of agriculture which. he said,
would create joy among the German
Count Won Westarp, the conserva-
tive leader, outlined his party's ideas
Of peace terms, saying:
To Colonlze ireland
New sacrifices require new demands,
compensations. Sufficient war in
demnity must be collected to arm us
dangers Of the future and to
provide for resumption of economic
competition. We must retain terri
tory of economic value conquered with
out blood. Ireland and Livonia rus
sia) offer ground for colonization and
a German population there will protect
our interests on the Baltic. At Briecy
and Longwy (northern France) we can
find useful coal an diron. The harbor
at Antwerp we cannot do without and
with this in our hands the individual
ity of the Flemish population can also