The sun., 1917-03-30
Chancellor Spoke to Influ-
ence His Own People,
Washington View.
ISSUE IS CLARIFIED
BY PRONOUNCEMENT
Officials Here Believe Ger
many Will Not Modify
U-BOat Warfare.
ACQUITS EMPIRE
OF RESPONSIBILITY
Speech Is Taken as Admission
Kaiser Expects Clash
With U. S.

has expressed again defiance OF the
United States. This is one of the
salient features Of the speech in the
Reichstag to-day by DR.. Won Beth
mann -Hollweg, the Imperial Chancel-
lor, as viewed by officials here. The
German Government is unwilling to
take any measures to prevent war
with this country and Is seeking to
place the responsibility for war upon
this Government. The Chancellors
statement that Germany does not want
war Is looked upon here as being
plainly intended for home consump-
ton.
Sitting the speech Of It's fine phrases
there Is seen here not the olive branch
abandons its position.
In no way will the speech change
the resolution Of the President to 10
before Congress and ask for measures
to defend the lives OF American citi-
zens and the honor and dignity Of the
nation. The anxiety with which the
| speech has been awaited gave place
tonight to a feeling Of relief in Ad-
ministration circles.
| Issue II Clarihed.
| Instead Of befogging the issue by
| sham peace proposals. as was feared.
! the speech OF the Chancellor has II any,
thing greatly clarified II. Unless this
country retreats from It's demand that
ahyy,a ayty % "a
cease It must support Its stand by re-
! course to arms.
| AS expected. the German Chancellor
acuuits Berlin In advance. He virtually
warns the American people that the
United States Government by defend
ing it's citizens against unrestricted
submarine warfare, will be forcing
war upon nation which does not de-
sire it.
The Chancel,or's speech in so far as
II touches on German-American rela-
tons is regarded here as a clumsy effort
to shift responsibility. It is this that
has occasioned relief In official quar-
ters. 1t had been expected that Ger
many would at the eleventh hour seek
to stave of American participation in
the war. It was not believed. however,
that the German move would be based
on such transparently distorted reason
ing as the Chancellor has resorted to.
Reports that Germany might make
some spectacular peace move have III
the last few days entered as disturb
ing factor into the deliberations OF the
President and his Cabinet But II there
is any hidden surprise which Germany
intends to spring at the last moment
in the hope Of influencing the Amerl'
can people it Is certainly not divulged In
the Chancellor's method of emphasizing
the German Governments contention
that 1t will be blameless If war comes
May BE Threat or plea.
officials here are not quite certain
whether the Imperial Chancellor IN
tended to sound a warning or hoped &c
advance pacnst argument when ne
stated that "If the United States wishes
m make unrestricted submarine warfare
the cause OF war Germany cannot
. help IT.
The statement Is regarded as erpha
sizing the German belief that the aban'
donment Of relentless C-boat warfare Il
too high a price to pay to keep America
out of the ranks OF Germany's enemies
Indeed the tenor of the Chancellor
speech lends further support to tht
theory advanced in certain diplomat,
circles that Germany has resigned her
self to Americas participation In thu
war and fully expects II. Germany re
CARDS IL of paramount Importance. how
ever. to place the responsibility on th'
, United States.
According TO the view taken here th'
situation in Germany now Is such tina
the Imperial Government must at al
: costs impress the German people witt
the belief that the continuation anc
spreadlng OF the world conflict Is no
because Of Germany's acts, but because
of the aggressive policy OF her enemies
The German Government Is therefore
picturing the fatherland as natlo!
fighting for Its very existence agains
n world OF envious rivals.
1t Is seeking to impress on the peopl
t the conviction that the only alternative
, TO the present suffering and privations Il
r destruction. And now apparently tn
] United States Is represented as one o
A these coyetous rival nations which ma.
. force war on the fatherland. using as
I preteXt the German submarine block
t sde.
I President Wilson and Secretary Ian
= sing are understood to feel that n
! answer Is required TO the Chancellor
= implied charge that the United State
\ may be seeking to force war. II Ger
many. under the coaching.of Count vo
Bernstorff, has aimed to divide Amer
can councils she is likely to he dis
appointed. 1t is not believed that tn
. Cbancellor's speech will make
u yery deep impression on Congress @
strengthen the hands OF the pacifist
!, IL is regarded as doubtful II even III
'. most out and out pacihsts can logicall
! support the German Governments cor
tentiop.
Onicials here are not counting the