The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-02
I'VE Stake Everything for
a Swift Victory" Says I'M
pelial Chancellor.
"OUR BEST METHOD Is
A RUTHLESS WARFARE"
Tells Reichstag Ways and
Means Committee Nothing
Will Be Spared.

lor Won Bethmann- -Hollweg and other
Ministers attended an important session
of the Ways and Means Committee Of
the Reichstag yesterday. at which the
entire war situation was gone over and
new steps planned by the Central Powers
we're considered. The Chancellor opened
the sitting with a speech of which the
keynote words were: I'VE have been
challenged to fight to the end. We ac-
cept the challenge. We stake everything
and we shall be victorious"
The Chancellor was followed by the
Secretary OF State for the Admiralty.
who spoke of the situation from the
technical military and naval viewpoint.
Detailed statistical data in regard to the
economic position OF the world were sup
piled by the Secretary Of the Interior
and Foreign Secretary Zimmerman re-
piled to several special questions. After
the Ministers had spoken the committee
went into secret session. at which
speeches were made by representatives
OF the Centrist. National Liberal and
Progressive parties.
"GuiIt Upon Opponents"
ION December 12." said the Chancel-
lor. II explained to the Reichstag the
reasons which led to our peace offer.
The reply of our opponents clearly and
precisely said that they declined peace
negotiations with US and want TO hear
only of a peace which they dictate. BY
,t,t hn -tnl 0f guilt for the
continuation of the war is decided. The
guilt falls alone on our opponents. Just
as definite is our task. The conditions
of the enemy we cannot discuss. They
could only be accepted by totally de-
feated people II therefore means that
we must fight
"Presdent Wilson's message to Con-
gress shows sincere wish to restore
peace to the world Many of his maxims
agree with our aims, namely. freedom OF
the seas, abolishmcnt of the system OF
balance OF power which always is bound
to lead to new difficulties. equal rights or
all nations and an open door But what
are the peace conditions of the Entente :
Germanys defensive force 10 be de-
stroyed, We to lose Alsace- Lorraine and
our eastern provinces, the Danube mon
archy to be dissolved. Bulgaria again 10
be cheated of her national unity ana
Turkey to be pushed out of Europe ana
sma shed in Asia. The destructive de-
signs of our opponents cannot be eX-
pressed more strongly. We have been
challenged to fight to the end We ac-
cept the challenge, we stake everything
and shall be victorious"
Discussed with the Kaiser.
The Chancellors announcement to the
Reichstag committee has been the sub
ject of discussion at great headquarters
during the last week by the Emperor. the
Chancellor, the Foreign Secretary, the
military authorities and the Austro-Hun-
garan Premier, Count Czernin. Al
though decision is supposed tc Fave
been reached last week. Foreign Secre-
tary Zimmerman again travelled 10
great headquarters on Monday. on his
return on Tuesday he received the Amer
lean Ambassador. James w. Gerard. and
held a long discussion with him.
In his address Chancellor Won Beth
mann -Hollweg explained why in March
and May OF last year he had opposed
unrestricted submarine war and why
again in September. according to the
unanimous Judgment of the political and
military authorities the question was
not considered ripe for decision"
In this Connection the Chancellor re-
peated his previous utterance, that as
soon as he. in agreement with the SUI
preme army command. reached the con-
viction that ruthless submarine wal
would bring Germany nearer victorious
peace then the C-boat war would be
started.
..,,. Ina, ,c,tc stage"
by this development OF the SITUATION
tho decision concerning submarine war.
fare has been forced INTO the last acute
stage" said the Chancellor The ques'
tion OF t-boat war, as members OF tht
Rechstag will remember, mas occupied
us three times in this committee. namely
I in March. May ana september or las'
year. On each occasion IN an exhaustive
stateDent ! eXpounded the points foi
and against in this question. l EN-
phasized on each occasion mat was
speaking pro tempore. and not as sup
81 -,