New-York tribune., 1919-07-28
Kaiser Spurned
Peace i'm 1917.
Says Michaelis
Overtures Made by Vati-
can Rejected by Crown
Council Because Ex-Em.
.peror Wanted Belgium

.perOr wanted Belgium
BERLIN, July 27 (By The Associated
Press).-Dr. George Michaelis, the
former Imperial Chancellor, in a long
declaration published by the "Taeg-
liche Rundschau," disclaims RESPONSE
bility for refusal of peace overtures in
1917, attributed to him by Matthias Err
berger, Vice-Premier, speaking in the
German National Assembly Friday.
On that occasion Erzberger declared
peace overtures were made to Germany
by Great Britain and France through
the Vatican in August, 1917, and tina.
Chancellor Michaelis, on September "a
wrote that the situation was not suf-
ficiently clear, and rejected the over
lures.
DR.. Michaelis in his present state
ment says the proposals were laid be-
fore him early in September, not
August, and that he discussed them
with DR.. Won Kuehlmann, who was
Foreign Secretary at the time. Later
he requested The Emperor to hold =
Crown Council in the presence of the
supreme army and navy authorities.
Emperor Clung to Belgium
This took place on September II,
and the result of the conference, he
says, was summed up by the Emperor
in the following written memorandum:
"The annexation of Belgium is
dubious. Belgium could be restored
The Flanders coast, it is true, is very
important, and Zeebrugge must not
fall into the hands of the British.
But the Belgium coast alone could not
be held.
"The close economic union Of Bel
gium with Germany must be brought
about Belgium has the greatest in
terest in this"
The former Chancellor explains that
he arranged with Won Kuhlmann to
make soundings, through suitable
person, to indicate, in accordance with
requisites for negotiation were recog-
milton of Germany's territorial integ-
rity, restoration of the German colo
nies, abandonment of an economic war
and no indemnity. Great secrecy was
necessary, and it was considered in
advisable to negotiate through the
Vatican, because that might have rem
dered an indiscretion by Erzberger pos
sble.
In conclusion DR.. Michaels says: ~
did my utmost, and if the plans failed
it was due to the fact that our enemies
were unwilling"
Ludendorff Ignorant of Letter
General Ludendorff, former First
Quartermaster General, is also out
with a declaration in the "Berliner
Zeitung," in which he denies that he
knew Of the papal letter or the reply
Of DR.. Michaelis, until disclosed by
Herr Erzberger. He learned, he
says, from other sources in August
that Great Britain was willing to talk
peace, and mentions the council Of
September II. He adds that decision
was reached, but does not mention what
it was.
The Conservative papers say the Con-
servatives had many conferences with
papal delegates, but negotiations were
futile, because the Entente refused
peace until Germany admitted her war
guilt.
Before the Assembly at Weimar the
Socialist deputy, Herr Wells, said he
was authorized by President Ebert to
say that Ebert first learned of the
British peace feeler through the
Erzberger speech.
COPENHAGEN, July 27.-The text
of the report of Count Czernin, the
former Austro-H Hungarian Foreign Min
lster, to Emperor Charles, dated April
II, 1917, which was the subject of an
attack on Matthias Erzberger in the
German National Assembly, is pub
iished in Weimar. Its principal point
is the necessity of opening peace ne
gotiations before our enemies are
aware Of our expiring power"
Count Czernin pointed out the crit
ical situation in Austria and GERMANY
and the revolutionary danger on Eu-
ropes horizon, and warned the Empe-
ror that hopes founded on submarine
warfare we're deceptive. He also en-
phasized what Americas entry into the
war would mean.