Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-04
GERMAN SAYS VIII SON
WAS TOO DEEP FOR HIM
Former Chancellor Won Bethmann-H ollweg Testifying
Before War Investigators, Declares He Doubted
Presidents Sincerity in Efforts for Peace

on the wall of Emperor Wilhelm l. and
hisnlarck. the first Imperial Chancellor.
on the battlefield of Sedan Nearby
sat Grand Admiral Won TirpitZ.
pubic admission that the military
p"r!y ruled Germany during the war,
controlling the civil government. was
, mac by Bethmann-Ilollweg during
me morning session. In effect. he de-
SO hEpnotizcd in their worship of
ltindenhurg and Ludendorn that not
only he, the Chancellor hut even the
Kaiser himself, was helpless against
All Responsible for U-Bonts.
The former Imperial Chancellor
placed the responsibility for the re-
newal of unrestricted submarine war
rare not alone upon the militarist lead
ers. but upon the majority of the
RcichStag and the German people as
we'll
Unrestricted U-boat warfare. he tes-
tilted. was demanded by the army and
navy. supported by tho Rcichstag, and
approved by the people. in the belief
that it would lead to the desired goal
IA quick. favorable ending of the war.
There was unshakablc popular faith in
the success OF the U-boats.
The witness told how he was attack ed
and deridcd fer standing out against
II and called ~ man of little courage"
Following the unsuccessful peace move
in December. 1916. tho supreme high
command, he said. demanded that un-
restricted u-boat operations be
launched forthwith.
"A precise explanation came from
LudcndorT that unless the uboats
started the campaign would be lost"
The witness added that he tele-
Eraphcd to the supreme command.
doubling this confident prediction. and
in reply there came 'brusaue telc-
gram from Hindcnburg that the mill
tary situation demanded energetic &C
ton upon the seas"
cave Why to IIindenburE.
1.-THE field marshal set his full re-
tinucd the witness. before which Hin
1enhnrE deciaredi me ohah hay r P0
II was of the opinion that the U-boat
America. but against iiindenhurE's at
titude l could not continue to press my
view that political means might bring
"The fact that the high command
was determined. if necessary, to let It
come to breach with America. and
rivalry with the political leadership Of
the country. was decisive.
My retirement. could have changed
nothing. The decision was unalterable.
Even the Kaiser would not have been
able. should he have so wished. to up
hold any chancellor against the veto
" Could Not rnthom wilson.
oues.1neG aG1in wih eGasd
ex-chanccllor said:
1--WE could not see into the eoul Of
Wilson. and I would not even attempt
it. The President was. to speak.
handicapped by the relations between
his country and the entente"
The N-chanccllor declared that Mr..
Wilson had repeatedly made known
that "if we gave up restricted U-boat
warfare he would bring England back
to the declaration, of London"
The witness laid great emphasis on
Count Won Bernstorfr's testimony to
the effect that President Wilson had
informed him through Colonel House
inmed ia tely after the Sussex note that
he could do nothing against Ensland's
violations of international law on the
seas because of Americas trade rela-
lions with that country.
Herr Won Bethmann- HollweE prom
Used to tell the committee later what
he knew OF william Jennings Bryan's
resignation as Secretary OF state.