Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-24
KAISER'S SCORN OF U. S.
POWER BROUGHT OUT IN
BERLIN TESTIMONY

Berlin Oct. 2S-(By the Associated
Press)-President Wilson's peace OF.
fer was q matter Of little concern tc
the German Empire. according to the
evidence presented before the sub
committee investigating the war
Furthermore, the Intervention Of the
United States apparently was n II
seriously considered by the Emperor
The incident caused sensation
and concluded the examination OF
Count Won Bernstorf. the former
German ambassador at Washington.
The Vocalist deputy, DR.. Sineheimer.
turned toward Won Bernstorff an ]
said:
The kaiser's telegram, to which
you referred Jan. 10, 1917 and ad-
dressed to Herr Zimmerman (foreig /
instincts me to thank you for your
communication. His Majesty does
not care a bit about President VIII
sons offer. If a breach with Amer
lea cannot be prevented, it cannot be
helped. Events are developing"
There was much excitement at the
!, holding when the message was real.
DR.. Karl Helfferich, the former vice
chancellor, whispered nonsense"
DR.. Sinsheimer maintained that the
peace conditions sent to Presiden,
Wilson on Jan. IS. 1917, which we .-e
said TO be the same as those which
Germany offered on December IL,
1916, We're really nothing like them.
Everyone present appeared as-
founded at this statement. and Count
Won Bernstorff exclaimed Then l am
told this today for the first time"
Under cross examination Won
Bernstorff quoted the German En-
peror and General Lundendorf of his
(Bernstorffs) return from Washing
ton. The emperor said Won Berns-
torf had failed on two points, first,
in allowing the British to conflscatc
the trunk with a Swedish diplomats
papers thought to contain his Next
can telegram, and, second, by per-
hitting the United States 20 send
James W Gerard to Germany as am
bassador.
Lundenorff accused him of attempt
ing TO make peace b agitation
against the submarine war and de-
clared that the U-boat war would
bring peace in three months. He then
told the former ambassador that
President Wilson's peace proposal
could not pass the Reichstag; it
would be championed only by the
Socialists, adding that rotten
peace" was impossible.
At today's sitting the question of
Poland's fate in connection with
President Wilson's peace efforts was
discussed. Count Won Bernstorff
said that in his discussions with the
United States government there was
no question OF territory concerned in
giving Poland access to the sea or
being withdrawn from German COW
ereignty. Replying to another ques-
ton, the former ambassador said:
without Americas help the en-
tente could not have vanquished Ger
many. If we had succeeded in pre-
venting war with America a peace
of understanding would at least hav
been possible"
Won Bernstor1 also expressed the
opinion that President Wilson would
have raised no difficulties had the
proposed world conference to settle
peace solved the Polish question in a
manner different from President Will
sons ideas.
The discussion today turned large
ly upon the period Of the declaration
by Germany OF her submarine war
fare. Won Bernstorff testified that
after President Wilson's message to