Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-24
RAPS GERMANY FOR
IGNORING WILSON
Bernstorff Says Refusal of
Peace Plans Was Worst
Conceivable Politics.
KAISER DID NOT FEAR U. S.

BY the Associated Press.
BERLIN, October 23.-Count Won
Bernstorff emerged unrufI1ed from the
strenuous cross-examination Of the
, morning session during which he re-
iterated his opposition to submarine
warfare and declared he had constant
ly cabled Berlin to prevent it. He
declared that Germany's refusal Of
President Wilson's proposals was the
worst conceivable politics. He inti-
mated that if his advice had been fol-
loved Germany would have had a bet
ter peace than at present
U-Boat Stand Fatal.
The former ambassador asserted
that when President Wilson heard
that the U-boat warfare was to be-
gin his former attitude Of good will
toward Germany turned to stern ill
will. The President, he added. be-
came convinced that Germany want
ed German peace and to rule the
world. while President Wilson wanted
mere lasting peace with freedom Of
the seas.
President Wilson's peace offer was
matter of little concern to the Ger
man emperor according to the evil
| NShNS PAScOhtCu DSlOTc the SuDCOm.
mittee investigating the war. Fur
thermore. the Intervention of the
United States apparently was not
seriously considered by the emperor.
Kaiser Spurned Offer.
The incident caused a sensation
and occurred during the examination
of Count Bernstorff, former ambas-
sador at Washington. The socialist
deputy. DR.. Binsheimer. turned toward
Won Bernstorf and said:
The kaiser's telegram, to which
you refer. dated January Is us1O,
and addressed to Herr Zimmerman
(foreign secretary, says literally:
HIS majesty instructs me to thank
you for your communication. His
majesty does not care a bit about
President Wilson's offer. If breach
with America cannot be prevented, it
cannot be helped. Events are de-
veloping.'"
There was much excitement at the
hearing when the message was read
DR., Karl Helfferich. former vice chan
cellor, whispered: Nonsense"
DR.. Sinshefmer maintained that the
peace conditions sent to President
Wilson on January %. 1917. which
were said to be the same as those
Germany offered on December 10, 1916,
were really nothing like them.
Every one present appeared astound-
ed at this statement, and Count Won
Bernstorr exclaimed excitedly: "Then
am told this today for the first
time"
Bernstorff Blamed.
Under cross-examination Won Bern
storff quoted the German emperor and
Gen. Ludendorff on his (Bernstorff's)
return from Washington. The en-
peror said Won Bernstorf had failed
on two points, first. in allowing the
British to confiscate the trunk with a
contain his Mexican kilograms. and,
second, by permitting the United
States to send James W. Gerard to
Germany as Ambassador.
Ludendorh accused him Of attempt
Ing to make peace by agitating against
the U-boat war would bring peace in
three months. He then told the for
mer Ambassador that President Will
sons peace proposal could not pass
the reichstag; 1t would be championed
only by the socialists, adding that a
rotten peace" was impossible.
America Decided Issue.
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 SOW.
eighty. Replying to another ques-
ton the former ambassador said:
Without Americas help the en-
tente could not have vanQuished Ger.
many. II we had succeeded in M
venting war with America q peace of