Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-06
thinks PEACE WILL NOT
PROVE TO Be Permanent
bethmann-Hollweg Admits German
Peace Move In 1916 Was
Tactical Maneuvcr.
THOUGHT WILSON pREJUD1CED
Evasive When Asked II He Said
Thank God, We Are Rid of These
People as Peace Mediators" When
America Entered War.
INV Associated prcss.l

BERLIN Nov. 5.-Dr. Won Bethmann-
Ho!lwes, former German chancellor,
DAY before the Subcommittee OF the
National Assembly that he did not be-
iiere during the war and does not now
believe In n lasting peace.
Herr Won n-IIoIlweg, in his
answers to the members OF the sub
committee who are cndeavoring to de-
tcrmine The question of responsibility
for war. said that the peace terms, sug-
Eested by Germany December IL, 1916.
were 4 compromise between the views
Of tie military and political authorities.
Regarding belgium and the Eastern
frontier). l did not believe that a com
paratively long period OF peace would
be granted US l om stIii today unable
to believe in lasting peace. particular
ly after we have had exhibited to US
the state OF mind in watch I'VE entente
has founded what II calls real peace"
IHnd-Sisht Better Than ForeslEht.
Minister Sinzheliner asked way the
Belgian question was not placed at the
head OF the German demand
Bethmann-Ho!lweg replied: 1T Is
very easy to say after the event that
confronted with the collective note from
tho entente governments regarding
peace terms. which was one of com
plete rejection and demanded the dis
memberment and destruction of Ger
many. Wore we to say: We will
be good children; we will give back
Belgium and pay indemnities into tho
In the course OF tho Investigation.
Bethmann-H oilweg said that no had
given Ambassador Gerard no informa-
ton for President Wilson about Ger
many's desire In tho East, since Belgium
was the subject chiefly In tho mind of
the President at that time. He had az
s nnnd A n. ,. Gsrard that seiEium
always been background for attacks
upon Germany.
DR.. Won Bcthmann -Holiwee said no
did not believe Ambassador Gerard was
we'll informed when he left Germany
on leave In September OF 1916. but that
ne got information in America and was
In December OF that year. Herr Won
Bethmann- Eoiiwey said. however. that
he was certain Ambassador Gerard
learned OF the coming Unrestricted sub
marine warfare through Captain Cher
ardi. the American naval attache at
Berlin.
Az to President'a oner.
Both Herr zimmerman, the former
foreign secretary. and DR.. Won Beth
nnnn-IIollwes said that the offer OF
President Wilson would have made him
Germany's business manager. Count
Won BernstorT had contributed q dccla-
German peace offer would disturb Pres
tdent Wilson as claimed. Colonel
House, he reported. had told him that
ter than one from Germany.
DIR. zimmerman said that !le knew
that the Wilson peace OFFER would be
taken in "A most unfriendly spirit by
the people. but that German peace Of
fer would convince the world OF the
weakness OF Germany and would be
considered evidence that Germany did
not want America TO offer peace.
When asked II Germany had made
the peace overtures TO eliminate the
possibility OF an offer from President
Wilson. Or. III zimmerman evaded an an
swer. but when pressed he declared
that IL was q tactical maneuver Hc
had not told the German press about
esident Wilson's oner he Sad
no call 20 to!;c President Wilson's part
with the PRESS.
Thought Wilson PreJudiced.
Edouard David. the Socialist minis
ter OF the interior, asked whether the
peace offer OF President Wilson or that
OF Germany was TO be preferred The
former foreign secretary replied That
he held 70 the standpoint that the Of
fer would come better from Prcsden;
would look like weakness on the part
OF Germany and that of President Will
son could be refused more easily. Im-
6-.rnann complained that President
Wilson was prejudiced against Ger
many.
The former foreign secretary again
cNadcd direct answer when he was
asked If he mad said when America
entered the war:
Thank God. we are rid OF those
people as peace mediators."
lie SAID that Germany knew that
America would break off diplomatic
relations and enter the war but that
the German government had jumped in
on the unrestricted submarine war
fare as 4 last chance TO gain the vic
tory.