Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-24
KAISER SCOFFED
At intervention
BY i. s. IN 1877
Won BernStorff Tells How
William Invited Breach
With America - ReveIa-
ton Creates Sensation

BERLIN, Oct. 23.-The former
American intervention early in 1917,
according to Count Won Bernstorff,
then ambassador to the United
States.
Replying to a question by Doctor
Sinsheimer when he resumed testl-
flying in the reichstag committee in
vestigation of the conduct of the war,
Won Bernstorff admitted that Will
hem telegraphed Foreign Secretary
Zimmerman about January Is, 1917,
that if a breach with America can
not be avoided, things must take
their course"
The statement created a sensation,
several committee members gasping
audibly. There was a hurried con-
sultation and after some delay copy
of the telegram was produced. 1t
was red by Sinsheimer.
His majesty does not care bit
about President Wilson's peace Of
fer the telegram said. IF breach
with America cannot be avoided
things must take their course. Events
are developing"
The excitement grew a. the full
text was read and the committee and
audience grasped the full import OF
this hidden bit of imperial diplomacy.
There was a confused muttering
above which DR.. Karl Helfferich,
former German ambassador to Rus
STA, could be heard to whisper loud
ly: Nonsense
When the hearing was resumed,
Sinsheimer declared Germany's pro-
gram of peace conditions sent to
Wilson on January -, 1917, and said
to be the same as Germany offered
December %, 1916, were in reality
not the same.
"This is the first time that I ever
knew that" Interrupted Won Bern
storff, eXcitedly.
Returning to discussion of alleged
German plots in America, Won Bern
storff said he believed that nothing
ever transpired to justify the accusa-
ton of conspiracy. He admitted that
certain German officials had part1cl-
pated in acts of sabotage, but de-
clared the German foreign office was
never a party to it.
AIHSl lCdII Opl4l4OAA Aeo@NA''"N
MANY resulted mainly from the inva-
sion of Belgium he maintained.
Resuming his testimony this aft
| ernoon before the reichstag commit
tee Won Bernstorff replied in the at
ifrmative~ to the question:
''Was President Wilson an hon
est mediator"
But" continued Won Bernstorff,
''Wilhelmstrasse (the German for
eign ofice) seemed to have had a
different opinion and dictated tactics
to be pursued by me which indicated
| clearly their belier. l am honestly
of the opinion that at this time,
President Wilson intended there
should be a peace without either VIC
tor or vanquished."
Discussing the exchange of notes
between the German foreign Office
and the American state department
| in 1915, Won Rernstorff maintained
that President Wilson undoubtedly
was ready to attempt institution OF
| peace negotiations, providing Ger
many made plain she had no inten-
! ton of anneXing Belgium.
! When Secretary Lansing announc-
ed that Captain Boy-Ed, German ma
| Val dIldClteJ dliu captain NO"t cpSiA'
German attache, must leave the
country, Won Bernstorff said he ask
ed Lansing if he also were impC'
Gated in the alleged plots.
| mo, I would be sorry to see you
! leave Washington" Won bernStorff
said Mr.. Lansing replied
According 10 Won Bernstorff, Col
onel House expressed similar senti-
|