The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-28
MICHAELIS ADMITS
ERZBERGER CHARGE
Former Chancellor Says Ex-
Kaiser Rejected Peace
Feeler.
COUNCIL CONSIDERED 1T
Decision Made to Hold Out for
Almost All Of Junker
Terms.
COUNCIL CONSIDERED 1T

BERLIN. July a7.-Dr. Geors Mlchaelis,
the former Imperial Chancellor, In
long declaration published by the TdeS-
hsehe Rurdschau, disolains RESPONSE
bility for refusal OF peace overtures In
1917, attributed to him by Matthias Ers-
berger, vice-Premier, speaking IN the
German National Assembly Friday.
On that occasion Herr Erzberser de-
clared that peace overtures were made
to Germany by Great Britain and France
through the Vatican in August, 1917,
and that Chancellor Michaelis OF, Sep
tember ~ wrote that the situation was
not sufflciently clear and rejected the
overtures
DR.. Michaelis, in his present state
msnt. says the proposals were laid be-
fore him early In September, not August.
ana that he discussed them with Or.
von Suehlnlann, who was Foreign Sec
rotary at the time. Later he requested
the Emperor 70 hold Crown Council
in the presence OF the supreme army and
navy authorities. This was held on Sep
TENDER IL and the result OF the confer
enee, he says. was summed up by the
Emperor in the following written men,
orandum:
The annexation OF Belgium Is du-
bious. Belgium could be restored. The
Flanders coast, It 10 true. In very I'M
portant, and Zeebruese must not fan
into the hands OF the British. BIT the
Belgian coast alone could not be held.
THE close economic union OF Bel
GUM with Germany must be brought
about Belgium has the greatest In
terest in this"
They Feared Vatican.
The former Chancellor explains that
he arranged with Won Kuehlmann TO
make soundings, through a suitable per-
son, 20 Indicate. in accordance with the
Crown Councils decision, that pre-.
requisites for negotiation were recog-
milton OF Gerrnany'S territorial intee-
rity. restoration OF the German coll
onies abandonment OF an economic
war and no indemnity.
Great secrecy was necessary, ana IL
was considered inadvisable to negotiate
through the Vatican. because that
might have rendered an indiscretion
by Erzbereer possible.
In conclusion Or. Michaelis says IT
did my utmost. and IL the plans failed
Il WAS due 10 the fact that our enemies
were unwilling"
Gen. Erich tudendorff. former First
ster. General, 10 also out with
a declaration in the Berlin Zeituh1 In
which he denies that he knew OF the
Papal letter or the reply Of Dr. Miehaelis
until disclosed by Herr Erzberger. He
learned, he says, from other sources In
August that Great Britain was willing
to talk peace. and mentions the council
of September /. He adds that a decision
was reached. but does not mention what
IL was.
Tha Commemorative ma mars sav the Con-
servatives had many conferences with
Pabai delegates, but that negotiations
we're futile, because the Entente refused
peace until Germany admitted her war
guilt.
Before the Assembly at weinar the
Socialist Deputy Herr Wells said he
was authorized by President Ebert TO
say that he first learned OF tire British
peace feeler through the Ersberger
speech.
coPESH AoEx. July 27.--Tne text of
the report OF Count CEernin, the former
Austro- Hungarian Foreign Minister, 10
Emperor Charles dated April IL, 1917,
which was the subject OF an attack on
Matthias Ersberger in the German Ma
tional Assembly Is published in Weinar.
It's principal point is the necessity OF
opening peace negotiations before our
enemies are aware of our expiring
power"
Count Csernin pointed out the critical
situation IN Austria and Germany and
the revolutionary danger on Europe's
horizon. and warned the Emperor that
hopes founded on submarine warfare
were deceptive. He also emphasized
what Americas entry into the war
would mean.