Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-10-24
TELEGRAM
Of KAISER.
AST0UNDS
German Emperor's Message
Following President Wilson's
Endeavors to Bring Peace in
1917 Is Made Public.
U. S. ENTRY INTO WAR
NOT FEARED, HE SAID
HoIIweg Reported to Have As
serted That if Wilson's Offer
Had Come Sooner U-Boat
War Would Not Have Begun.

Had Come Sooner U-B0at
War Would Not Have Begun.
Berlin, Oct. 23.-President Viii
sons peace offer was matter of lit
tie concern to the German emperor,
according to the evidence presented
before the subcommittee investigat-
ing the war. Furthermore the inter
vention of the United States appar-
emily was not seriously considered
by the emperor,
During the examination of Count
Won Bernstorff, former ambassador
at Washington, the socialist deputy,
DIR. Sinsheimer, said:
"The kaiser's telegram to which
you refer, dated January 16, 1917,
and addressed to Herr Zimmerman
(foreign secretary says literally:
His majesty instructs me to thank
you for your communication. His
majesty does not care bit about
President Wilson's offer. If breach
with America cannot be prevented it
cannot be helped. Events are devel-
oping.'
There was much excitement when
the message was read. DR.. Karl
Helfferick, former vice chancellor,
whispered, Nonsense"
DR.. Sinsheimer maintained that
the peace conditions sent to Presi-
dent Wilson. January e, 1917. which
were said to be the same as those
Germany offered December is, 1916.
were feally nothing like them.
All Appear Astounded.
Every one present appeared as
founded at this statement anG Count
Won Bernstorff exclaimed excitedly:
Then / am told this today for the
first time"
Under cross-examination Won
Bernstorf quoted the German en-
peror and General Ludendorff on
his Bernstorff's) return from
Washington. The emperor said
Won Bernstorff had failed on two
points: First, in allowing the Brit
,lsh to confscate the trunk with
Swedish diplomats papers thought
to contain his Mexican kilograms,
and second, by permitting the Unit
ed States to send James w. Gerard
to Germany as ambassador.
Ludendorff accused him of at
tempting to make peace by agitat-
ing against the submarine warfare
and declared that the U-boat war
would bring peace in three months.
He then told the former embassa-
dor that President Wilson's peace
proposal could not pass the reich
stag; it would be championed only
by the socialists, adding that "rot-
ten peace" was impossible.
Poland's Fate Discussed.
The question of Poland's fate in
connection with President Wilson's
peace efforts was discussed.
Count Won Bernstorff sair 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
ereignty. Replying to another ques-
ton the former ambassador said:
Without Americas help the en-
tente could not have vanquished
Germany. If we succeeded in pre-
venting war with America a peace
of understanding would at least have
been possible"
Won Bernstorff 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
manner differing with President
Wilson's ideas.
Plenty OF Warning.
The discussion turned largely
upon the period of the declaration
by Germany of its submarine war
fare. Won Bernstorff testified that
after President Wilson's message to
congress on January q, Col. E. M.
House, the presidents confidential
adviser, summoned him 10 New
York and thereupon Won Bernstorff
cabled his government saying that
the United States did not intend to
interfere in territorial questions, but
wanted Germany's peace conditions
made public as evidence of Ger
many's sincerity and adding:
IF the submarine warfare is be-
gun straight away the president
would feel it blow in the face and
war with America would be unavoid-
able"
DR.. Sinsheimer pointed out that
Won Bernstorff was aware officially
January Is that submarine warfare
had been decided on and that the
ambassador was to present note to
the Washington government con-
corning it on January 81.
No More Negotiations.
!. Won Bernstorff then continued:
Il communicated the peace condi
tions to Colonel House on the 30th
and on the 31st presented the decla.