Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-01
Grilled by Committee.

went grllllng Interrogation before
the subcommittee which is endeavor-
ing to determine what possibilities
for peace had presented themselves
during the war.
Commissioner Sinsheimer questioned
the former chancellor SO insistently
on matters detailed at the morning
session that Won Bethmann HollWeg
grew almost savage. although for
long time he had adopted an apollo
getic attitude.
Considerable time was devoted to
the part played by Ambassador &C.
rard, Won Bethmann Hollweg repeat
eddy asserting that Germany was sus-
picious of President Wilson's SINGER
ity in offering peace, because he
president WILSON, did not confide in
Gerard and the latter had to go to
the President for information. The
ex-chancellor said Ambassador &C.
rard's observations in Germany gen
orally conceded with his own.
Direct answers were frequently
evaded by Won Bethmann Hollweg.
who said he could not remember
whether he gave Gerard German
peace terms. although they had often
spoken of peace and he had told Ge-
rard things he said in the reichstag.
Asks Time to Study Archives.
The questions of the examiner here
became so insiStent that Won Beth
mann f1OllWeR DTlQlGu anu DIS hcu tIIiC
to study the archives. which until
week ago he had not seen for two
years He said he told Gerard that
Belgium must not be used as mill
tary base for another attack on Ger
many and discussed with the ambas-
Sador various military and econom-
ical postwar relations.
The former chancellor reiterated
that Germany distrusted Wilson be-
cause. he was known to be dilatory.
and thsA he (the ex-chancellor) had
told Gerard he was skeptical of the
Presidents attitude. DIR. Won Beth
mann Hollweg then described repeat
ed efforts he had made to have the
chief censor check pan-German news
papers in their attacks on the United
States, but asserted the peoples will
for the U-bOat warfare was too strong
and whether the press was quieted
or not. the people retained their pref
udices.
II never saw a rosy future" de-
clared Won Bethmann Hollweg. but
when the submarine war became in
evitable 1 considered it my duty to
assume a confident attitude toward
the people. the army and the reichs-
tag and to speak hopefully"
Condemned Submarine War.
The former chancellor said he
sharply condemned the submarine
warfare, but admitted the influence
of Admiral Tirpitz, Gen. Ludendorff
and Field Marshal Won Hindenburg
was SO strong that the German people
were absolutely convinced of it's JUS
LITIGATION, and followed their generals
blindly.
His voice almost broke with emo
ton as he told of his efforts to meet
his responsibilities. both to the peo-
pie at home and the soldiers in the
trenches. When he tried TO oppose the
submarine war he said, Gems. Luden-
dorff and Won Hindenburg wired the
foreign Office that Germany would lose
the campaign on the west front and
that she must have the submarine
war.
1t was considered finally, according
to the former chancellor. that even
America, should she enter the war,
could be handled. and the army au-
thorities threw down the gauntlet to
political figures who opposed the sub
marine campaign.
America, which the former chancellor
said he issued, failed of their pur-
pose, because, he declared, intense
hatred of America ruled solidly in all
political circles, owing to the deliv-
cry of ammunition to the entente by
the United States.
DR.. Won Bethmann Hollweg ac-
knowledged that the facts established
in the course of the proceedings were
correct, and admitted Germany's wish
President Wilson was willing to join.