The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-10-22
GERMANY OPENS WAR
PROBE, DERNSTORFF
IS FIRST WITNESS
Former Ambassador Testifies 10
Efforts Of President Wilson TO
End War and TO Conferences
With Col. House.

BERLIN. Oct. 2a.-Tho committee
which IN to Investigate the RESPONSE
billy OF various German officials for
bringing on tho war held is nrst ses-
sion yesterday, with Count Johann
Won Bernstorn. former German am
b%asHadOr 10 the United States. Bs the
principal witness.
Won Bcrnstorn related for the ben
ent Of the committee details Of all the
good offices OF President Wilson %
end the war. giving the dates, one
date mentioned was August, 1914, and
another September OF the snme year,
to which Won Rernstorn said the en-
tenie apparently did not reply.
The former ambassador said Pres
ident Wilson held the opinion TINT
the United States was the only power
possessing sufficient influence to hl ins
about a termination OF the q lie
referred to IN important memorhn-
dunn, written personally by Emperor
William October ?. 1918. which nj
first u was intended TO hand to James
w. Gerard. h American ambassador
In Berlin. but which nnaily was tel
eeraphed to Won Bernctorn for trans
mission TO Colonel r. NJ. House. Pres
ident Wilson'S confidential adviser.
Wantai PcaSc Hurricl.
In his memorandum, Won Bernstorn
snid. the government asked President
- ~ 0E'AANN w." ~ ANNk"
ais In view Of the fact that the meth
DDS NJ warfare were becoming in
creasingly severe In form.
Won Bernstorf expressed the belief
that the German did nnt
desire President Wilson to Interfere
In territorial problems. but wished
him to favor the Idea Of a conference.
of all the states Of The world for the
discussion of the problems Of n league
~ nations. the freedom Of the seas.
International courts OF arbitration an !
the like.
Count Won Perns'orn told the COM
mission that the German orer ~ pc
cember ~. 1916. seriously interferrI
with President wilson's peace plans
which then were rlpening and mat
the German proposal not only handl-
capped President Wilson In public
opinion at home, but prompted the
entente powers to construe Herlin's
move Ms a sign OF weakness and in
duced them TO turn a leaf ear 20
President Wilson.
In summing up his morning testi-
nony. Count Won Pernstorn made the
positive declaration that PresidenI
Wilson was ready To undertake a def
Unite peace action, ever In the fac 81
the absence Of concrete propositions
from Berlin; that he proposed negn-
tlating n temporary peace which
would not touch upon territorial Vs..
sues, leaving the adjustment OF all
position OF the main pence confer
cnces.
Minute Dcznils.
Count Won Bernstorm entered into
minute details OF alleged converse
tons with Colonel House, with whom
he conferred chiefly at Culontl
Houses New York residence. Wash
-
negotiations chiefly. Won Hsrnstorn
said. because OF the newspaper men
who. despite secretivencss, scattered
news inimical to the progress q ns-
gotiations.
Won Bernstorn was frequently Inter
rupted by members OF the commits
sion Of three experts. who asked for
elucidatlon or confirmation of the Of
fetal documents which were intro.
duced hy Won Uerrst1rn.
when Colonel House returned n
1915 from a second visit Ia Europe"
said Won Bcrnstorr. "hc told me the
chief obstacle 10 peace then was
Paris. that London showed a certain
inclination 20 entertain the proposal
and Berlin also assented."
Colonel House told Van Bernsiorr.
according to the witness. hat presi-
Gent Nilsson no longer was able -
force Great Britain to observe inter-
national law, but as American com
merce was so intimately associated
with that Of Great Britain that the
president could not possibly disturb
the relations without creating a storm
OF protest.
Colonel House then intimnted. tho
witness continued, that President WI
son, on the other hand. was In n good
position to negotiate peace without
victory. n proposed TO do 81 as soon
as the situation was favorable. How
ever. In view Of the fact that such No.
ton would be interpreted as pro Ger
man the president thought best 10 de-
fer II until the sentiment against
Germany has somewhat subsidized.
The witness added that the presl-
dent suggested a pnusc and hoped %
resume his enort late In the summer.
when Rumanla entered the war no
made further attempts. hut at that
time they were hopeless. as the en-
tcnte believed II was sure victory
throvth the addition Of their eastern