The sun., 1919-06-30
GAINED WIDE FAME
BY SCRAP OF PAPER


nous reference to the treaty guarantee
ing the neutrality of Belgium as a
"scrap of paper" The phrase caught
the popular interest the world over
and has always been considered remark
ably interpretive OF the spirit that char
acteriZed Germany throughout the war.
In this same speech DIR. Won Beth
mann Hollweg frankly admitted Ger
many's action in invading Belgium had
been morally and legally wrong. He
the grounds of military necessity" the
phrase with which the Teutons COW
cred their crimes throughout the war.
Our troops have occupied Luxem-
bourg and perhaps have also found II
necessary to enter Belgian territory
he said on August 4, 1914. THAT Is
contrary to international law. We
know, however. that. France was ready
TO invade Belgium. France could wait
our lower Rhine flank. which would
prove fatal.
so we were forced to disregard thu
protests of the Luxembourg and Bel.
gian Governments. We shall try &c
make good the injustice We have com
mitted as soon as our military goal has
been reached"
Was Chancellor Ensht Years.
DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg wal
Chancellor OF Germany from July II
1909. to July -. 1917, when he wal
forced out of Office and Or. Georg,
Michaelis appointed By the Kaiser II
his stead. His enemies. particularly tn
militarists. headed by Hindenburg ant
Ludendorff. had been trying to Obtain
his discharge or resignation PRACTICAL,
ever since he made the statement abou
the scrap OF paper" and admitted tn
injustice Of the German invasion OF Bel
GUM. ION several occasions the Chan
cellor issued statements blaming tn,
militarists for the war-this was mostl.
in 1916 and 1917. as in 1914 and 1s1
he had frequently declared that Eng
Last November the Kaiser, according (,
an article IN the Cologne Gosettt
blamed Won Bethmann- Hollweg an,
Gottlieb Won Jagow, former German
Minister of Foreign Affairs as beini
responsible for the war. The article at
tempted to show that the war had beef
started by these two Ministers while tn
Kaiser was visiting Norway and tina
the Emperor really knew nothing abou
what was going on.
| The former German Chancellor ha
often been mentioned as among thos
| who might be tried by the Allies for pc
litical offences in connection with til
origin OF the war. II has been pre-
sumed that his trial would be based o
the scrap OF paper" speech, the invasio
of Belgium and the violation OF Belgia
I and Luxembourg neutrality. Last Fet
ruary Won Bethmann- Hollweg offered {
go before q tribunal TO give the Germa
, people an account of his stewardship a
, Chancellor. ana on March 81 II was ar
? nounced in Berlin that he would be on
{ Of those to be tried by a German coul
| which would investigate the responsible
ity for the loss OF the war by German,
Opposed Democra ttsstion.
Before the war DR.. Won Bethmani
Hollweg stood out strongly against ian
!, agitation for the characterization of &c
D many, and at times was sharply on
spoken in his defiance OF Socialism ar
1 rejected any move to make himself ar
the other German Ministers respons
n BILE to the Reichstag, yet in the ear
stages Of the war he became known
. moderate. and his influence durlr
4 the first two years OF the conflict WI
u thrown against the unrestricted use
l. submarines and breaking off relation
: with the United States. Early in Il
war too. he always refused to make al
definite statement OF Germanys exa
war aims. but instead talked rath
vaguely and ambiguously about "gus
antees for the future OF Germany"
q spoke of the independence OF the Fler
lngs, saying also that Germany want.
assurances that Belgium would
% longer be a menace
"a The FGtherldnd. George Sylvester vi
Is rick's propaganda newspaper, quot
It him thus:
Does any one believe that the laI
we hold in the west. consecrated as
is with the blood of the people, will
surrendered without complete securi
for the future? We must be satisfa
torily assured, that Belgium will n
become q French vassal state, Will II
be erected into a military and econon
bulwark against Germany. German
must see that the long subjugated Flel
ings shall not again be exposed to the
former fate. The ultimate fate of I
colonies will be decided here on I
continent, and our victories hero on I
continent will secure for us coloni
possessions and afford the unquenchat
spirit OF German enterprise opportuI
ties for new and profitable activity"
Perhaps the only definite stateme
the Chancellor ever made regardil
Germany's intentions II she won the W
was made by him in July, 1917. shor,
before his resignation:
Peace without annexations Is not
acceptable peace to Germany. I cam
declare our termA'