The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-27
Germany Refuses to Deny or
Ask Forgiveness.
Says OutrageS No Worse Than
Those of Allies.
OBJECT TO BEING BRANDED
Economic Question Least in
German Minds.
DIR. Dernburg BeWaiIs to League
Lack of Good Will.

Berlin Nov. 27.--Germany feels that
in her conduct of the war she was no
more criminal than the allies and she
is not seeking forgiveness fog herself
or others, according to DR.. Bernard
Dernburg
In a remarkable open letter to For
eign Minister Puerrydon of Argentina
who is attending the League of Ma
lions meeting in Geneva. DernburS
stated today he could not condemn the
sinking of the Lusitania without dis
loyalty to his country.
Denies Hum Charges.
Dernburg declared Germany is
willing to prove the measures and
means used by Germany during this,
war were. neither in proportion nor
kind, worse nor more criminal than
those used by our adverSaries." and
assorted that 1--WE neither seek excuse
nor ask forgiveness from others or
ourselves!"
In explaining why he addressed the
letter to Puerrydon, Dernblrg said:
You were the first to stress SO sin
cere1y and energetically the necessity
for the league comprising all the great
powers. You were also the only one
to find encouraging words in recogni-
ton of Germany's loyalty in carrying
out the treaty. This is the reason L
venture to address you"
OBJECT to Being Branded.
Dernburg said the German people;
were not hurt so much by the eco.
nomic and financial stipulations of the
treaty rs by the spirit with which they
were branded with the stigma of
moral unworthiness, destroying at;
the outset the spirit and good will
without which the league cannot sur
we" He demanded that the league
examine the treaty's condemnation of
Germany "in spirit of justice"
Few viii consider the present league
structure q fitting instrument to at
tain fulfillment of its sublime task to
secure peace on earth thru co-opera-
ton of all men," Dernburg wrote. The
majority of those at the conference
do, however. believe in the possibility
of its perfection.
Dernburg points out former Premier
C1emenceau's accusations against Ger
many made under the treaty.
No Spirit of Good win.
Not on account of the economic
burdens, NUT on account of the Of
fensive one sided statements, which
have not been approved in any impair
tia1 forum, are tAey unbearabIe for
the German people and destroy at the
outset the spirit and good will without
which the league will not thrive" he
said.
1--WE do not deny that during the
progress. of the massacre the world
has just passed thru, much frightful-
ness and oppression was practiced on
our side. These are the accomplish
ments of every war. 1t will always be
difficult to distins uish between muir
der under the sanctioned rules of in
ternationaI law and the misdeeds that
lie beyond this line"
The writer says Germany does not
excuse it's war deeds but will gladly
try its war guilty and that others
fought to do the same" He held that
German hate has been propagandized
by a powerful press. He pointed out
he himself was propagandist and had
to give up his work in New York after
the sinking of the Lusitania: (which
1 could not condemn without disloy-
atty to my country"
Won't Ask Forgiveness.
1--WE maintain, however. and are
willing to prove that the measure and
means used by Germany in this war
are, neither in proportion nor in kind
worse or more criminal than those
used by our adversaries. he said