Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-01-03
Former German
Chancellor Dies
Unexpectedly
.Theobold Won Bethmann.
Hollweg, Who Asked Trial
In Place of Ex.Kaiser,
Succumbs Suddenly.

Berlin, Ian. 2.-Dr. Theobald Won
Bethmann- ollweg, former German
chancellor, died last right after a
brief illness on his estate at Hohen-
finow, near Berlin.
r. Under the most prominent activi-
ties of DR.. Won Bethmann-Hcllweg
was his testimony last year as wit
ness before national assembly COM
mittees investigating responsibility
for the war. His testimony brought
out he had opposed submarine war
fare and had issued warnings not to
underestimate Americas strength.
One of the most famous utterances
during the war was that concerning
a scrap of paper" as regarded the
treaty guaranteeing the neutrality OF
Belgium. This treaty was so char
acterized by DR.. Won Bethmann.
Hollweg during an interview with
Sir Edward Goshen, British ambas-
sador to Germany. The chancellor
expressed his inability 20 understand
Great Britian's attitude with regard
to Germany's attack on Belgium.
Much Agitated. - g.
81 found the chancellor very much
agitated," said Sir Edward after
wards. His excellency at once be-
gan harangue which lasted about
20 minutes. He said the step taken
by his majesty's government was
terrible to degree. Just for word
-neutrality-a word which in war
time had so often been disregarded
just for "a scrap of paper'-Great
Britain was going to make war on
kindred nation, which desired
nothing more than to be friends with
her"
Sir Edward replied that he under
stood thee ee-ehaneellor's- inability to
comprehend the British action, but
that Great Britain attached import
ance to the "scrap OF paper because
it bore her signature, as well as tina.
Of Germany.
DR.. Won Bethmann-H -Hollweg was
chancellor of Germany from July
4, 1909, to July IA, 1917. He was sue
ceeded by DR.. George Michaelis, an
appointee OF the former kaiser. II
was said Won Bethmann-HollWeg was
forced out of office through efforts
Of the militarists. headed by linden
burg and Ludendorff, largely because
of his "scrap paper statement and
his admission that German invasion
of Belgium was unjust. The former
chancellor had, on several occasions,
issued statements blaming the mill
tarists for the war, while previously
he had declared England was re.
sponsible.
Opponent of Socialism.
DR.. Won Bethmann-Hollweg Re.
ceived prominent attention in June
1919, when he asked the allied and
associated powers to place him on
trial instead of the former kaiser
| The supreme council ignored his re.
quest.
His national activities before 1914
were marked by his opposition tc
characterization of Germany. Al
times he was sharply outspoken ii
his defiance of socialism. Early il
the war. however, he became knowr
as moderate. In 1919 reports from
Geneva said he was credited as be.
ing at the bottom of monarchist
movement in favor of both tn,
Hohenzellerns and Hapsburgs. Or
several occasions during his tenur,
OF office, DR.. Won Bethmann-H Hollwee
threw out peace fellers, particularly
iii 1916, when he invited the allies te
enter negotiations. All of his covert
were rejected. .
He was born in 1856, and wa.
educated at the Pforta gymnasium
and at the universities of Strussburg
Leipsic and Berlin. Entering tn
Prussian administrative service il
Prshrd ga-tcecs-gp htardnnnni
1882, he rose to the president of th
province of Brandenburg in 1899. Ii
| 1905 he was appointed Prusian min
lister of the interior, and two year
later became imperial secretary o
the interior and vice president of th'
Prussian ministry Of state. He sue
ceeded Prince Won Bpe1ow when h
became imperial chancellor in 1909.