The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-01-03

BERLIN. jail. A.--JI. 1ueODdiu v Oh
Bethmann- Hollweg. former German
imperial chancellor, died last night
after brief illness on his estate at
Hohenfino, near Berlin.
Among the latest prominent activi-
ties of DIR. Van Bethmann- Hollweg in
international affairs and German ma
tional life was his testimony last year
as a witness before national assem-
bly, committees investigating respon-
sibility for the war. His testimony
brought out that he had originally OPP
posed the submarine warfare and had
issued warnings not to underestimate
Americas strength in the conflict
One of his most famous utterances
during the war was that concerning
a scrap of paper" as he regarded the
treaty guaranteeing the neutrality Of
Belgium.
This treaty was so characterized by
Won Bethmann- Hollweg during an in
terview which the then chancellor had
with Sir Edward Goschen, the British
ambassador to Germany. Speaking
with great irritation, the chancellor
expressed his inability to understand
Great Britain's attitude with regard
to Germany's attack on Belgium.
81 found the chancellor very much
agitated," said Sir Edward after
wards, writing of the interview. His
eXcellency at once began a harangue
which lasted about 20 minutes. He
said the step taken by his majesty s
government was terrible to a degree
| Just for a word-'neutrality- word
which in war time has so often been
Observation-Disclosures for a scrap of paper
Great Britain was going to make
war on a kindred nation which desired
nothing more than to be friends with
her"
Sir Edward replied in effect that he
understood the chancellor's inability
to comprehend the British action, but
that Great Britain attached importance
to the scrap of paper because it bore
her signature, as well as that of Ger
many.
DIR. Won Bethmann- Hollweg was
the originator of the famous refer
ence to the treaty guaranteeing The
neutrality of Belgium as scrap of
paper" The reference was made in a
statement before the reichstag in Au-
gust, 1914, when he gave the German
viewpoint of the causes which led to
the war He frankly admitted in this
speech that Germans action in invad-
ing Belgium had been morally and le-
gally wrong He justified it only on
the grounds of military necessity,
"Our troops have occupied Luxem-
bourg and perhaps have also found it
necessary to enter Belgian territory
he said on Aug A, 1914. THAT is con-
| trary to international law. We know
however, that France was ready to in
wade Belgium. France could wait:
we could not; as France could invade
our lower Rhine flank, which would
| prove fatal.
so we were forced to disregard the
protests of the Luxembourg and Bel
| gian governments. We shall try to
make good the injustice we have COM
mitted as soon as our military goal
has been reached
| DR.. Won Bethmann- Hollweg was
chancellor of Germany from July IA,
! 1909 to July IA, 1917. He was sue
/ ceeded in the office by DR.. George
| Michaels, an appointee of the former
| kaiser. II was said that Won Beth
mann Hollweg was forced out of Of
/ fee through the efforts of the militdr-
lists, headed by Hindenburg and Lu-
dendorff, largely because of his scrap
/ of paper" statement and his admission
that the German invasion of Belgium
| was unjust The former chancellor
had on several occasions issued state
ments blaming the militarists for the
war. these appearing in 1916 ana 1917
while in the two years previous he
had frequently declared that England
alone was responsible.
| DR. Won Bethmann- Hollweg was
born in 1856, the son of Matthias a.
Won Bethmann-H ollweg, professor OF
civil law at Bonn, a grandson OF q
member Of the Jewish banking family
of Won Bethmann of Frankfort.
DIR. Van Bethmann- Hollweg was ap-
parently in good health until Wednes-
day. He spent Christmas, as usual
with his family. but contracted a cold