New-York tribune., 1921-01-03
lHollweg, War
Chancellor of
Germany, Dies
Kaiscr's Apologist Who Said
Belgian Treaty Was Scrap
of Paper Passes Away on
His Estate Close to Berlin
TIL Only a Brief Period
Persons Observing Leader
Who Realized American
Power Noticed HisDcclinc

BERIlN. Jan. 2.-Dr. Theobald Won
se,hmanu-Hollwcg. former German
mperisl Chancellor, died last night
after brief illness on his estate at
Hohenfiuow. near Berlin.
The doctor apparently was in good
health until Wednesday. He passed
Christmas with his family but con-
tracted q cold which developed into
came steadily worse and his private
musician was summoned from Berlin.
but the sufferer already had gone into
a stupor and never regained conscious
ness.
The funeral will be held Wednesday
at Hoheninow.
His wife died in 1914 and he lost his
Oldest son in the war He is survived
bv daughter, Countess Zech, wife of
the secretary OF the Prussian Legation
at Munich, and q son, Felix, a student
in Berlin.
On the last of his frequent visits to
Berlin. in mid-November, Dr. Won
Bcthmann- Hollweg was seen walking in
Inter den Linden, but the once stall
wart figure was no longer upright. Few
pedestrians recognized in the stopped
figure and careworn face the former
Chancellor.
Won Bethmann- Hollweg recently con-
cluded the revision of the final proofs
of his second volume of his war diary.
which is announced for early publica-
tior.
Among the latest prominent activi-
ties of Dr.. Won B athmann- Hollweg in
International affairs ard German ma
tional life was his testimony last year
before National Assembly committees
investigating responsibility for the
war. His testimony brought out that
ne had originally opposed the sub
marine warfare and had Issued warn
ings not to underestimate Americas
strength in the conflict.
He was the originator of the phrase
scrap OF paper" referring to the
trality. why should England go to
war over scrap OF paper" he asked
the British Ambassador in Berlin. He
also used the phrase, "necessity knows
no law when in explaining the situa-
tion in the Reichstag in August, 1914
he frankly admitted that Germanys
action in invading Belgium had been
morally and legally wrong, He justi-
fed il only on the grounds of "mili-
tary necessity"
Forced Frolo Office
"Our troops have occupied Luxem-
burg and perhaps have also found it
necessary to enter Belgian territory"
he said That is contrary to interna-
tiona law We know. however. that
France was ready to invade 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"
Chancellor OF Germany from July IA,
1909. to July II, 1917. He was sue
ceeded by DR. George Michaelis, an ap-
pointee Of the former Kaiser. 1t was
said that Won Bethmann-H ollweg was
forced out Of Office through the efforts
OF the militarists, headed by Hinden-
burg and Ludendorf. largely because of
the scrap OF paper" statement and his
admission that the German invasion of
Belgium was unjust. The former Chan
cellor had issued statements blaming
the militarists for the war. these ap
pearing in 1916 and 1917, while in the
two previous years he had declared fire.
quent.y that England alone was respon-
sible
Dr. Won Bethmann-H Hollweg received
attention throughout the world in
June, 1919, when he formally asked the
Allied and associated powers to place
him on trial, instead of the former
Kaiser. The Supreme Council decided
70 ignore his request. He was often
mentioned as among those who might
be tried by the Allies for political Of
lenses in connection with the war
His national activities before 1914
were marked by his strong opposition
70 the characterization of Germany. At
times he was outspoken in his defiance
Of socialism and he rejected any move
70 make himself and the other Ger
man minister's responsible to the
Reichstag. In the early stages Of the
war however, he became known as a
moderate. Late in 1919 reports from
Geneva said he was credited in diplo-
matte circles there as being at the bot
tom Of q monarchist movement in favor
o. both the Hohenzolerns and Hap.-
burgs. the nucleus of which was said
70 be under way in Switzerland
Peace FeeIers Vague
On several occasions DR.. Won Beth
nann-Holl"eg threw out peace feelers
particularly in 1915, when he invited
me Allies to enter into negotiations.
AL o. his overtures contained only the
vaguest Indications regarding the Ger
man attitude on peace settlement and
they we're rejected. 1t was following
tne failure of his peace efforts in De-
eemoer, 1915, that he indorsed unlimit-
ed submarine warfare
Dr Won Bethmann- Hollweg was born
IN 1916, the son of Matthias A. Won
6ethmann Hollweg, professor Of civil
law at Bonn and grandson of mem
Der Of the Jewish banking family Of
Von bethmann, Of Frankfort. He was
edVcated at the Pforta Gymnasium and
a. me universities of Strasburg, Leip-
&c and Berlin.
Entering the Pruaaian administrative
serv.ce in 1882, he rose to the position
Of p'esident Of the province Of Bran
denbEig in 1899. In 1905 he was ap-
pointed Prussian minister of the in
Nr4'r, and two years later became i'm
psFlal secretary Of the interior and
Tce president Of the Prussian ministry
o. s'ate, of which the chancellor was
pre- lie succeeded Prince Won
5sei9w Naen he became imperial chan
ee. a 1909.
ipAowipg his retirement from Office
DF. ton Betnmann- Hollwcg took up his