Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1921-01-05
WALIIALLA, s. g.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. ), 1921.
KAISER'S WAR CHANCELLOR
Is Dcad-Von IsethnmIin fIollweg's
Life Came to End Near Berlin.


mer German imperial chancellor, died
last night after Il brief illness on his
estate at Hohenfinow. near Berlin.
Active Before, During and After.
tiles of Dr. Won Bethmann Hollweg
in international life was his testi-
mony last year as witness before
National Assembly committees inves-
tigating responsibility for the war.
His testimony brought out that he
had originally opposed the subma-
rine warfare, and had issued warn
ings not to underestimate Americas
strength in the conflict.
One Of his most famous utterances
during the war was that concerning
scrap Of paper as 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. In
speaking he showed great irritation,
and the chancellor expressed his ina
bility to understand Great Britains S
attitude with regard to Germany's
attack on Belgium.
81 found the chancellor very much
agitated," said Sir Edward after
In ~ ftptor nf J,n ix,to
"flis excellency at once began
harangue which lasted about twenty
minutes. He said the step taken by
his majcsty's government was terri
BILE to a degree. Just for word
neutrality word which in war
time has so often been disregarded-
just for a scrap Of paper'-Great
Britain was going to make war on
kindred nation which desired moth
ing more than to be friendly with
her"
Sir Edward replied in effect that
he understood the chancellor's ina
bility to comprehend the British ac-
tion. but that Great Britain attached
more Importance to the "scrap Of pa
per- because it bore her signature,
as we'll as that Of Germany.
DR.. Won Bethman Hollweg was
the originator Of the famous refer
ence to the treaty guaranteeing the
neutrality OF Belgium as a "scrap of
paper" The reference was also made
by him in a statement before Reich
stag in August, 1914, when he gave
the German viewpoint of what causes
led to the war. He frankly admitted
in this same speech that Germany's
action in invading Belgium had been
morally and legally wrong He justi-
fed 1t only on the grounds Of Chilli
tary necessity"
Our troops have occupied Luxcm-
bourg and perhaps have also found
it necessary to enter Belgian terri
tory he said on Aug. 4. 1914. "That
is contrary to International law. We
know, however. that France was
ready to invade Belgium. France
NoNlu wait, We CoUlN uOl, as france
could invade our lower Rhine flank,
which would prove fatal. SO we were
forced to disregard the protests Of
the Luxembourg and Belgian gov
ernments. We shall try to make good
the injustice we have committed Is
soon az our military goal has been
reached"
DR.. Won Bcthmann II0llwcg was
chancellor OF Germany from July II.
1909, to July IA, 1917 He was sue
cecded in Office by DR.. George Mich
aelis. an appointee OF the former
kaiser 1t was said that Won Beth
mann IIollweg was forced out Of Of
4ice through the efforts OF the mill
tarists, headed by Hindenburg and
Ludendorff, 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 statements blaming tho milf
tarists for the war, these appearing
in 1916 and 1917, while in the two