Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1917 — HOLLWEG SAYS U. S. IS TO BLAME [ARTICLE]

HOLLWEG SAYS U. S. IS TO BLAME

Kaiser Never Planned to Attack America ' h WILL FIGHT IF FORCED TO German Chancellor.. Tells the Keiclistag That the U-Boat Campaign Is Necessary for Their Defense. Berlin, March 30. —“Germany never* had the slightest intention of .attacking the United States of America, and does not have such intention now. Its never desired war against the United States of America, and does not desire it today,” was the declaration made by the German imperial chancellor, Dr. von Bethinann-Hollweg, in a speech in the reichstag. The chuucellor made important declarations concerning Germany’s policy toward the United States und Russia. “Bow did these things develop?” asked the chancellor In speaking of the relations with the United States. He then proceeded to answer the question by reviewing the cause which led up to the German use of .submarines In unrestricted warfare. Declares U. S. Responsible. Declaring that Germany had undertaken unrestricted submarine warfare* for its defense, Dr. von Bethmann-. Hollweg said: “If the American nation considers! this a cause for which to declare war against the German nation, with which it has lived In peace for more than one hundred years; if this action warrants an Increase of bloodshed, we shall not huve to bear the burden of responsibility. for it." Concerning German relations with the United States the chancellor, whose speech Is reported by the Overseas News agency, said: “Within the next few days the directors of the American nation will bo convened by President Wilson for an extraordinary session of congress in order to decide the question of war or pence between the American and Germah nations.

Never Intended to Attack. “Germany never had the slightest intention of attacking the United States of America, and does not have such intention now. It never desired war against the United States of America, and does not desire it today. “How did these tilings develop? More than once we told the United States that we made unrestricted use of the submarine weapon, expecting that England could be made to observe in her policy of blockade the laws of humanity and international agreements. “This blockade policy—this I expressly recall—-has been called ‘illegal and indefensible’ (the imperial chancellor here used the English words) by President Wilson and Secretary of State Lansing.“Our expectations, which we maintained during eight months, have been disappointed completely; England not only did not give up her illegal and Indefensible policy of blockade, but uninterruptedly Intensified it. “England, together with her allies, arrogantly rejected the peace offers made by us ans? our allies and proclaimed her war aims, which aim at our annihilation and that of our allies.

“Then we took unrestricted submarine warfare into our hands; we had to for our defense. "If the American nation considers this a cause for which to declare war against the German nation, with which It has lived in peace for more than one hundred years; if this action warrants an increase of bloodshed, we shall not have to bear the responsibility for It. “The German nation, which feels neither hatred nor hostility against the United States of America, shall also hear and overcome this/’ Denies Plan for “Czardom." 7- Dealing with Russia, the imperial chancellor said that the Russian emperior had not listened to the German emperor's advice no longer to oppose the justified wishes of his nation for reforms. * " . Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg emphatically denied that the German emperor or Germany was desirous of restoring “czardom.” “Had Russia’s attention beep concentrated on internal reconstruction,” said the chancellor, “there would have been no room for the restless policy of expansion which finally led to this war.” China Also Coerced. With reference to Chinese relations the chancellor said : “Our relations with China had always been of the most friendly nature, and if these relations have actually been terminated by the Chinese government, I need not tell yon that this

is not by the free resolve of the Chinese government, but that it luts acted under pressure of our enemies, ‘•The result of live war —as I confidently hope— will give us the opportunity to rebuild what lias bt'en destroy eil. and to rebuild it at the expense of our enemias.” Adopt Emergency Eudget. London, March 30.—Renter’s Amsterdam correspondent, quoting Berlin advices, says the reiehstag has adopted all three readings of the emergency budget.. Both Socialist par-"’tJpsrwetTui-i^aiwsg_thii,,liir:i sure. .. _,. ' “Eduard. Bernsti in, Socialist,” said the advices, “delivered a speech justifying his opposition to the budget. He said experience had strengthened ins, distrust in the goiernmeut. “America was convert ei) into an enemy by neutrals lilted with displeasure toward Germany. A good and sincere pe:e-e -e striven for at the speediest m meat. "Her Bernstein added that the events in Rus-ia under the leadership of the Socialists strengthened the confidence that the social democracy was able to fulfill its old peaceful program.” Dr. Peter Spahn, leader of the Catholic center party, denied that live rejPhstag, as charged by the Prussian herrenhaus, had meddled with things reserved for the emperor and the bundesrailL lie added: “If Aim-Viva comes to war with Germany we have confidence in the ability of the leaders in the army and navy to settle with her.