Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1916, Supplement, The World War

File No. 763.72/2396

Extracts from an interview with the German Chancellor ( Bethmann-Hollweg ) by Karl H. von Wiegand, published in the New York “World,” February 9, 1916

Berlin, February 8, 1916

Berlin, February 8. “What your Government asks is an impossible humiliation. I have gone far to maintain those cordially friendly relations with America which have existed between your country and Germany since the day when, more than 125 years ago, Prussia was the first nation to recognize America’s independence in her war with England.

“You know that in this entire question I have shown a fair and conciliatory spirit toward your country and people. I have been and am willing to concede to America everything that Germany can concede within reason and fairness, within the principles of justice and honor.

“But I cannot concede a humiliation of Germany and the German people, or the wrenching of the submarine weapon from our hands, even to placate America and to insure the continuance of those cordial relations with your country which every true German values and sincerely desires, except at the price of national humiliation.

“It is not with a light heart that I tell you this, but in doing so I am conscious of the fact that I am voicing the sentiment of the united German peoples.”

Thus spoke the Imperial Chancellor, Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg, to me upon my return from America. . . .

“We are battling for our very existence,” said he. “The German people, in marvellous solidarity and unity and heroism, in unparalleled sacrifices, are giving their blood and treasures for their country. We are not at war with America, we do not want to be. Certainly no one can credit us with such madness.

“I have done and shall continue to do everything within my power to avoid it, but there are some things I cannot do. If that same spirit of upright sincerity in desire to reach an agreement with honor to both nations prevails in America that exists in the German Government and people, then there will be no break in the century and a quarter of friendly relations between the two countries.”

Statement given to the press by the Secretary of State, February 10, 1916

When Secretary Lansing’s attention was called to the interview purporting to have been given by the German Chancellor to Mr. von Wiegand, which appeared in Wednesday’s papers, he said that while he disliked to comment on press reports of this sort, its authoritative character seemed to require it in order that a wrong impression might be removed. He went on to say that he was at loss to understand what the Chancellor meant by the requirements of this Government being an “impossible humiliation.” He said that nothing had been asked of Germany which was not reasonable and fair, and with which a nation could not comply without doing violence to its honor and dignity; that this Government’s demands had not been increased since they were made in May last; that it had sought in every way, in the controversy, to show greatest consideration to the German Government and people, and though its efforts to this end have apparently been misinterpreted, it would continue to do so in order that this unfortunate dispute may, if possible, be honorably arranged out of a sincere wish to maintain the traditional friendly relations between the United States and Germany.

The Secretary added that reports of this sort coming at this critical time in the negotiations made the task more difficult, as they gave an impression that the German Government was attempting to force the issue rather than to avoid it.