File No. 862.00/111
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Langhorne) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 20, 7.20 a.m.]
1092. Following is summary of Chancellor’s speech before Reichstag to-day as reported in Wolff1 telegram from Berlin just received at Amsterdam:
Chancellor, after referring to seriousness of times and magnitude of burden which has been placed upon him, solicits cooperation of Reichstag and intimates that it would have been more dignified if enmity and hatred connected with criticism of the man of high merit who preceded him had not been publicly manifested. He states he would not have accepted office if he had not believed in justice of the cause and reviews incidents which he declares forced Germany into war. Russia’s armaments and secret mobilization were grave peril to Germany and to take part in conference at that time would have been political suicide. Although English statesmen knew that this mobilization must lead to war with Germany they sent no warning to Russia while German Chancellor on July 29, 1914, informed German Ambassador, Vienna, that Germany would not allow herself to be drawn into world war as result of Austria refusing to follow Germany’s advice thus showing that Germany struggled for peace. Germany rejects accusation that U-boat war is contrary to international law and rights of humanity and states that English war of starvation placed weapon in Germany’s hand. Slight hopes that America, at head of neutrals, would oppose illegal acts of British were vain and rejection of Germany’s sincere peace offer forced U-boat war as a counter-measure and as [Page 136] means of shortening war. U-boat war surpasses expectations. It injures England from economic and military point more and more so that their desire for peace cannot be counteracted much longer. He then pays tribute to Germany’s Army, Navy and allies and comments on failure of Franco-British offensive on west, and reads telegram from Hindenburg on to-day’s successes against Russians. Mentions that Greece was forced into war, failure of Italian offensive, also preparations to meet next season’s attacks in Caucasus, Irak, and Palestine. Hope among Allies as result of America’s participation need cause no grave anxiety, in considering amount of tonnage required to bring army to Europe together with supplies and equipment, which are necessary, as France and England can scarcely supply their own armies. Central powers can view future with security yet burning question is how long will war last. Germany did not want war or increase in power by force and therefore it will not carry on war a day longer merely for purpose of making conquests by force if an honorable peace is to be had. What Germans wish is to conclude a peace as men-who have successfully asserted themselves.
For the Department’s information:
As ordinary cablegrams from the Netherlands are subject to delay of 24 hours and as same situation may prevail in Denmark, representative Associated Press has stated that he would be glad if substance of this message could be communicated to Associated Press, New York.
- Wolff’s Telegraph Bureau.↩