HOW AMERICA CAME IN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 71, 17 December 1919, Page 7

HOW AMERICA CAME IN

GERMAN PEACE. TERMS IN JANUARY 1917 . ■ Count Bernstorfr, the 'at® German Ambassador to the United States, lias recounted to (he Reichstag Committee of In(|uiry (he circumstances of America's entry into the war from tlie German point of view. According to the German official re--iiort transmitted by wireless niter the President's message to the. Semite on January 22. 1917, the Count was infonnr.il bv Colonel House that, in Mr. Wilson's opinion a statement by Germanv of her peace conditions was essential. Otherwise she could not be rcrarded as honest, ■ As early, however, as .January 16 Count Bcri.slorfi . had 'wived an official confidential report that unrestricted "1'"-bnat warfare had been decided upon. and i.o Ms instructed lo hand in a Nolo to that effect-, to the United States Government on January 31. Tie thereunon cabled to Berlin a report of these negotiations, pointing out that if "tJ"boal warfare were commenced President Wilson would regard it as a slap in the face, that war with America would become inevitable.

The German peace terms handed to President. Wilson, on January 30 (which formed the basis of Germany's peace offer of December-12. 1916) were-as follow:

Restitution of that part of I'ppcr Alsace which-was occupied by France.

Securing of such a frontier with Russia as would be favourable to Germany and Poland from an economic as well as a strategic point of view.

Colonial compensation, by agreement, such as would secure to Germany colonial nossessions corresponding to the size of Germany's population and her economic interests.

Return to 'France of the French districts occupied by Germany, under the reservation of economic and strategic frontier adjustments, as well as financial comnensation. .

. Restoration of Belgium . under certain guarantees for. the safety of Germany, lo be fixed bv negotiations with the Belgian Government.

Economic, and financial settlement on the basis of an exchange of territories conquered by both sides.

Indemnification for German enterprises and private persons who suffered damages through the war.

Renunciation of all economic treaties and measures which would form an obstacle to normal trade and traffic after the war, and the signing of corresponding commercial freaiies. 1

Securing the freedom of ilie seas. A Nolo accompanied llie terms slating that had President Wilson's offer arrived a few days earlier Germany would have been able lo postponed the commence, ment of "U"-boat warfare, but that it was then too late, fur technical reasons, seeing that the "C'-boats had already 11 -11 their base with hew instructions; bill thai 'Germany was prepared to consider America's- •reciuirements, and desired llie I're.-ident to coiilinuc his peace eH'orl". .11 wa« furl her pointed out that M) long ias enemy state-men adhered lo I heir peace aim-. a« disclosed by their speei-hi--, Ihe publication of ihese German peace terms would li« regarded as h sign of wcal;ue.-s. The>e term:, were, lliei-efore, lo be eaiuiniiuicaled to President Wilson personally and in strict confidence.

On January ol I'olonet House being convinced that a rupture -vas inevitable, at 10 a.m. Count • Hcrnslorlf gave the older for I lie desl ruction of German merchant ships. Later in the day he delivered the "U"-boat Note, and at 7 p.lll. the German tdiipt were already occupied by the American pulic'e.

Afler his return tu Germany <'011111 HernsturlV saw General i.iulendorlf. who saiii: "Villi -ecmcd to iiave .nougat Glut we were at the end of our le-.-nireos. anil you llierel'oro wanted to make peace in America." I replied: "No; I wanted i make peace before we were at Hie end." Thereupon General Ludcudorl'i' remarked: "IVe will iniw finish Hie war within three iikuil'k 1 liave reliable iinoniulic. Ilinl 111111 ''',1111111 !'.r!:| ,»nI any innger I"; I'v -!i-rtaiie of ''nod."

t,'milit I'/M'iiste!';! tiiiui:;iil. thai' he \ :e.; deliberately held up .it Halifax to prevent his arriving in Germany before a final and ireparable rupture with the United JjUUea.