MEMOIRS OF VON TIRPITZ.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17234, 9 August 1919, Page 9

MEMOIRS OF VON TIRPITZ.

BOOK ABOUT WAft PERIOD.

ROLE OF THE EX-KAISER.

HATRED SHOWN TO BRITAIN. By Telegraph— Association—Copyrißht.

(Received 12.40 a.m.)

A. and N.Z. NEW YORK, Aug. 5 (delayed).

The Berlin correspondent of the New York Evening Sun has cabled the outstanding features of a book by Von Tirpitz. , The volume is partly completed, but the sale of the book is being withheld for the time being. The memoirs say ; that the ex-Kaiser personally dictated .the general policy during the war. He was responsible for the inactivity of the fleet. ' The ex-Kaiser's characteristics are indecision and unwillingness to take responsibilities. Von Tirpitz made a futile effort to induce the ex-Kaiser to permit the fleet to go and do something. The submarine warfare was decided upon by Von Pohl, Chief of the Admiralty Staff, and Von Bethmann-Hollweg, the then Chancellor, without consulting Von Tirpitz. Documentary proof is offered by Von Tirpitz to show that he opposed the beginning of the submarine warfare, and also opposed the manner of proclaiming the plan. Von Tirpitz explains that he was ambitious to take command of the German Fleet and go to meet the British.

Von Tirpitz says he was not consulted before Germany entered the war. Germany drifted into the war through the incompetency of her diplomacy and the weakness and vacillation of Bethmann-Hollweg. She lost the war for the same reasons.

• Two things stand out in the memoirs, hatred of Britain and hatred of Bethmann-Hollweg. Despite his hatred for Britain, a feeling of admiration is shown when he gives the fullest credit to the British sea commanders. In a letter to Von Pohl he says the best chance to win a naval battle was within two or three weeks after the declaration of war, and adds that Germany's chances dwindled as the war progressed, because of the increase in the size of the British Fleet.