TIRPITZ IN DEFENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14983, 9 August 1919, Page 3

TIRPITZ IN DEFENCE.

TRYING TO SHIFT BLAME ON TO

OTHERS

DENIES THAT HE' PRESSED FOR

SUBMARINE POLICY

Elec. Tel. Copyright— United Press As.n (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

NEW YORK, Aug. 8.. Von Tripitz, Minister of the Navy v i 914, m his memoirs, says he was noi consulted before Germany entered th( war. Germany drifted into the wa: uhrough incompetency, diplomacy, anc .veakness. The vacillation of Dr. Beth-nann-JloHweg lost the war for the sanu .easoiris. Two things stand out m thi memoirs — hatred of England and of Dr. Bethmann-Holhveg. Despite his ha^rec of England, a feeling of admiration i_ showii^ when he gives the fullest credit .o the 1 British sea commanders.

In a letter to Admiral Von Pohl, he «a,y«- his best chance to win a nava. battle was within two or three weeks itter the declaration of war. He added chat Germany's chances dwindled as the war progressed, because pf the increase m ske o» the British fleet.

LONDON, August 8. , Von TirpitzK book, is partly completed, but sales are being withhold for the cime being.

The memoirs say that the Kaiser personally dictated the general policy during tho war,. and was responsible for the inactivity of the fleet. The Kaiser's characteristics axe indecisiveneas and unwillingness to take responsibilities. Von Tirpitz made a- futiLe effort to get the Kaiser to order the fleet to go out and •lo something. . Submarine warfare was decided upon by Admiral Von Pohl, Chief of {he Admiralty, and Dr. Beth-marmi-Hollweg without consulting Von tirpitz. Documentary proof offered by Von Tirpitz for the purpose shows that he opposed the beginning of U-boat warfare, and also opposed the mannei of proclaiming the plan. Von .Tirpitv: expiaihs that he was ambitious to take command of the German fleet to go ano meet the British.