INCOMPETENT DIPLOMACY

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14133, 9 August 1919, Page 7

INCOMPETENT DIPLOMACY

CAUSED AND LOST THE WAR.

DISCLOSURES BY ,VON TIRI*IZ

ANXIOUS FOR NAVAL BATTLE.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received August 9. 11.5 a.m Admiral Z\sA &«#*■ says that Germany entered the war r„ drifted into the warVough fiSSZ ten ?y m dipomaqy and thj wSSST and vacillation of Dr von twL Hollweg, and l&sMhe wa/for SfsTme reasons. Two things stand out in the memoirs-his hatred of England 0 and his hatred of von BethmanH HoilweT Bespite his hatred of England a feelhf c of admiration was shown when heaves the fullest credit to the British sea commanders. I n a letter to AdmiraWon Pohl, he says that the best chance to win a naval battle was within two or three weeks after the declaration of ShTI add^ thGt Germany's chaneS dwindled as the war progressed he! st increase of *s?* U The book is partly completed: but sales are being withheld for the time being. He says that the Kaiser, who personally dictated the general policy during the war, was responsible for the inactivity of the fleet. The Kaiser's characteristics are indecisiveness and unwillingness to take responsibilities. Von lirpitz says that he made a futile ettort to get the Kaiser to permit tnefleet to go-and do something. The submarine warfare was decided noon by Admiral von Pohl, Chief of the Admiralty, and Br. von Bethmann Hollweg without consulting von Tirpitz. Documentary proof is offered by von Tirpitz for the purpose of showing that he opposed the beginning of the U boat warfare, and also opposed the manner of proclaiming the plan. Von Tirpitz explains that he was ambitious to take command of the German fleet to go and meet the British.