WISDOM AFTER DEFEAJ

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 269, 9 August 1919, Page 7

WISDOM AFTER DEFEAJ

THE VON TIRPITZ MEMOIRS WHY GERMANY LOST THE WAR ......... •' Br TelezraDh—Press Aesociatiotf-Co'liyrlsW (Eec. August 9, 0.50 a.m.) ".New York, August 7. Von Tirpitz, in his memoirs, says that ho was not consulted before Germany entered into the war. Germany, drifted ■ into the war through the incompetency of her diplomacy and through weakness mid vacillation.' Von Bethmann-Holliveg, the ChancelloiVlost the war for the sama reason's. Two things stand out in the memoirs— hatred of England and -hatred of von. Betbmaim-Hollweg. In' spite of his hatred «jf England there is a feeling of admiration shown when von-Tirpitz gives the fullest credit to'jho British sea commanders. In aletter-to Admiral von Poll! ho-says that German's best chance to iwin. a. naval, battle was within two or ! three week's after the declaration of war. Ho added: "German's chances dwindled as. the war progressed, because of tho increase, in Iho size of tho British Fleet." Von Tirpitz's book is partly completed, huUihe sales are being withheld.for the timo being. The memoirs say that-tha Kaiser personally dictated tho general policy during the war, and was respon* nible' for the inactivity of the fleet. The Kaiser's characteristics were indecisivencss. (and unwillingness to lake response bilities. Von Tirpitz made a futile effort to cet the Kaiser to permit the fleet to go and do something. Submarine warfare was decided upon by von'l'obl, Chief of the' Admiralty, and von BetlunannHollweg,' without consulting him (von Tirpitz). Documentary proof is offered bv"von'Tirp'ili on-purpose fo show that ho opposed the beginning of the U-'boat warfare, and also opposed the manner of proclaiming the plan. He explains that ne was ambitious to take-command of vlie German T'leet and go and meet .the British.-Aus.-X./,. Cable Assn.