POLITICIAN OR PIRATE?

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 128, 31 May 1916, Page 2

POLITICIAN OR PIRATE?

VOX TITCPITZ'S CONFLICT WITH VON BETHMANN-HOLLWEG. The conflict between Dr von Beili-mann-Hollweg. the German Chancellor, and Grand Admiral von Tirpitz is becoming sharper every day. The two men themselves have taken no part in the quarrel, however, an J have indulged in no personal attacks on each oilier, the fight being confined .to their supporters in the Eeich-

stag. Partisians ' of von Tirpitz refuse to forgive the Chancellor and the Kaiser, who stands behind him, for having practically ejected the grand admiral from office, and, relying on the popularity of the ex-rulor of the navy, they ar e insisting that the whole naval situation shall be discussed in public at the first opportunity. The supporters of the Chancellor have no disinclination to discuss *he matter in public, and it Avas only the fear of the Socialists making use «>f 'the opportunity for exceptional freedom of speech that led Dr von Bethmann Hollweg to beg that the debate might be taken in private before the committee. I understand, however, that there is a possibility of a public debate shortly, when the National Liberals, the Catholics and, above all, the Conservatives,! will make a decisive effort t:> compel the Kaiser to relieve the Chancellor of his office. The duel between Dr von Beth-mann-Hollweg and von Tirpitz is a matter of open discussion in parliamentary circles in Berlin, where it is generally believed that while the Chancellor lias the Kaiser's support the possibility is great that puh.i opinion will be manifested in fav>.ir of von Tirpitz and his policy. In any case, the Kaiser will have to ch>>s"? between his personal friendship for the Chancellor and the desire of the people to see a new man at the heftn. There is a feeling in G/ermasy that some one ought to be blamed for the present stats of things, which is by no means satisfactory.