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Show IBEHNSTDRFF M I STAND II BERLIN German Committee Probing; War Acts of Officials Holds First Meeting. BLI:LIX. Oi't. . iu A-,-.,- 'i.'it-l IT.--TiKJ . '.Jt:i,,;; - v. is1 to j nvi'-t ; a; e tin- r . - , r ; . il.iiit-,- i,: - a-' riou.s ilerir.jin ortjii;.- i.-iiir.:- i,n the r. ln'M is f-r-i u.lnr. I ''.:;li '.iii. I .1'ihar.ji vnn ll r".;' J 7 j--:'-r f.'r'j.:;ii :i r 1 1 J - -:t I . r 1'. r u,' d St:;1 ".-. a - i In- .r;iM-i ;..i I v.- Ii p . ' ii" I -n-: n;f f rei:i;..i t." llii ff ". t i- tin' ' in : : i - -i : ', I- i.r l tin' fr"i'i M'fi. i,; It.- -,1'iit V .if,., ;n eri'i tlie 'va r. L':'.'i'iLr '.In '..''''. On-' int'- ' n, i. ' i'i!K I 7.'.'i .V '.ii' - . i :i i ; . ,i . ' ;, i- (Coiitinucd on Page 5 2, Coluiun :j. I I note disclaimed responsibility "before humanity hu-manity and history" if the entente allies declined to accept the proffer. The note to the Vatican, in which was inclosed a copy of the communication sent to the neutral powers by the Teutonic allies, asserted that Germany was carrying carry-ing on a war of defense against her enemies, ene-mies, but that, "certain of our own strength, but realizing Europe's sad future fu-ture if the war continued," Germany was ready to give peace to the world by setting set-ting before the whole world the question whether or not it was possible to find the basis for an understanding. LONDON, Oct. 21. A wireless dispatch received from Berlin says the commission investigating the question of those guilty of having brought on the war has appointed ap-pointed a subcommittee to ascertain the possibilities of peace having been brought about, especially President Wilson's efforts, ef-forts, and the reasons for their failure. The committee includes representatives of all parties. Deputy Sinzhemer, reporter for the commission, said that all secret documents docu-ments from the foreign office had been placed at the disposal of the subcommittee subcommit-tee and that the documents of the admiralty ad-miralty and the war office general staff would be produced later. BERNSTOFSFF 01 STB II BERLIN (Continued From Page One.) other September of the same year, to which, Von Bernstorff said, the entente apparently did not reply. The former ambassador said President Presi-dent Wilson held tho opinion that the United States was the only power possessing sufficient influence to bring about a termination of the war. He referred to an important memorandum, memoran-dum, written personally by Emperor William, October 9, 1916, which at firrt it was intended to hand to James W. Gerard, the American ambassador in Berlin, but which finally was telegraphed tele-graphed to A'on Bernslorff for transmission trans-mission to Colonel E. M. House, President Presi-dent Wilson's confidential adviser. In this memorandum, Von Bernstorff said, the government asked President Wilson to expedite his peace proposals, in view of the fact that the methods of warfare were becoming increasingly severe in form. Von Bernstorff expressed the belief that the German government did not desire President Wilson to interfere in territorial problems, but wished him to favor the idea of a conference of all the states of the world for the discussion discus-sion of the problems of a ieague of nations, na-tions, the freedom of the seas, international interna-tional courts of arbitration and thb like. Count von Bernstorff told the commission com-mission that the German offer of December De-cember 12, 191G, seriously interfered with President Wilson's peace plans, which then were ripening, and that the German proposal not only handicapped President Wilson in public opinion at home, but prompted the entente powers pow-ers to construe Berlin's move as a sifin of weakening and induced them to turn a deaf car to President Wilson. In summing up h:s Horning testimony. Count von I-Vrnstcrif m:iIe the positive declaration that Presidont Wilson was ready to undertake a definite peace action," ac-tion," even in the face of the absence of concrete propositions from Berlin; t'nat ha purposed negotiating a temporary peace which would not touch upon territorial terri-torial issues, leaving the adjustment of all major problems to the ultimate disposition dispo-sition of the main peace conferences. Count von Bernstorff entered into minute details of alleged conversations with Colonel House, with whom he conferred con-ferred chiefly at Colonel House's New York residence. Washington was too public pub-lic for confidential negotiations, ohiefiy. Von Bernstorff said, because of the newspaper news-paper men who, despite secretiveness. scattered news Inimical to progress of negotiations. Von Bernstorff was frequently interrupted inter-rupted by members of the commission of three experts, who asked for elucidation or confirmation of the official documents which were Introduced by Von Hernstorrf "When Colonel House returned in li'lC from a second visit to Europe," said Von Bernstorff. "he told me the chief obstacle ob-stacle to peace then was Paris; that T.,un-don T.,un-don showed a certain inclination to entertain enter-tain tho proposal and Berlin also assented." as-sented." Colonel House told Von Fernstorff. according ac-cording to tiie witness, that President V.'IKon no longer was nbie to foree Great Britain to observe international law, but, uh American commerce was so intimately associated with that of Great Britain, the president coul not possibly .dis- turb the relations without creating a storm of protest. Colonel Horse then intirnrrterl, the witness wit-ness continue!, that President "Wilson, on the other hand, wis in a position to MOfTOtiat-e peace without victory, and pio-,.o.'-'d to-do so as scon as the situation was favorable. Iimvuver, in view of the fact that such action would he interpreted as pro-German, the president thought best to defer it until the sentiment against Germany had somewhat subsided. Tiie witness added that tiie president sii'jTKcsted a pause: and hoped to resume his " efforts i;ite in the summer. 'WlH-n Rumania entered the war he made further fur-ther attempts, but at that time they were hopeless, as the '"iK-nte believed it whs sure of victory through the addition of its eastern ally. The com munlcat inns of December 12, IHI'j. referred to by Count von Bernstorff, Bern-storff, were notes addrosse 1 by Germany and her allies to neutral powers for transmission trans-mission to the entente and a communication communi-cation sent to Cardinal Gasparri. papal secretary of slate. Tho note to tiie neutral neu-tral puwvrs expressed the desire of Germany Ger-many and her allies "to avoid further hluodshed and make an end to the atrocities atroci-ties of war," and proposed to eiur forthwith into peace negotiations. This |