The German Foreign Secretary, Count Brockdorff-Rantzau, who is a eousin
of Count Bernstorff and a typical member of the old Prussian ruling caste, replied at length to M. Clemenceau. He admitted that Germany was broken, but he refused to admit that Germany was solely responsible for the war. The Imperialism of all European States had, he said, " chronically poisoned the international situation." He revived the old fable about the Russian mobilization being the immediate cause of the war. He was ready, he said, to confess that Germany had wronged Belgium, but not that Germany alone had conducted war in a foul manner. He asked for a neutral inquiry into war crimes. He appealed to the " Fourteen Points " for a " peace of justice." He professed Germany's readiness to help in reconstructing Belgium and Northern France. It was not to the interest of Europe to impose excessive burdens on Germany, who must, he said, be admitted to " a free and rising League of Nations." He hoped that the draft Treaty might prove to be acceptable. Germany was ready to take up her "heavy lot" if peace was established on a firm basis
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