"We were severely handicapped by the war of [18]70-71 and by our geographical position. Since the coronation of Emperor [William II] we often did the opposite of that which would have lightened our burden. ... [But] surely imperialism would have triumphed even without our help, and it remains highly questionable if, even with the most reasonable policy, we could have prevented the natural French, Russian, and English opposition from uniting against us. We have become guilty but only universal and collective guilt has brought about the world catastrophe."
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Letter to Eisendecher (12 July 1919), quoted in Konrad H. Jarauschl, ‘The Illusion of Limited War: Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg's Calculated Risk, July 1914’, Central European History, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Mar., 1969), p. 53
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Theobald_von_Bethmann-Hollweg
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Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg
1856 – 1921
29 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg →
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