The Detroit times., 1914-08-04
Kaiser Jnsttt,es Hrs
War Againsf Russia
Before the Reschsfag

/c/VI SSS ANCSNSSSS<6
BY KARL r. VON WIEGAND.
(HtGf Correspondent United PRESET
BERLIN, Aug. 4.--Kaiser Wilhelm
today told the reiehstag how he had
fought against war until Germany's
honor demanded that she strike
against Russian duplicity." He open
ed the session OF the German paria-
ment at o'clock. An extraordinary
departure WAS the, fact that the men,
bers met In the white room of the pal
ace instead Of In the reichstag build
ing.
The kaiser made speech standing
In front OF the throne. The members
had before them the white book"
containing every message exchanged
between Russia and Germany before
the declaration of war. The CORE
spondence showed that at the first
sign of Austria-Servian trouble Kaiser
Wilhelm communicated with Russia
Offering her services In an effort to
bring about an amicable adjustment OF
that dispute. II indicated that the
German war lord" did not move until
he was overwhelmingly convinced that
Russia was preparing to strike.
The white book" was read to the
assembled members OF the Reichstag
The correspondence detailed and
the events made public In the white
book. showed that up to the last Ger
many had England's participation In
attempts to bring ST. Petersburg and
Vienna in accord. The direct charge
was made that the Russian minister OF
war ''sneakingly. and by Implicitly" pre-
vented the elimination of these ef
forts.
One personal message from Kaiser
Wilhelm to Gar Nicholas called at
tention OF the Russian emperor to Aus
tria's repeated assurance that he
would not seek Servian territory and
merely sought punishment of those re-
spcnsible for the murder Of Archduke
Franz Ferdinand and his wife. II also
stated that no attempts had been made
to organize Germany's fighting units.
Other communications showed that
Czar Nicholas sought Germany's aid
&c keep peace between Servia and Aus
tria and that Germany accepted sew
eral suggestions looking to this end.
In the midst Of these negotiations,
however. Russia began mobilizing
troops, first against Austria and then
against Germany. The kaiser pointed
out In a message transmitted through
move menaced the peace OF the two
countries There was an evasive re-
ply. and that same day Germany was
completely disillusionized by receipt
OF the orders for fullest mobilization
In Russia.
or more than passing interest was
one personal telegram sent by the
kaiser to the car.
II direct your attention, I" II read,. to
my promise to my diving grandfather
always to foster the friendship OF Ger
many for Russia and urge you to recol-
lect how kept that promise during
the Asiatic war"
The corresr ondence also shed con-
siderable light IN the wonderful speed
with which Germany acted once the
kaiser was convinced OF Russia's
duplicity. On the day of the receipt
OF word from spies that Russia was
fully mobtlizjng. the kaiser transmit
ted a message from the war minister
solemnly assuring the Russian govern
ment that no reservist had been called
to the colors and that not evcn an ex-
TIRE horse had been requistioned for
Germany's army. II was hardly "a
hours later that Germany's fighting
forces began marching to their posts.
NEW YORK. Aug Merchant yes
sells leaving New York are hugging
the shore and taking every precaution
to keep In neutral waters. fearing that
with a declaration OF war by ENGLAND
a naval battle may be fought OF
Sandy Hook. Such q fight is possible
and might he fought three miles out
side the Hook without violating the
war rules OF the sea.
The line Kronprinz wilhelm was
heard ceiling the German cruiser Ores
den by wireless operators TODAY. The
Strassburg and Karlsruhe, German
warships, are also close by, Two mys-
terious cruisers have been seen by
steamers and though they were flying
mo flag, they are believed 70 be the
British ships Essex and Suffolk. The
French cruiser Condo has left Vera
Cruz, and II believed near the Amer
lean shore In the Atlantic. with dec
Iaration Of war bv England the Essex.
Suffolk and Condo might move for
ward to attack the German vessels.
PARIS. Aug. a--The German army
Of invasion. which crossed the from
tier from Metz at Mars Et Tour.
scene OF the battle OF vonville during
the Franco Prussisn war. was at
tackled by French troops today. Fight
ing IL reported IN progress between
skirmishing parties and a general en-
gagerhert II looked for
The German forces are said TO In
clude cavalry. infantry and artillery
and the ofYicjaIs Of the war once say
that they believe this IN the advance
guard Of the main German armv that
win try to take Paris. n had beer
expected that general invasion OF
the province OF Meurfhe fct Moselle
would be the first offensive move
ment undertaken and the reports
L = I.