The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-08-20
DECLARES KAISER
WAS UNPREPARED
FOR H0STlLITlES

London, Aug. 1S.-That Germany did
not want war and was not prepared for
II, and that Kaiser William was forced
into 1t by the blunders of Austria be-
fore he really knew what was going on,
Is the explicit and definite story
brought here today by Robert Crozier
Long. newspaper correspondent and
military expert, who has just returned
from Berlin.
Mr.. Long says he speaks from first
hand information and that Kaiser
William even went so far as to threat
agreement of the triple alliance and
leave her alone to fight Russia, Servia
and the whole Slavic people. Mr..
Longs statement is: .e
During the war crisis was received
by Foreign Minister Jagow. by Assist
ant Minister Zimmerman, by Baron
Stumm, chief OF the English depart
ment OF the foreign office in Berlin.
ALSO had long talks with Russian
Ambassador Swerbenmeff. ] was
shown by Bethmann- Hollweg a copy
Of Germany's threat to Austria to tear
up the triple alliance, during the ne
gotiations with Russia after Russia's
partial mobilization
Kaiser William did everything he
could for peace despite protests. Gen
eral Moltke, the chief of staff, delayed
the, mobilization decree.
The causes, OF the war, apart from
traditional race hatred and remote his
torical grounds. were two, for neither
Of which was Kaiser William guilty.
"The first cause was the incredible
folly OF Austrian Foreign Minister
Count Berchtold in refusing to nego-
tiate with Russia direct after July 20.
After Russia had modified the dis
tricts Of Kieff. Odessa, Moscow and
Kazan. all four districts modified
against Austria ID.
Warning TO Austria. -
"Bethmann- Hollweg, in his zeal for
peace, practically issued an ultimatum
to Austria. He ordered her, in, imper-
alive language. to resume negotiations,
declaring that otherwise Germany
would desert her Berchtold climbed
down and started direct negotiations
with St Petersburg, but the mischief
was done Russia had then modified
all her army ignored the kaiser's
warning. and compelled Germany and
Austria to mobilize also. ..
Germany claims that Russia, and
France began the actual fighting. RUS
STA by attacking n German patrol at
Postken, August /, and France by
dropping bombs from aeroplanes near
NurembuvR. August 2. ~ nv. -. ~
Tn this war. beyond doubt, all
bloodguiltiness lies on two powers. On
Austria for her undue harshness 70
Servia, also for Berchtold's pigheaded
obstinacy and pedantry on the Russian
side for dishonesty in secretly mobil-
ling her full army at the moment
when Car Nicholas was imploring the
kaiser ito intervene for peace, and
when the kaiser was working with
good prospects Of success.
Germany Not Ready for War.
II was told that the kaiser was even
more angry with Austria than with
Russia. see proof of Germany's pa
IN. tint a., tn fon N a In
finds Germany in a difficult military
position, her fleet dispersed, her allies
troops caught in the Servia mouse
trap. ........
This alone proves that Kaiser Will
liam and the. German military party did
not want war. ,@% -'at J.
II must say a word regarding Am
bassador Gerard, who has won the adj
miration OF all English speaking people
in Berlin, The United States embassy,
T, nearly opposite Bethmann- Hollweg's
( palace, Is thronged with hundreds OF
American and English refugees, to
q whom Gerard was a providence. Tues
day, the daysof the declaration of war,
more than 1900 went to him for advice.
He personally saw most everyone. He
quickly organized plan to help.
gratit reuia 81 the has hei ii f British
Wednesday nearly 200 Englishmen
were arrested as being Of military
service age and potential. enemies.
High Praise for Gerard. F
Gerard obtained the release OF all
as well as the English newspaper corr
respondents. The last / saw of him
was when he was starting for the for
eign office TO secure the release Of 40
young Enghshmen taken to Standau
fortress. He said tome:
Tel everyone there's no need to
worry about the security of Americans
in Berlin Many will suffer discomfort
and maybe priVation unless financial
aid Is sent Immediately. call on a
generous American public to respond.
Just before leaving Berlin talked
to prominent German diplomatic Of
fetal. who said: a
wrong with him Is he isn't German
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