The Detroit times., 1914-11-30

.ubcu ny the CiOWu prince 40 - hNoN
quarters for himself and stan. The
crown prince entered, accompanied By
Major Won der Planitz, who, after
presenting me, withdrew. The young
: commander OF the German forces was
dressed simply I'm the grey-green
khaki OF his troops I'm a uniform de-
void OF any decorations save a very
small insignia OF his rank as lieu
tenantgeneral, and his recently ac-
CURED black and white ribbon OF the
Order of the Iron Cross. He carried
no word, but toyed with short
swagger stick similar 10 those car
ried by English cavalry officers.
Our conversation had been in
progress but short time when II
became clear 10 me that the crown
prince, like 90 per cent OF the Ger
mans have met on the firing line and
of OF II. holds England responsible
for the present war The thing that
impressed me most. however, was the
fact that despite the intensity OF his
convictions he displayed none OF the
intense hatred or the bitterness
toward the English which have seen
manifest as constantly among people
OF all walks OF life since the out
break OF the war. On the contrary,
there was note OF regret and almost
one OF sadness as he discussed this
phase OF the great issue.
| quickly gained the impression that
the crown prince is by no means the
man he has been pictured In Eng
land and America. There Is nothing
OF the flre-eater. or Incorporating
warrior about him. He gave no evil
dence OF gaining pleasure from his
military experience or OF delighting In
the conflict. II was obvious that the
carnage he has ALREADY witnessed has
made a deep imprint upon his nat
urally impressionistic mind, and he
referred frequently to the losses or
the suffering, not only OF his own, but
OF the enemy's forces. He was ex-
lceedingly generous at all times in his
praise OF the enemy as he had come
In contact with them. II he was ever
possessed OF q reckless, daredevil
care-free personality, the last traces
OF IT have apparently been removed
by his work of the past few months.
| Early in the conversation. his I'M
perial highness assumed the role CT
the interviewer and made evident his
deep interest In the sentiment or
America and Americans and his lack
OF understanding of the general at
titude Of our country toward Ger
many's position. Like a great major
| ity of all Germans he is unable OK
actly to understand why there Is not
more sympathy in the United States
for Germany.
There is no use or no purpose to
be served by our closing our eyes,
he said, ito the fact that a very large
part of the world is against US. But
1t surprises me that America, TO
which we are bound by ties OF friend
ship and blood as TO no other neutral
country, America, where millions OF
our people have gone and carried the
German tongue and German ideas OF
liberty and freedom, should be SO
totally unable to put themselves n
our place. | would not be frank I'M
less | admitted that IL has been a
surprise to me that Americans have
not seen more clearly up TO this time
the position OF Germany, entirely sur
rounded by jealous enemies, fighting
for her existence; that they have not
mad a better understanding. which
would necessarily mean higher APP
probation OF the unexampled sacri-
fees and heroism OF our people. max
ing this gigantic struggle with no
other objective than the saving OF the
fatherlandP
He attributed the attitude OF Amer
lea almost wholly 10 England's con-
troll of the press and the worlds
channels Of communication. He
frankly admitted that In the past Ger
many has failed to appreciate the In
portant role played by the press In
world politics and In international af-
fairs. He made 1t clear that Germany
has learned lesson In this respect,
and learned II at the price of being
branded In the eyes OF the neutral
nations as military menace TO the
worlds peace.
II have faith in the sense OF JUS
tice Of the American people" said
his highness. once we can get TO
them the actual facts and the actual
truths back OF this conflict. | know
that up TO this time II has been i'm
possible for them to thoroughly I'M
derstand our situation, but ! believe
that when the truth Is known to
them the air-mindedness and the love
of fair play which has always char
acterized the acts Of your country
men will result In revulsion OF
sentiment In our favor.
II had many friends in America.
believe | still have some there. / also
have many friends In England-or
rather had" said the prince, with a
rather rueful smile and shake of
his head. Then, turning abruptly
and looking me squarely In the eye,
he said:
II want you to tell me exactly what
is said about me in America"
hesitated q moment, trying TO
figure Just how much frankness was
compatible with discretion In dis
cussing personalities with the crown
prince OF the German empire. Appar-
emily reading my thoughts. HIS high
ness laughed good naturally and
prompted:
81 like frankness and can stand the
truth. Go ahead. | really want to
know"
well" / replied, "the fact Is that
your imperial highness has been very
generally represented or misrepfe-
sented az one OF the kriegspetzer, a
war agitator. leader OF the war party
and exponent extraordinary OF mill
tarism."
yes, know" said the crown
prince. nodding his head IN assent,