Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-30
UNNECESSARY WAR"
FORCED ON GERMANY,
SAYS CROWN PRINCE
Kaiser's Heir Tells Core
spondent Fatherland Was
Compelled to Fight for
Her National Existence.
tcopyrlsht. 1914. by Evnmso I.sDasnl

CROWN PRINCE IN FRANCE, Nov 80
Undoubtedly this is the most stupid
senseless and unnecessary war of modern
times II is a war not wanted by Ger
many, 1 can assure you, but Il was forced
on -us, and the fact that we were so
sffectually prepared to defend ourselves
Is now being used as an argument to
convince the world that we desired con-
nict."
In the above words Frederick Wilhelm,
Crown Prince of Germany and heir to the
throne OF the Kaiser, prefaced the first
direct statement made to the press by
any member OF the German royal family
aimee the outbreak of the war.
1 arrived at the headquarters Of the 5th
German army shortly before midnight
= At daybreak received a call from. Major
ElderNyon Der Planitz, personal aide-de-
camp b. the Crown Prince, who stated
threhfs Imperial Highness wanted to well
come me- but that he was leaving for the
tiring line and would see me little later
in the day.
When, some time later, the Grown
Prince returned. 1 was presented He
greeted me cordially.
NATION LEFT NO CHOICE.
II am a soldier and, therefore, cannot
discuss politics." said the Crown Prince.
''but 1t seems to me that this whole
business, all Of this action that you see
around here. is senseless, unnecessary
: and uncalled for. But Germany was left
no choice in the matter. From the lowest
TO the highest we all know that we are
fighting for our existence 1 know that
soldiers of the other nations probably
say. and a great many of them probably
think, the same thing. This does not
alter the fact, however, that we are
actually fighting for our national life.
'Since we knew that the present war
waa to be forced on us 1t became our
highest duty to anticipate the struggle
by every necessary and possible prepara-
tion for the defense of the Fatherland
against the iron ring which our enemies
have for years been carefully and stead
fly welding about us. The fact that we
foresaw, and so far as possible fore
stalled the attempt to crush us within
this ring and that we were prepared to
defend ourselves is now being used as
au argument in an attempt to convince
the world that we not only wanted this
conflict, but that we are responsible for
II.
GERMAN PEOPLE A UNIT.
mo power on earth will ever be able
20 convince our people that this war was
not engineered solely and wholly with a
view to crushing the German people,
their Government their institutions and
all that they hold dear. AS a result, you
will find the German people are one
grand unit, imbued with a magnificent
spirit of self-sacrifice."
The scene OF our conversation was the
drawing room of q small French villa,
located a few miles directly back of the
German fighting line and used by the
Crown Prince as a headquarters for him
self and stan. The young commander of
the German forces was simply dressed In
the gray-green khaki of his troops, in
a uniform devoid of any decorations save
~ very small insignia of his rank as lieu
bnant general and his recently acquired
black and white ribbon of the order of
fhe Iron Cross. He carried no sword, but
Dyed with a short swagger stick similar
IS those carried by English cavalry ofi-
fers.
Our conversation had been in progress
put a short time when It became clear to
me that the Crown Prince like 90 per
{ cent of the Germans 1 have met on the
firing line and off of It, 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 to-
ward the English which I have seen
manifest so constantly among people of
all walks of life since the outbreak of
the war On the contrary. there was a
note of regret and almost one of sadness
as he discussed this phase OF the great
issue.
PRAISE FOR ENEMY.
I quickly gained the impression that the
Grown Prince is by no means the man
ne has been pictured in England and
America. There is nothing OF the fire.
eater or uncompromlsing warrior about
him. He gave no evidence OF gaining
pleasure from his military experience or
OF aelighting in the conflict He was ex-
eeedingiy generous at all times in his
praise OF the enemy as he had como in
contact with them.
Early in the conversation the Crown
Prince assumed the role OF the Inter-
viewer and made evident his deep in
terest In the sentiment OF America and
Americans and his lack OF understanding
of the general attitude Of our country
toward Germany's position. Like a great
majority OF all Germans he Is unable
exactly to understand why there is not
more sympathy in the United States for
Germany,
AMERICAN ATTITUDE PUzzLING.
There is no use nor purpose to be
served by our closing our eyes," he said,
''to the fact that very large part OF |
the world is against us. But It surprises
me that America. to which We are
bound by ties OF friendship and blood
as 10 no other neutral country; America,
where millions Of our people have gone
and carried the German tongue and Ger
man ideas OF liberty and freedom, should |
be 80 totally unable to put themselves |
in spur place. I would not be frank un- |
less admitted that II has been a sur |
prise to me that Americans have not
seen more clearly. up to this time, the |
position OF Germany, entirely surrounded |
BY Jealous enemies, hghting for her ex-
tstence; that they have not had a better /
understanding, which would necessarily /
mean higher appreciation OF the unax- /
am,led sacrifices and heroism Of our /
pee Ie, making this gigantic struggle /
with no other objective than the saving
of the Fatherland."
He attributed the attitude OF America
almost wholly 10 England's control OF /
tha press and the worlds channels OF
communication. He frankly admitted
that IN the past Germany has failed 10 /
appreciate the important role played by
the press In world politics and In inter-
national affairs. He made It clear that
Germany has learned a lesson IN tha
respect ana learned II At the price Of be-
ing branded In the eyes OF the neutral
nations as a military menace to the
worlds peace.
WOMEN DOCTORS AT FRONT
PARIS Nov "A ,,tr,b., - ,., /