New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-11
GERMANYs DESIGNS ON US
As Explained by an Amiable Army
officer Seventeen Years Ago.
The Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Three months ago passing events
firmly convinced me that if Germany is vic.
torious over the Allies she will at once de-
mand of the United States a huge indemnity,
amounting to billions Of dollars, on account
Of our sales Of war supplies 10 the Allies
While this thought was daily revolving in
my mind I received a call from an army Of
ficer. an old friend whose blankets shared
in wild Western. camps more than thirty
wears ago. His veracity is as unimpesehable as
is that of DR.. Lyman Abbott. In discussing
the Spanish-American War and his advent
ures therein. by the merest chance he related
the following story Of Germany's intentions
toward the United States in September l's''
sixteen years previous to Germany's begin
ming of the present war. Count Won Ooe''
zen's calendar Of future events was remarAs'
bly, correct in at least one partlcu.ar-the ae'
scent upon France.
This is my friends story, precisely as ne
related it to me, and his word Is unImpeaea'
able:
AT the close of the Spanish-Ameriean war
| was returning on the Santee- thInS
was-from Santiago, Cuba, to MontauS folnr
The ship was carrying two troops Of the yin
Cavalry. some companies Of Michigan voun-
teers and three or four companies OF regu'
lar infantry. On board there was military
attache from Germany, Count Won Goetzeh'
personal friend Of the Kaiser. There was
also an attache from some South Amefi''"
country, possibly Argentina.
"Apropos of discussion between OOan'
Won Goetzen and myself on the friction Os'
tween Admiral Dewey and the German al,
miral at Manila, Won Goe.zen said TO me-
will tell you something which you pew,
make note Of. | am not afraid 70 tell 70.
this, because if you do speak OF II no ons
would believe you, and everybody VII! l"Ds"
at you.
"'About fifteen years from now my eoun'
try will start her great war. She VIII De TX
Paris in about two months after the COM
mencement of hostilities. Her move on Fa,'
will be but step to her real oojee'-'ns
crushing of England. Everything VIII move
like clockwork. We will be prepared 90
others will not be prepared. speak OF W..
because of the connection which 70 VIII "S''
with your own country -
"'Some months after we finish our W.
in Europe we will take New York, ana proOS.
bly, Washington, and hold them TOT SUE.
time. We will put your country IN rs pis.'
with reference to Germany. We 10 not pr
pose to take any of your territory ou' We :.
intend TO take billion or more dollars IT,
New York and other places. The Ao"'.s
Doctrine will be taken charge OF oy U.s.
we will then have put you IN your place o. -,
we will take charge of South America So
as we wish TO- have no hostility 'o"'.s
your country like IT,; bat We nave 70 >,
our own way. Don't forget this ana sv'
fifteen years from now remember u S"'
will interest you ~,s
Count Won Goetzen. it will be iouhu' ~.
a personal friend Of the Kaiser ana 80
ward was employed on an important in's' ~
i'm China. He died some months before
breaking out 'of this war, probably !
lie was married TO an American woman 40
And this is my prophecy: II CeI1, ,ss
wins over the Allies she will demand =. Ia.
United States a huge indemnity for our I,s sss
Of war materials to the Allies, and the O"''
States Of America will have 70 pay uo1,g
WILLIAM r. H0RNAD"''
New York, Aug. g. 1915.