The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-22
ON To TRENCHES!
Captain Won Papen, Recalled
Attaehe, Leaves America.
Issues Long Friendly Statement
Before Departure.
He CLaI1gS A CLEAN RECORD
Asserts Z. S. VIII Not Know
Facts Until After War.
Slaps Fervent Desire to Bring
on War With Germany.

New York, Dec. 22-Ca plain Franz
Won Papen. Germany's recalled mill
airy attache. left New york for Rot
erdam today OF the steamship Moor
am, bearing a safe conduct to Ger
many from the entente allies. De-
parting, he issued this final statement
o the American people:
I'm leaving this country where. 1
ave received so many proofs of kind
ess and hospitality from Americans
md others, I deem it my duty to thank
II those who did not permit their
friendly personal feelings to be poi
5oned by the hatred created by the
.var among the nations
MY thoughts turn back today eX-
.'ressly to those unforgettable days
When l had the honor and good for
5une to spend some time with the ex-
)cditionary force at Vera Cruz where
learned to admire the splendid SOL
fierly quaIta ard devotion to DUTY of
he United states army.
PERSONALLY spcakinS. no greater
satisfaction {, ND be given to me than
the fu.fiiin Of my ardent desire to
be called L, m where soldiers are far
more ureentis needed than here.
No Bitter Fcci,r~.
Il leave my post without any feel
ing of bitterness because 1 know too
well that when history is once written
1t will establish our clean records de-
spite all the nisrt presentation and
calumnies spread broadcast at pres
ent.
THE New York World. which GER
tainly is not open to the suspicion of
harboring friendly feeling for my
country, stated very fairly when dis
cussing my recall, now that the mat
ter is settled the fact should be en-
phasized that the state department
made no charges against Captain Won
Papen and Captain Boy-Ed which re
fected in slightest degree their
honor as officers. Certain newspa pers
have made reckless charges which
could not be supported by evidence but
the United States government never
intimated that it believed these
charges to be true
TO this L have nothing to add.
After all. this war will not be won by
the Providence Journal and the Even
ing Telegram with their hyphenated
supporters. 1t viii be decided by the
success of the invincible German arms.
GCin1any's Fight for Life.
I so nome with the unshakable-
conviction that no efforts, however in
slstent they may be, Will accomplish
the feIvent desire of our enemy to-
eTnbIon our country with this great
nation s @ UT neutraf re lations wiIfand
must, on the contrary, inevitably and
s,1adualIy improve as it becomes clear
10 every intelligent and clear minded
4 fully JGstfiable and heroic tlgnt for
existence and the very life of the ma
ton.
Although Captain Won Papen de-
clined to answer any of the questions
Of reporters after he had handed out
his formal statement in saying good
bye to German friend he said:
70 Trenches.
Il am glad of the opportunity to go
to the trenches for my country.
I wish to assure all that 1 feel
most grateful TO the great number of
German Americans in this county for
their support and sympathy.
I have been charged with lots of
things, but when this war is over you
will see that everything will come out /
all right, 1 am sure.
Il have been here for my country |
and 1 tried to serve it, but I have not |
done anything against diplomatic /
courtesy and l leave here feeling
that 1 can at last be among
the real actors in the trenches
Examined His Baggage
The captain was accompanied to the
pier at HobOken by a few friends with
whom he chatted while his ba ggage
was being examined. The examination
Of all baggage going aboard ship was
put in force for the first time today
by the Holland-America line. Off
cials of the line declined to give any
special reasons for it.