South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-22
Capt. Franz Won Papen, Ger
man Military AttaChe,
Leaves For Europe.
Feels No Bitterness.
HISTORY, He SAYS, WILL
SHOW CLEAN RECORD
Denies Any Guilt and States
That War Will be Won
by German Soldiers
Not Newspapers.

HOBOKEN, n. j.. Dec. 22.-Capt.
Franz Won Papen, the German mil
itary attache recalled on the demand
of the United States government,
sailed for Europe today on the
Holland-American liner NOordan,
leaving behind him farewell mes
sage declaring that he departed
without bitterness and with con-
idence that his story will establish
the cleanness of his record.
He criticised the attacks made by
certain newspapers upon him and
asserted that no effort could embrOil
Germany with the United States.
The prepared statement which the
military attache gave out follows:
In leaving this country where I
have received so many proofs OF
kindness and hospitality from Amer
leans and others / feel il my duty
TO thank all those who did not per
NIT their personal feelings 10 be
poisoned by the hatred created by
the war among the nations. My
thoughts turn back especially TO the
unforgettable days while 1 had the
honor and good fortune to spend at
the headquarters Of the expedition
airy force at Vera Cruz, where I
learned TO admire the splendid sol
dierly qualities and devotion TO their
duty Of the United States army and
it's leaders. Personally speaking no
greater satisfaction could be given
to me than the fulfllment of my
ardent desire to be called home
where soldiers are more urgently
needed than here
Feels No Bitterness.
81 leave my post without any feel
ing of bitterness because 1 know too
we'll that when history is once writ
ten. it will establish our clean rec
ord despite all the misrepresenta-
tons and calumnies spread broad
cast at present.
The New York World, which GER
tainly is not subject to the sus-
picion of harboring especially friend
ly feelings for my country, stated
very fairly when discussing my re-
call, now that the matter is settled,
the facts should be emphasized that
the state department made no
charges against Capt. Won Papen
and Capt. Boyd which reflected in
the smallest degree on their honor
as officers. Certain newspapers have
made reckless charges which could
not be supported by evidence, but
|he United states government never
intimated that it believed these
charges to be true
10 this l have nothing TO add
After all this war will not be won
/ by the Providence Journal and the
I Evening Telegram with their by
phenated supporters. 1t Will be de-
cided by the successes Of the irwin
chile German arms. / 90 home with
the unshakable conviction that no
effort. however. insistant it may be,
will accomplish the fervent desire Of
our enemies 10 embroil my country
with this great nation. Our mutual
relations will and must on the con-
trary inevitably and gradually i'm
prove as il becomes clearer TO every
Intelligent and clear-minded true
American that Germany is engaged
I in a fully justifable and heroic fight
Cor her existence and the very life
/ OF the nation"
/ Numerous gifts were rendered
Capt Won Papen before he went on
I board. Among them were flowers. "A
I basket OF champagne. a case of
sherry. key Of cider and a keg Of
saue- kraut.
The returning official shook hands
with the ranOrfers md all hi frfo,7s,
/ before boarding the ship.