The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-25

On the 27th OF January, the kaiser s
birthday, the chancellor, Field Mar
shall Won Hindenburg, First Quarter
master General LundendoWf, Admirals
ron Capelie, Won Holtzendorff and Won
Mueller and Secretary OF State Zim-
hermann were invited to great head
quarters to attend the ksiser's birth
day.
Ever since Won Hindenourg has
been chief of the general staff the
srand chief headquarters of the Ger
man army have been located at Pless
IN the estate OF the Prince of Pless
in Siiesia. Previously the kaiser had
had his headquarters here. because
Il was said and popularity believed
that his majesty was in love with the
beautiful Princess OF Pless, an Eng
Iishwoman by birth. When Won Hin
cenburg took his headquarters to the
big castle there the princess was en-
lied and Sc At TO Parkenkirchen, one
of the wiuter res ,rts OF Bavaria
On previous birthdays OF the EN-
peror and when questions OF great
moment were debated the ciylllan
ministers Of the kaiser were always
invited. But on the kaisaE.A birthday
m 1917 only the military leaders were
asked. DR. eHelfterich, Minister OF
Colonies Soir. German bankers and
business men, as "a ell as German ship
pers. were not consulted Germany
VAS becoming SO desperate that she
WAS willing 10 DEFY not nnis her enc
niles and neutral countries, but her
own fnAnciers and business men.
Previously when tho submarine issue
was debated the kaiser wanted 10
know what effect such warfare
would have upon German economic
and industrial life. But This time he
did not care. He wanted to know the
naval and military arguments.
THE FATAL
DIE Is CAST
In August, a14, when The chancei-
Tor and q very small group Of people
were appealing to his majesty not to
90 to war, the %aiser sided with Gen
ersl Won Moltke ami Admiral Won Tir-
pftz. During the various submarine
crises with the United States il APP
peared that the kaiser was changing
II afs. -~ttfir,g arTc rea2Fy "a SIDE
with the forces of democracy IN his
own country President Wilson and
Am hassador Gerard thought that after
The downfall OF Won Tirpitx and Won
Fa!kenhayn the kaiser would join
hands with the reform forces.
But I'm 1917. when the final decision
came. the kaiser eaSa mis- lot with the
generals against the United States and
against democracy i'm Germany. The
chancellor, who ind impressed neu-
traI observers as being a real header
of democracy In Germany, sided with
the kaiser Thus by one stroke the
democratic movement which was I'M
der way In Germany received n rnde
slap. The man the people had looked
upon ms n friend became an enemy.
On January 80 the German govern
announced bior GaSa an
sIiied coasts and stated that AL ship
ping within these W aters, except on
special lanes. would be sunk without
notice. Germany challenged the whole
world to stay off Of the ocean. Presi-
dent Wilson broke diplomatic reia
lions Immediately and ordered Am
hsfssador Gerard TO return home.
Gerard called at the foreign office for
his passports and said that he desired
10 leave at once. Zimmerman in
formed him that as soon as the ar
raagements for a train could be made
ne coulud leave. Zimmerman asked
he ambassador to submit a list OF
persons he deeired TO accompany him.
The ambassadors list was submit ed
he next day The foreign Office sent
week passed before Gerard was told
ne could depart, and then he was in
structed that the American consuls
could rot accompany him. but would
nave TO take q special train leaving
Munich a week or two -AneF4-
can correspondents, who expressed a
desire to accompany the amhAssado
were refused permission. In the
meantime reports arrived that the
United States had confscated the Ger
man ships, and Count Montgelas. chief