The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-07
GERMAN SECRETS d
DIR. Muehlon, Former Director Of
Krupp Works, Has Much Interest
ing Information to Give.

Krupp Works, Has Much Interest
ing Information to Give.
Gumligen, Switzerland, July 25.-
One or the most interesting charac-
ters in. Switzerland today is DIR. Will
helm Muehlon, whose recent revela-
tions of German political and diplo-
matte secrets OF the days before the
war-at tir. when he was in con-
fidential touch with the high councils
of the l )erial German government
led to official surveillance over his
movements and finally to his eXpul-
sion from his native land.
His disclosures, which have Great
ed sensations in Entente capitals,
have been +. garded in many quar-,
ters as faithful interpretations OF
events which contributed to the
outbreak of the war and as conclu-
sive proof that the German emperor's
Vaccinations were responsible for the
world conflict. They led to a Ger
man government statement in the
Reichstag that he was not pathology
cally responsible and today he lives
the life of a retired farmer on the
outskirts of snaaii Swiss village.
Once he was G.. "tor Of the great
Krupp war esta. .ishment-a position
he took at the request of the German
foreign office-and a conspicuous
figure in civil and official circles.
A man of forty-fve years, tall and
broad-shouldered, with yellow Saxon
hair and small mustache. DR.. Much
lon, challenger of the German emper-
or's own version that he endeavored
to maintain peace, from time to time
addresses his compatriots across the
border with vigorous and Independent
views which, he declares, a great
many Germans share secretly. His
personal appearance shows none OF
| the nervous agitation which the Ger
man authorities have sought to at
| tribute to him. He declares he has
never had to consult a doctor; ply
sically and mentally he seems a man
| Of iron.
DR. Muehlon was asked today how
he could be an opponent Of mllltar-
ism and war, particularly the pres
ent struggle and at the same time be
a director of Krupps, the greatest
war machine in the world.
THAT appears to be inconsistent,
he said, "but the explanation is sim
pie. 1 have always been opposed to
| war, and even to large combinations
like krupps, as my inclinations were
toward the welfare and equality of the
people and the adjustment of differ
ences by reason instead of by force.
But it was felt desirable to have on
the Krupp directorate various shades
of opinion, even though not In strict
accordance with the war activities OF
the Establishment, so that all views
could be expressed and something like
common agreement obtained on the
many vexing problems presented.
| that end I came into the orGanlZa-
| ton at first in a subordinate position
and later in the directorate. It was
stipulated, however, that my actlvl-
ties should be mainly devoted to the
branch not engaged in war work, for
Krupps has two branches Of about
equal size, one devoted to war work
and the other to work unconnecteo
with war. Insensibly, however, my
work in one branch drew me into
the other, as my experience In inter
national affairs led to my being con-
suited on war arrangements having
any international bearing, such as the
armament Of Turkey"
DR.. Muehlon went on to tell OF his
growing dislike to the war work ano
his final determination to give up al
asso iation with it even at the sacrl'
ice cf one of the most important
| Business careers in Germany. DR.
A. uehlon has brought with him
large fund of material bearing or
the causes leading up to the war
Much OF it is documentary with let
ters from persons ard organizations
in high position This may reach
! the public in due time, and become
Il part of the historical data bearing
on the responsibility for bringing or
the war. For the present, however
DR.. Meuhlon said he is avoiding fur
ther controversial questions which
would be likely to arise if this mass
Il Ol Odtd WIS lllCuC pobliN c%S OAANS' - N~>
! only departure he has made from this
policy is in assembling pamphle'
| of day-by-day notes made at the out
set of the war giving his personal i'm
| pressions on various phases OF the
war. This is not in the line Of dis
closures or revelations, but rather ol
vigorous personal criticism of German
official and military methods, he said
One of his references to German con-
! ditionS is as follows:
1.-The general feeling of the people
since the outbre. of the war is that
German diplomacy has failed every
where Many assert that it has been
due to day to day policy of op-
portunism without far-reaching plans
| My opinion is that it could not have
done better with the controlling in
huence and continual interference
exercised by the kaiser. Only he who
bowed to every wish of the kaiser
could retain his place, and all wanted