The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-15
HUN CHIEFLAYS
BLAME FOR LOSS
UPON PRISONERS
Says Captured Germans Gave
Information to FOch.
Told Allies When and Where
Attack Would Fall.
WARNS HIS MEN NOT TO talk
"Small Matters May Give Away
Big Movements"
Declares Future Depends on
Silence of Prisoners.
Says Captured Germans Gave
Information to FOch.
WARNS HIS MEN NOT TO talk
Declares Future Depends on
Silence of Prisoners.

With the Fr~nch Armies in the
Field, July Is (by mail -Copies of
an order issued by General Luden-
dorff, show that Germany's plans on
the west front are constantly being
revealed to the French and allied
commands by German prisoners.
The order follows:
"a captured document coming from
the Second French army and dated
May 26, proves that German soldiers
belonging to TIE Seventh regiment of
Chasseurs of the 197tn division of in
fantry captured as prisoners north of
the Chemin Des Danes during the
night of May rs and 26. revealed to
the enemy our impending attack.
Very probably they told all they
knew about preparedness made in
their sector, and in the adjacent Sec
know precious details concerning the
hour. tie form of our attack, the ar
tillery preparedness, the units en-
gagged, etc, etc.
Allies Were Ready.
Another document, dated May 20,
which has come into our hands also
shows that the enemy, aN waiting our
attack, gave warning to their troops
against our gas and were a1le to bring
into position on the heights between
the Aisne and the Vesle the reserves
(the Thirteenth French division)
which they were gliding On this Dor
ton of the front. The resistance of
this division case the lives and limbs
or many German soldiers.
"fDefeat Due to Treachery."
without the treason committed by
t.-ese two pric ners, the surprise of
May 81 woul1 have succeeded COM
pletely and the success might even
have been much greater than it really
was.
.sTf hos 1;I-o---;zo 49, l,.
that our attack of June was known
to the enemy thru the declaration of
prisoners, which alC. ercbled the
enemy to be prepared for this attack
I'VE are struck by the precision and
richness in Diet, ills of the information
which the enemy is able to secure
from German prisoners.
Il demand that orders be given to
instruct without ceasing and in the
most extreme detail the troops both
in the field and those in the interior,
OF the conduct to be maintained in
case they are taken prisoner and that
they be made to see the shameful
character and the terrible conse-
quences of an attitude similar to that
of the above.
81 demand equally that the armies
publish in the newspapers and jour-
mails that they edit the text of the pres
ent order and that articles be written
based on it.
Prisoners Reveal Vital Facts.
THE great majority of the men who
have the misfortune to be taken pris-
oner fail to realize (deserters to the
contrary the degree with which their
declarations concerning even insight
ficant objects not only place in peril
the lives Of their comrades but COM
promise the success of our attacks and
raids
THE Infamous conduct of soma of
these prisoners can veen have roper
cussion extremely important on the
final victorious issue of the war; they
can even cause the most damage to
the fatherland as a whole
The soldier who refuses to dishonor
himself, retains his conscience and
self-respect in his own eyes, in those
of his supreme chief, in those of his
country and finally enforces the re-
spect of the adversary