Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-06
Ex-Crown Prince Put
Blame for Blunders
OF War on Others

OOSTERLAND, Holland, Dec. a.
Frederick William Hohenzollcrn, who
still claims the title of the crown
prince Of Germany. answered ques-
tionS of the Associated Press in the
course Of lengthy conversation yes
terday, which took place in the small
cottage of the village pastor on the
island OF Wieringen, where he IS III
termed.
should the German government
decide 10 form a republic similar 10
tho United States or France, ne
said, II shall be perfectly content 20
return to Germany as a simple citizen
ready to do anything TO assist my
country. ] should even be happy TO
work as 2 labOrer in factory.
AT present everything appears
chaos in Germany, but l hope things
will right themselves"
What finally brought about down
fall OF the German military power,
he declared. was revolution induced
by four years OF hunger among the
civilians and She troops in the rear,
together with the overwhelming SUI
periority in numbers attained Dy the
entente powers since Americas en-
trance into the war which had uh-
dermined the confidence OF the Ger
man fighting forces.
My soldiers, whom ! loved and
with whom ! lived COntinuously,- ana
who. IL | may say 50, loNee me,
fought with the utmost courage 70
the end, even when the odds were
impossible to withstand The refu-
gee prince went on. They had no
rest. and sometimes an entire diVl-
sion numbered only 500 rifles. These
were opposed by fresh allied troops,
among whom were American dlyi-
SionS containing $1,000 men apiece.
Left Army with Regret
Describing how he left the 'front.'
Frederick William declared:
Il was with my group Of armies
after the kaiser left Germany. l
asked the Berlin government wheth-
er they desired ne 20 retain nv
command. They reolied negatively,
and could not continue to lead
armies under orders Of the soldiers
and WCTllmer's council.
Therefore. ! came to Holland,
without .hindrance. No shooting or
bombing occurred, and ! quit the
army with the grsptes, regret after
having participated i'll the trench
life with the soldiers for so Ions.
Il have not been IN Germany for
n year, and from the beginning of
tie war / have ta.lel only three CT
four fortnight leaves"
Speaking of the beginning of the
war. Frederick William asserted:
Contrary to all statements nith-
erto made abroad, ! never desired
war, and thought the moment quite
j NdS lCNCI NOll0Att-
ed, and the report about u crown
council being held in Berlin TO le-
eide on the war 1 deny on my oath.
I was enjoying a stay az a water
ing place when mobilization was or
NY father also. am sure, did
net desire war If Germany had
sought the best opportunity Tor
making war she would have chosen
the reriod either of the BoeT war
or the Russo-Japanes war,
"From the beginning l was GER
tain that England would enter the
conflict. This view was not shared
10y Prince Henry and the other mem
bers OF my family.
People have credited me with
war-like intentions. But ! was only
a soldier with a desire 20 sec the
army kept thoroughly efficient, and
l worked hard to bring this about.
People blame me with the failure at
Verdun. But L refused twice to at
tack there with the troops at my dis
posaL. on the third occasion my
attack was successful for che 1rst
three days. but / was not properly
ii thought that the verduu attack
was . mistake. We should have at
tackled 10 the eastward of Nerdun,
where there would have been great
probability Of success.
BIareE General Staff
The eX-crOwn prince was rather
bitter regarding the work OF the
general staff, which he asserted was
RESPONSIBLE fog numerous mistakes,
including the attack in March, 1918,
which he was ordered TO make. con-
trary TO his own view. and vas
compelled TO obey. He declared that
LudendorE was the handspring of
Germany's Yar-lilte activities, while
Won HindCnburg was a mere figure
head.
Ludendorfe and his staff contin-
ually underCstimated the enemy's
forces, he declared, and never be-
lieVed that America contribution
of soldiers was as great as it. aLtu-
allv proved to be.
Frederick William declared him
self to be an admirer of President
Wilson, who he felt assured would
bring about a peace of Justice for
the German people. and concluded
ANY humiliation of nation con-
taihing T0,OO0,0O0 people would only