The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-12-12

formed that it was impossible to give
up Alsace and Lorraine because fte
German people never would under
stand the giving up of a land which
had cost SO much blood.
"The situation of Germany was
dangerous, but Nothing could be
done. Our conversations vvera
pleasant and friendly and our
sacrifices Were appreciated by of
ficiais. saw, however, that
could not arrange the matter be-
cause Germany was OBLIGED to
obey the military party.
ss.I then tried another way. I'm
known to the Germans, I sent Herr
vassilko, socialist member of par
lament, to Berlin to talk with MAJ
thias Erzberger, the clerical leader.
and DR.. Albert o. w. Suederkum. a
socialist member of the reichstag. He
was to tell them Why the war must
end, and give them both to uni1 r.
stand that another peace resolution
should be introduced in the reihsctag,
directed against both the military
party and the Pan-Germans.
Reichstag Refused to Act.
At this juncture, howevr, the Ger
man armies began to win Victories.
ing. Thus we were badly situated.
When our chances We're bad and the
entente nations elated, they would
not talk peace. When We were win
ming LudendOrff would not consent
to permit peace negotiations. I al
ways wanted to use victory as an
opportunity to bring about peace and
several times had an impression that
might succeed.
Il sent Count Mensdorff to Switzer-
and to see General J. C. SHUTS, who
was in Switzerland last March in the
interests OF the British government.
He succeeded, hut I was unable to
tell just what terms germany would
make. do not recall that Mr.. Lloyd
George, the British premier, mention
I'd any conditions last February. Ger
many assured me that no definite Of
'ers were received from England.
believe this was true.
"EngIand appeared to intend to
crush Germany and France show
ed a similar attitude. President
Wilson was, the only head of an
allied power who did not appear
to have this in mind. Emperor
William could not bring himself
to yield Aisace-
Regarding Emperor William, I feel
that he did not want the war, but he
lid not know how to get out of it. In
this, 1 believe, the heads Of the en-
tente powers were wrong, for they
probably believe he caused the strug-
gle. I was minister to Rumania when
The war began and 1 honestly believe
that no one wanted hostilities to be-
gin. 1 have the impression that
neither Emperor Francis Joseph, EN-
peror William. nor their ministers
wanted war; ] might explain the fact
that there was too much diplomatic
biuffing, with every one looking for
The other fellow to recede from his
position.
Every way to get out Of war was
tried by US excepting war with Ger
many. When one considers how much
weaker than Germany we We're, he
% dictate terms. Now, if President
Wilson finds it difficult to impress his
views on the entente. how was it pos
sible for a man like me to do anything
with Germany?
Il hope that an agreement to dis
arm will be reached. President Will
son is the man who is able to bring
his about. I believe his plan for a
league of nations is feasible and
would solve the whole problem have
shown in public addresses why power
to punish any nation resorting to
arms is the only way to keep the
peace.
81 signed the peace treaty of Brest-