Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-11-27
FEAR BoLsHEvIKI.
II. C. Emery Tells of War Times In
Germany.

| That the uppermost thought IN Ihe
minds OF Matthias Erzberger. Philip
Scheidemsnn, and other leaders OF the
present government in Germany, Is 10
prevent eventual control Of their country
by the Bolsheviki WAS the assertion OF
Major Henry e. Emery, who has just re-
turned from that country, having been a
prisoner in an internmeDt camp and later
placed under police jurisdiction IN Berlin.
Major Emery, in discussing his expert
ences also declared that as far tack as last
May "finis" had been prescribed by the
German people, and particularly the
working classes, on the domination OF
Kaiser Wilhelm and the rule OF Prussisn
niiitarism.
Evidence OF the fact crystsllized soon
after the news of the failure OF Hinden-
burg and Ludendorff to take Parts with
the spring drive had been passed about by
word of mouth. 1t began to develop
openly With the declaration OF persons OF
the working and business classes that the
| kaiser and his military clique had been
Withholding the true status OF the situa-
ton between America and Germany prior
| W TUG Sbtttu Sthtts SbtidbtI iAap hAt
| war.
As weeks wore on and the news of the
repuise OF the German army by the Ameri-
cans at Chateau hierry was brought
back to the German people, complaints
/, we're freely made that the kaiser had
Numbered in failing to keep the United
States out OF the war.
| ahphan ma IN Rariin - said
| Major Emery, "the great German often
sive was just coming to an end. 1t had
| begun while | was behind the wires in
Tuchel, and the despair ~e all felt as we
| sat there helpless and read the reports of
the German advance, out OF touch with
The whole world except for that news, can
hardly be described. No one OF US doubt
ed the ultimate outcome, but it looked
like some years OF captivity for US. The
feeling Of confidence among the Germans
was still high when reached Berlin.
"very soon, however, | discovered a
restiessness amorg the working people
that did not appear among the more well
| to do and educated classes. Whether the
latter we're merely more cautious in re-
they were less well informed.
Early in July my barber In the su bur bs
repeated, with amsziDg frankness, stories
| of desertion and discomfort brought from
the front by the soldiers on leave. His
comments on that date we're also signifi-
csnt. he complained bitterly OF the way
( in which the German people had been
4 ,aa ~ nd har \ cd hat ~ N ia
| done be said: That chap up above there,
we've got to throw him down. At the
moment hardly believed my ears, but
each succeeding week brought stronger
conviction that great masses OF the people
were thoroughly sick OF their rulers, and
be fore left found myself talking Eng
lish quite openly in Inter den Lindsn and
discussing the necessity OF the kaiser's
abdication. even remarked to member
/! OF the Reichstag that in August people
were afraid that our President would in
sist on the emperor's sbdication. And in
October they were afraid he wouldn't
But it was generally accepted that the
kaiser had long ago lost his grip and in
fiuence and that Ludendoxm Was the dc
tstor OF Germany, and in the short time
was there 4 saw him tall from a national
hero to the most execrated man in the
empire. Early in October, a rather con-
sentative journalist remarked: The
lamp post he will hang on is airea dy
picked OUT
Despite the growing conviction among
intelligent people that it was q losing
game, the actual collapse came almost
overnight. The military machine was
broken and even the PAN Germans turned
their wrath against them. because they
had been deceived. could not help feel
ing that with all their sense OF humilia-
ton, faces looked brighter and sense of
relief went through the people that the
long night OF oppression and misrule
was over. or course the effort 10 get
aboard the band wagon was amusing, but
on the other hand truths came to be told
and read with avidity which brought
about great revision of feeling and feel
ings OF shame and remorse which had
, never expected to see.
At the time left the great fear was not
W hat the terms OF capituiation would be,
so much as what would cone after. Re-
ports of Boishevism IN the army were rife,
and the spectre OF a Russianized Germany
had taken the place of Prussianized
/ Europe. The evil seed they had helped to
SOW in Russia was beginning to show q
home crop. That was one reason which
led to an attempt at q coalition govern
ment and half measures toward democracy
instead of clean sweep early in October.
| Added to this was the desire to haze the
sold guard" swallow their own medicine
and accept themselves the severe terms
which were known to be coming. At the
time Prince Max was made chancellor, the
post was suggested to much more radical
persons, but these promptly ''passed the
buck" The argument was that the guilty
elements should not be allowed to hide
behind the skirts OF the democrats, but
\ ahouIa he forced IN apk no " LEDGE thar do