Evening star., 1918-12-04

sometimes an entire division num-
bered only 900 rifles. These were op-
whom were American divisions con-
tanning $1,000 men apiece"
Rejected Him as Commander.
Describing how he left the front.
Frederick William declared: 81 was
with my group of armies after the
kaiser left Germany. I asked the Ber-
lin government whether they desired
me to retain my command. They re-
plide negatively and I could not con-
tinue to lead armies under orders OF
the soldiers and workers council
Therefore 1 came to Holland with
out hindrance. No shooting or bomb
ing occurred. and quit the army with
the greatest regret after having par
ticipated in the trench life with the
soldiers for SO long.
sI have not been in Germany for a
year, and from the beginning of the
war I have taken only three or four
fortnight leaves"
Speaking Of the beginning of the
war Frederick William asserted:
Contrary to all statements hitherto
made abroad, never desired war, and
thought the moment quite inoppor-
tune. was never consulted. and the
report about crown council being
deny on my oath. 1 was enjoying a
stay at a watering place when mobili-
zation was ordered.
my father also, am sure, did not
desire war. If Germany had sought
the best opportunity for making war
she would have chosen the period
either of the Boer war or the Russo
Japanese war.
From the beginning I was certain
that England would enter the con-
hict. This view was not shared by
Prince Henry and the other members
Of my family.
People have credited me with war
like intentions. But I was only a
soldier with g. desire to see the. army
worked hard to bring this about.
People blame me with the failure at
Verdun. But I refused twice to at
tack there with the troops at my dis
posal. On the third occasion my at
tack was successful for the first
three days, but I was not properly
supported.
"Verdun Attack a Mistake"
"I thought that the verdun attack
was a mistake. We should have at
tackled to the eastward Of Verdun,
where there would have been great
probability of success"
The ex-crown prince was rather bit
ter regarding the work of the gen.
eral staff, which he asserted was re-
sponsible for numerous mistakes in
cluding the attack in March, 1918,
which he was ordered to make, con-
trary to his own view, and was COM
PEELED to obey. He declared that
LudendorR was the handspring of
Germany's warlike activities, while
Won Hindenburg was mere figure
head.
Ludendorr and his staff continually
underestimated the enemy's forces.
he declared, and never believed that
Americas contribution of soldiers
was as great as it actually proved
to be.
Admirer Of President.
Frederick William declared himself
to be an admireB Of President Wilson,
who, he felt assured. would bring
about peace of justice for the Ger
man people, and concluded:
ANY humiliation of a nation con-
tanning seventy million of people
would only leave a feeling of revenge.
Such nation cannot be crushed. The
arm1stfce terms are very severe and
almost impossible of execution, as the
entente powers are taking away a
large portion of the means of trans
port.
Asked whether Germany, IL VIC
torious, would not have imposed even
more severe terms, he expressed the
belief that such would not have been
the &sa.
When the Brest-Lttovsk treaty was
mentioned, he said its terms were hard
because in Russia the Germans were
confronted by the bolsheviki.
With regard to air raids on unfor-
tilted cities. the fierce submarine war
fare. the bombardment Of Paris and
cupied district to work in Germany.
Frederick said he had always entirely
disagreed with these policies.
Big Gun Attack "Silly."
THE air raids on London and other
towns and the big gun used against
Paris were useless militarily and. In
fact, silly" said Frederick William.
Orders to subcommnders were
read differently by various officers.
who went much too far. Regarding
air raids, suggested two years ago an
international agreement combining air
my opinion was entirely disregarded.
I was again told my job was to COM
mand my armies"
In connection with Germany's ac-
tions in Belgium at the beginning of
the war the ex-cF0Wn prince said that
the German general stan had inform
ed him that Field Marshal Hatg was
complete military survey for future
operations. When It was euggested
that the German stair had done the
same thing, Frederick said he knew
nothing about It.
|, German diplomats. he declared. had