The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-04
WAR BLAMED
ON GENERALS
BY FREDERICK
Calls Himself Pacifist and
Lays Disasters to Staff
Chiefs.
HAS NOT QUIT AS YET
Contest Lost in 1914 by Bad
Case of Shaken Nerves,
He Asserts Now.
HAS NOT QUIT AS YET
BY the Associated Psess.


have not renounced anything and I
have not signed any document what
ever"
Frederick William Hohenzollern,
who still claims the title of Crown
Prince, thus answered the question OF
the Associated Press in the course of
Il lengthy conversation to-day, which
took place in the small cottage of the
village pastor on the Island of Wier-
!ngen. where he is interned.
However," he continued, SHOULD
the German Government decide to
form republic similar to the United
States or France / shall be perfectly
content to return to Germany as a
simple citizen, ready to do anything
10 assist my country. l should even
be happy to work as a laborer in a
factory.
AT present everything appears
chaos in Germany, but hope things
will right themselves"
Puts Blame on Generals,
Asked what in his opinion was the
turning point of the war, he said: Il
was convinced early in October. 1914,
that we had lost the war. I consid-
cred our position hopeless after the
battle Of the Marne, which we should
not have lost if the chiefs OF our gen
eral staff had not suffered case OF
nerves.
II tried TO persuade the general
staff to seek peace then, even at
great sacrifice, going so far as to give
up Alsace- Lorraine. But l was told
10 mind my own business and confine
my activities to commanding my arm
les. have proof Of this
What finally brought about the
downfall of the German military power,
re declared, was revolution induced
~ four years of hunger among the
williams and the troops in the rear, to-
ether with the overwhelming num-
nrrs being gathered by the Entente
"owers since Americas entry into the
var had undermined the confidence OF
;he German fighting forces.
Tells of Fighting.
"My soldiers, whom loved and with
whom | lived continuously, and who,
Z may say so, loved me. fought with
The utmost courage TO the end, even
when the odds were impossible to with
stand" the refugee Prince went on.
They had no rest, and sometimes an
entire division numbered only 600
hxJ
tlled troops among whom were Amer
can divisions containing $1,000 men
apiece"
Describing how he left the front
Frederick William declared: II was
with my group OF armies after the
Kaiser left Germany. l asked the Ber-
lin Government whether they desired
me 10 retain my command. They re-
Piled negatively, and I could not con-
lHue 10 lead armies under orders. or
the Soldiers and Workers Council.
Therefore l came to Holland with
out h!ndrance. No shooting or bomb
'ng occurred and l quit the army with
The greatest regret. after having par
acipated in the trench life with the
Soldiers. for 80 long.
Il have not been in Germany for a
wear, and from the beginning OF the
war have taken only three or four
fortnight leaves"
No Desire for War.
Speaking of the beginning OF the
war Frederick William asserted Con
rary TO all statements hitherto made
'broad ! never desired wnR, and
thought the moment quite hoppor-
lune l was never consulted. and the
report about a Crown Council being
he!d In Berlin to decide on the war
deny on my onth. was enjoying n
stay at watering place when mobili-
za'lon was ordered.
Ny father also, am sure, did not
desire war. II 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 / was certain
mat England would enter the con-
met This view was not shared by
I'rince Henry and the other. members
OF my family.
People have credited me with wap-
ike Intentions. But was only n sol
der with a desire to see the army
Kept thoroughly efficient, and l worked
hard 70 bring this about People blame
Inc with the failure at Verdun. But
refused twice to attack there with the
troops at my disposal On the third
occasion my attack was successful fol-
Tho FIRST three days, but l was not
properly supported.
/ thought that the Verdun attach
Cohtiausd on Second Page.