The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1918-05-17
HOW THE KAISER
PLANNED THE WAR

For more than two years now nobody
has doubted that the kaiser planned
with cold blooded deliberation the war
that put the tincture of anguish into
everymans and everywoman's cup of
life There is at hand a convincing
sufficiency OF evidence. This evidence
has accumulated item by item until II
is overwhelming. incontrovertible, I'M
assaIable.
But granting this there come from
time 10 time additions to the terrible
indictments which are piled sky high
against the Beast OF Berlin. The latest
and perhaps, the most whitening in
iictment of the kaiser's depravity--a
depravity shared by the major por-
tion OF the leading business men OF
the empire, has but recently come to
light II is in the form OF a pamphlet
published by Herr Thyssen. for many
years counted the leading steel pro-
Queer in Germany. Herr Thyssen Is
well known TO the steel trade through
out the world, and twice visited the
United States to discuss the steel trade
internationally.
Herr Thyssen's pamphlet tells OF a
number OF conferences held between
the kaiser and the leading business
men OF Germany in years OF 1912 and
1913. at which ways and means for fl
nancing a war were discussed and as a
result of which the kaiser entered into
a bargain with the business men by
means OF which he secured their CO.
operation
This is the BLACKLIST chapter in the
worlds history, and 1t sinks the whole
German people into the bottomless pit
of perfidy. Here is the Introductory
story as related by Herr Thyssen:
Il am writing this pamphlet be-
cause want to open the eyes OF Ger
mans. especially OF the business COM
munity to facts. When the Hohenzol-
lerns wanted to get support OF the COM
mercial class for their war plans, they
put their ideas before us as a business
proposition. A large number of busi-
ness and commercial men were asked
to support the Hohenzollern war poll
icy on the ground that il would pay
them to do SO. Let me frankly confess
that am one of those who were led TO
agree to support the Hohenzollern war
plan when this appeal was made to
the leading business men Of Germany
in 1928. was led to do so. howev-
er. against my better judgment.
"In 1919 the Hohenzollerns saw that
the war had become a necessity to the
preservation of the military system.
upon which their power depends. In
that year the Hohenzoilerns might
have directed. II they had desired. the
foreign affairs OF our country so that
peace would have been assured In Eu-
rope for at least SO years But pro-
ionged peace would have resulted GER
tainly in the breakup OF our military
system. and with the breakup OF our
military system the power OF the Hob
enzollerns would come 10 an end. The
Emperor and his family. as said.
clearly understood this. and they,
therefore. in 1912. decided TO embark on
a great war OF conquest
But to do this they had to get the
comerciai community to support them
and their aims. They did this by hold
ing out TO them hopes OF great person
al gain as result OF the war. In the
light OF events that have taken place
since August. 1914. these promises now
appear supremely ridiculous. but most
of US at this time were led to believe
that they would probably be realized.
II was personally promised a free
grant Of 10000 acres in Australia and
a loan from the Deutsche Bank OF
Rl50.00O. at per cent to enable me to
develop my business in Australia. Sew
eral other firms were promised special
trading facilities in India which was to
be conquered by Germany. be II noted,
by the end OF 1915. A syndicate was
formed for the exploitation of Canada.
This syndicate consisted OF the heads
Of IL great firms; the working capital
was fixed at E 20.000.0O0. half Of which
was to be found by the German Gov
eminent.
There were, I have heard. promises
made OF a more personal character. For
example. the conquest of England"
was to be made the occasion of be-
upon certain favored and
wealthy men some of the most desir-
able residences in England. but of this
have no actual proof
Every trade and interest was APP
pealed to. Huge indemnities were, of
course. to be levied on the conquered
and the fortunate German
were. practically to be
relieved OF taxation for years after the
war.
These promises were not vaguely
given. They were made definitely
by Bethmann- Hollweg on behalf OF the
Emperor to gatherings of business men