The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-04
Crown Prince Admits Germany
Cannot Win War.
Declares Sole Purpose Is To
Prevent Allied Conquest.
TO HOLD OUR own is VICTORY
"We Are Waging a War of De-
fenSe," Says Heir to Throne.
"Americans Don't Know What
They Are Fighting For"

Amsterdam, Sept. 4.-The German
idea of victory as defined by the Ger
man crown prince, in an interview
published in the Budapest Az Est, is
an intention ito hold our own and
not let ourselves be vanquished." The
crown prince is quoted as saying that
this was clear to him at the moment
England entered the war.
Was Fad Time for War.
The crown prince denied that he
was a fire eater" and continued: IF
Germany had wanted war we should
not have chosen this moment. No
moment could have been more un-
favorable for Germany"
In reply to the question as to how
he thought the end of the war would
come. he replied:
Thru the enemy perceiving that
they are not equal to the winning of
their colossal stake and that they can
not win as much as they are bound to
lose."
Germany on the Defensive.
In discussing the present operations
on the western front, the crown prince
said:
THE enemy attacks and the with
drawal on our front at several places
is often wrongly interpreted in some
accustomed to a continuous advance
and when a battle occurs wherein the
enemy makes attacks and we have to
defend ourselves, the situation is not
always correctly understood. In judg-
ing the situation, both military and
political, we must never forget one
| thing-that We are waging a war of
defense. The war is one of annihila-
tion only for the enemy, not for us.
Wes want to anffhilate none of our
enemies. We mean, however, to hold
our own"
Regarding the American forces in
France. the crown prince said:
I've found that the ma jority don't
know what they are fighting for, but
we feel, of course, the effect of the
entry of the Americans. They have
sent over very much material and now
are sending very much human ma
terial.
No Chance to VIM
I'VE speak openly of victory" the
crown prince said. 1.-THE word victory
must not be understood to mean that
we want to annihilate the enemy but
only that we mean to hold our own
and not let ourselves be vanquished.
The moment England entered the war
that was clear to, me and l always en-
PHI sized it,
When the interviewer remarked that
the crown prince was considered
abroad as a ''fire-eater." he answered:
II am aware of these accusations.
| Do need to say that not a word of
them is true?''
Reverting to the question OF what
| nation wanted the war. he declared
| that it was clear that England would
take advantage of the opportunity.
| Belgium after all was only pretext."
he continued. England interviewed
| because German competition was un-
bearahle.
'Fighting Only for Existence.
1--WE are fighting for our existence.
| repeat our aim, therefore can only
| be to safeguard ourselves"
1.-The enemy assault doubtless will
continue for some time" the crown
prince said with reference to the fight
| ing on the western front. but our
enemies must themselves see that they
| Our troops are fighting splendidly and
I attribute to their courage the fact
( that such colossal superiority in
strength does not crush u.s."
| Discussing the fighting qualities OF
! French fight brilliantly and are bleed
] ing to death. They dc. not hesitate al
any sacrifice. With the English the
! individual man is very good and tena-
| cious but the leadership is deficient
Among the Americans I've found that
! the majority do not know what they
are fighting for. I asked an American
| prisoner what they were fighting for
! the question: Where is Alsace?' he
! lob