Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-23
Charges Ka;se

German business men have been
blackmailed by Emperor William from
the day Immediately preceding the war
until the present, according to an ar
tice written by August Thyseen, one
of the wealthest Of German business
men and a leader of the republican
movement. The article was first pub
| lished in pamphlet form. but it was
suppressed and the author fined Tor
writing it. 1t is as follows:
| II am writing this pamphlet be-
lcause l want to open the eyes of Ger
mans, especially of the business COM
munity, to facts. When the Hohen-
2ollerns wanted to get the support OF
| the commercial class for their war
plans they put their IDEAS before us as
| a business proposition A large num-
| her of business and commercial men
were asked to support the Hohenzol-
Tern war policy on the ground that it
would pay them to do SO.
Let me frankly confess that | am
one Of those men who were led 20
agree to support the Hohenzollern war
plans when this appeal was made to
the leading business men of Germany
in 19l2-I3. | was led TO do so, how
ever. AGAINST my better Judgment
In 1912 the Hohonzollerns saw that
the war had become a necessity 10 the
preservation of the military system
upon which their power depends. In
that year the Hohenzollerns might
have directed, II they had desired, the
r. t,nt
peace would have been insured in
Europe for al least fifty years.
prolonged peace would have re-
suited certainly in the breakup of our
military system. and with the break
up of our military system the power
Of the HohenZollerns would come to
an end. The emperor and his family.
as l said. clearly understood this and
they therefore in 1912 decided to en-
bark on a great war OF conquest.
ITO do this they had to get the COM
merCial community 10 support them
in their aims. They did this by hold
ing out to them hopes Of great per-
sonal gain as the result Of the war.
u was personally promised a free
grant OF 10000 acres in Australia and
$3.50 900 at per cent TO enable me TO
develop my business in Australia.
Several other firms We're promis ed
special trading facilities IN India, which
was to be conquered by Germany.
"A syndicate was formed for the ex-
plo.tat!on Of Canada. The syndicate
consisted Of the heads of twelve great
firms: the working capital was fixed
at 100000, 900, half Of which was to
be furnished by the German govern
ment.
There were, l have heard, promises
made Of a more personal character.
For example. the conquest OF Bng
land was TO be made the occasion OF
bestowinE upon certain favored and
wealthy men some Of the most desir
able residences in ENGLAND, but Of this
I have no actual proof
Every trade and interest was APP
pcaled to. Huge indemnitics were, o.
course TO be levied on the conquered
nations. and the fortunate German
manufacturers were by this means
practically to be relieved of taxation
for years after the war.
These promises were not vaguely
given. They were made definitely by
Bethmann-H olweg and were confirmed
by the emperor. who on three occas-
ions, addressed large private gather
ings OF business men in Berlin, Munich |
and Cassei In 1912 and 1913 One OF
the emperor's speeches concluded
Il am making YOU no promises that
cannot be redeemed, and they shall be
redeemed II you are now prepared to |
make the sacrifices which are neces-
sary 10 secure the position that our |
must and shall occupy in the !
world. He who refuses to help is a |
traitor TO his Fatherland; he who helps
willingly and generously VIII have his |
rich reward"
According to the promises Of the
Iiohcuzollcrns, victory was to have
been achieved IN December. 1915, but in |
December Of 1916 the chancellor, Beth