Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1918-12-04
Republican A. p. Leased wireI

Republican A. P. Leased Wire1
OOSTERLAND, Holland, Dec. 8
BY the Associated Press)-'I have not
renounced anything and | have not
signed any document whatever
Frederick William Hohenzollern. who
still claims the title of crown prince of
Germany. thus answered the question
of the Associated Press, in the course
of a lengthy conversation today. which
took place in the small cottage of the
village pastor on the island Of Wierin-
gen, where he is interned.
However" he continued, should the
German government decide to form a
republic similar to the United States
IT France. 1 shall be perfectly content
to return to Germany as a simple citi-
zen. ready to do anything to assist my
country | should even be haDpv to
work as a laborer in a factory.
AT present everything appears chaos
in Germany. but | hope things Will
right themselves
Marine Beasn the End
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. | con-
sidered 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 a case OF
nerves.
Il tried to persuade the general staff
to seek peace then, even at a great
sacrifice, going so far as to give ur
Alsace Lorraine. But | was told to
mind my own business and confine my
activities to commanding my armies
have proof of this"
What finally brought about the
downfall of the German military
power, he declared, was revolution in
luced by four years of hunger among
the civilians and the troops in the rear
together with the overwhelming su-
periority in numbers attained by the
entente powers. since Americas entry
into the war, which had undermined
The confidence Of the German fichtino
forces.
Denied Further Command
My soldiers, whom loved and with
whom l lived continuously and who
if | may say so. loved me, fought with
the utmost courage to the end. ever
when the odds were impossible tc
withstand the refugee prince went on
They had no rest, and sometimes ar
entire division numbered only 60(
rifles. These were opposed by fresh
ehlilth LiNppS, iLnOllS HllOIi were AIileT-
lean divisions containing $1,000 mer
apiece"
Describing how he left the front
Frederick William declared:
81 was with my group of armie!
after the kaiser left Germany. l asked
the Berlin government whether they
desired me to retain my command
They replied negatively, and I coulC
not continue TO lead armies under or.
ders Of the soldiers and workmen.
council.
Therefore. came TO Holland. with
out hndrance. No shooting or bomb
ing occurred, and ] quit the army will
the greatest regret, after having par
ticipated in the trench life with tn
soldiers for so long.
II have not been in Germany for
year, and from the beginning OF tn
war ! have taken only three or fou
fortnight leaves"
Speaking of the beginning Of tn
war, Frederick William asserted:
Did Not Desire War
Contrary to all statements hitherto
made abroad, / never desired war ant
thought the moment quite inopportune
| was never consulted and the repor
about a crown council being held il
Berlin to decide on the war; deny OF
my own authority. I was enjoying
stay at a watering place when mobiliz
alton was ordered.
my father also, I am sure, did no
desire war. If Germany had sough
the best opportunity for making war
she would have chosen the periot
either Of the Boer war or the Russo
Japanese war.
From the beginning, l was certain
that England would enter the conflict
This view mas not shared by Prime,
Henry and the other members of m,
family.
People have credited me with war
like intentions. But | was only a sol
dier with a desire to see the army KEEP
thoroughly efficient, and worked har,
to bring this about. People blame m
with the failure at Verdun. But l re
fused twice to attack there, with tn
troops at my disposal On the thir,
occasion, my attack was successful 70
the first three days, but was no
properly supported.
Il thought that the Verdun attac
was a mistake. We should have at
tackled to the eastward of Verdur
where there would have been grea
probability of success"
Bitter Against General Staff
The ex-crown prince was rather bit
ar regarding, the work of the genera
starr which. he asserted, was respon
Slble for numerous mistakes, includin
the attack in March 1918, which h
was ordered to make, contrary to hi
2wn view, and was compelled to ODE,
fContinned on Page Two)