Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-09-06
GERMAN WAR AIMS
ARE DEFENSIVE ONLY,
CROWN PRINCE SAYS
intention Not to AnnihiLate the
Enemy but "HOId Our Own. "
AppraiSeS His AdverSarieS,
Including Americans

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 4.-The German
idea OF victory as defined by the German
crown prince in an interview published
in the Buda Pest Az Est, is an intention
to hold our own and not let ourselves
be vanquished" The crown prince is
quoted as saying that this was clear
to him, the moment England entered the
war.
Regarding the American forces IN
France, the crown prince said:
I've found that the majority don't
know what they are fighting for, but
We feel. of course, the effect of the en-
try Of the Americans They have sent
over very much material and now are
sending very much human material"
The crown prince denied that he was
a '-fire eater" and continued:
IF Germany had wanted war We
would not have chosen this moment. No
moment could have been more untavor-
able for Germany"
In reply to the question as to how
he thought the end of the war would
come, he replied:
Through the enemy percei%ing the
colossal stake which they are not equal
TO winning. and that they cannot win
as much as they are bound to lose"
In discussing the present operations
on the western front the crown prince
said:
Explains Retreat
The enemy attacks and the with
drawal on our front at several places
is often wrongly interpreted in some
circles. Some of our people are too ac-
customed 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
In fra1g inn fhg.
situation. both military and political,
we must never forget one thing-that
we are waging a war of defense. The
war is one of humiliation only for the
enemy, not for US. We want to annihil-
ate none of our enemies We mean,
however, to hold our own"
Always Clear to Hfm
We speak openly of victory" the
crown prince added. 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 1 always emphasiz-
ed it"
When the interviewer remarked that
the crown prince was considered abroad
as a fire eater" he answered
Il am aware of these accusations. Do
I need to say that not word of them
is trueT
Reverting to the question Of what ma
ton wanted the war he declared that
''it was clear that England would take
advantage Of the opportunity"
belgium after all was only a pre-
text" he continued England inter
vened because German competition was
unbearable.
We are lighting for our existence.
repeat our aim. therefore, can only be
to safeguard ourselves"
The enemy assault doubtless win
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
win not be able to attain their aim.
Our troops are fighting splendidly and
attribute to their courage the fact
that such colossal superiority in
strength does not crush US"
Discussing the fighting qualities of
Germany's enemies, he said:
The French fight brilliantly and are
bleeding to death. They do not hesitate
at any sacrifice. With the English the
individual man is very good and tena-
cious, but their leadership is deficient
Among the Americans I've found that
the majority do not know what they
are lighting for. I asked an American
prisoner what they were fighting for
and he answered: For Alsace,' and to
the question: Where is AlsaceT he re-
piled: It's a big lake""