New-York tribune., 1918-12-04
Republic Suits
Me, Declares
Grown Prince
Happy to Return to Ger
many as a Laborer Under
a Government Like u. s.
An Admirer of Wilson
Convinced of Defeat After
First Marine Battle and
Wanted Peace, He Asserts

OOSTERLAND, Holland, Dec (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 German Grown
Prince, thus answered the question of
The Associated Press in the course of
a lengthy conversation to day in the
small cottage of the village pastor on
the island of Wieringen, whore he is
interned.
"However," he continued, Should the
German government decide to form a
republic similar to the United States
or Franco, shall be perfectly content
to return to Germany as a simple citi-
zen, ready to do anything to assist my
country. ] should even be happy to
work as laborer in factory.
"At present everything appears chaos
in Germany, but hope things will
right themselves"
Saw Defeat LIN 1914
Asked what in his opinion was The
turning point OF the war, lie said: ~
was convinced early in October, 1914,
that we had lost the war. | considered
out position hopeless safter the battle
of the Marine, which we should not
have lost if the chiefs of our general
staff had not suffered case of nerves.
81 tried 10 persuade the general
staff to seek peace then, even at a
great sacrifice, going so far as to give
up Alsace- Lorraine, but I was told to
mind my own business and to confine
my activities to commanding my
armies. have proof of this.
What finally brought about the down
declared, was revolution induced by
four years of hunger among the Ger
man civilians and the troops in the
rear.
This, together with the overwhelming
numbers being gathered by the Entente
powers since Americas entry into the
war. had undermined the confidence of
the German fighting forces, he said
"My soldiers, whom l loved and with
whom I lived continuously, and who, if
l may say so, loved me, fought with
the utmost courage to the end, even
when the odds were impossible to with
stand" the refugee prince went on.
"They had no rest, and sometimes an
entire division numbered only 500
rifles. These were opposed by fresh
Allied troops, among whom We're Amer
lean divisions containing 1900 men
apiece"
Describing how he left the front,
Frederick William declared: "I was
with my group Of armies after the
Kaiser left Germany.
Forced Out of Command
81 asked the Berlin government
whether they desired me to retain my
command. They replied negatively, and
could not continue to lead armies un-
der orders of the Soldiers and Work
ers' Council.
"Therefore, I came to Holland with
out hindrance. No shooting or bomb
ing occurred and ! quit the army with
the greatest regret after having par
ticipated in the trench life with the
soldiers for so long.
81 have not been in Germany for
year, and from the beginning of the
war l have taken only three or four
fortnight leaves
Speaking of the beginning of the
war Frederick William asserted:
Denies He Wanted War
"Contrary to all statements hitherto
made abroad. l never desired war, and
thought the moment quite inopportune.
was never consulted, and the report
about crown council being held in
Berlin to decide con the war deny
on my oath. | was enjoying stay at
a watering place when mobilization was
ordered.
"My father also, / am sure, did not
desire war. If Germany had sought
the beest opportunity for making war
either of the Boer War or the Russo
japanese War
From the beginning | was certain
that England would enter the conflict
This view was not shared by Prince
Henry and the othtr members of my
family.
people have credited me with war
like intentions. But was only a SOL
dier with a desire to see the army