Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-09-18

ulb enlSSdHIed IN tQlS country.
returned to Berlin late In Octobe
Of that year. Within q day or tw'
after my arrival I received q telephon
message from the Relchskanzler vol
Bethmann.Hollwsg to the effect tina
the kaiser had sent him word Of n,
return and that he would like me h
call at his palace either that noon q
At four p. m.
Twas ushered into q very large room
in the corner Of which was q business
IKE looking hat-topped desk, but whicl
was otherwise deliberately furnished
The reichskanxler, a tall, broad-shoul
dered. handsome specimen Of a man
came over to me and. putting his arm
in mine, walked me to seat beside
the desk. He asked me what I woult
smoke. and upon my taking cigar
cite, he did likewise.
"The kaiser's been telling me, doc
tor" he said. "of your recent visit Il
America. and I would like to ask yot
q few questions"
/ said that was always glad to tall
Of America. Indeed, I was particular
ly glad Of the opportunity to speal
with the prime minister Of Germany al
that time.
Then followed a bewildering success
sion Of questions. the purpose q
which was not at all clear to ma We
had a peculiar conversaton-half In
German, half in English. The reichs-
kanzler did not speak English partic-
ularly well.
"How are things in American" he
asked. did you have any opportu-
nifty to gauge the political situation1
Who do you think will be the next
president? Do you think that Ameri-
cans are opposed to peace because
that would end their chance to make
money out Of the war; Are your
people so mercenary that they would
like to see the war prolonged for the
sake Of the money they can make out
Of itT'
mo. your excellency," I replied,
"you are quite wrong If you imagine
that my countrymen would like to pro-
long the war for the sake Of war
profits. That Is very far from being
the case. On the contrary, the coun-
try at large Is anxious for peace"
"Don't forget your people are maxi
ing lot Of money out of this war"
the reichskanzler persisted. "They
are becoming very rich. They will
soon have all the gold in the world.
Putting an end to the war would to q
great extent end American opportuni-
ties for making money on this enor-
nous SCALE"
'1That may be all true" I replied,
'but fortunately my countrymen think
more Of the blessings Of peace and
liberty than they do OF war and profits,
and the sooner peace can be brought
about on a basis which will have
some assurance Of permanency the bet
ter we will like it."
Wilson has the greatest opportu-
nifty ever presented to a man to make
his name Immortality bringing about
peace In the world" he went on. I'VE
feel now that he Is not our friend, but
to the allies, but nevertheless
be may be able to see that IL this war
Is prolonged indefinitely 1t will mean
the destruction Of all the nations in
volved in 1t. Do you think there Is
any possibility Of America entering
the war;"
'That, Of course, will depend. your
excellency," answered, "upon devel-
opments. I don't believe my country
Is anxious to fight, but I'm quite sure
that nothing in the world will keep us
out Of 1t If our rights as a neutral
nation are not respected"
ave certainly don't like the way
Hughes has been talking on the
stump" declared the reichskanzler.
did you hear any Of his speeches or
any Of Wilson'si"
I said / had had no opportunity to
hear any Of the campaign speeches,
but that I had followed them in the
"Well, did you gather from what
you read that the American people
want to see peace In Europe or do
they want the war to 60 on SO they
can continue to make fortunes out
Of itf'
Again replied that was certain
our country would never be Influenced
By such sordid considerations al were
Implied In the reichskanzler's question,
but that II the right kind Of peace
could be brought about the whole
would eagerly embrace It.
The subject Of the U-boat campaign
vas never mentioned and 1t was not
until several months later when the
submarine warfare was started again
on a greater scale than ever that I
realized that the whole purpose Of
this interview was to ascertain II they
could, without telling me their inten-
lions, who was the candidate. Hughes
Or Wilson, who would be least dam
gerous to them If more American YES
sells were sunk In the ruthless sub
marine campaign they were then con-
The election was drawing close; 1t
was necessary to notify Won Berns-
tori of Potsdam's preference; the kali
ser believed that perhaps he held the
deciding ballot in his hand in the
shape Of the German-American vote
and he didn't know how to cast 1t.
Hence the eagerness with which they
me upon my return from
the 'front."
The interview with the reichskanzler