The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-12-12
STILL CLAIMS TITLE.
Crown Prince Declares He Has Not
Renowned Anything.

Oosterland, Holland, Dec. 81
have not renowned anything and l
have not signed any document what
ever
Frederick William H~ohenzollern'
who still claims the title OF crown
prince of Germany, thus answered
the question of the Associated Press
in the course of a lengthy conversa-
ton today, which took place in the
small cottage of the village pastor
On the island of Wieringen, where he
is interned.
However," he continued, should
the German government decide to
form a republic similar to the Unit
cd States OF France, I shall be per-
fectly content to return to Germany
as a simple citizen ready to do any
thing to assist my country. should
even be happy to work as a laborer
in a factory.
"At present everything appears
chaos in Germany, but hope things
will right themselves"
Asked what in his opinion was the
turning point of the war, he said:
81 was convinced early in October,
1914. that we had lost the war.
I considered our position hopeless
after the battle of the Marine, which
we should not have lost if the chiefs
of our general staff had not suffered
a case of nerves.
Wanted to Seek Peace.
81 tried to persuade the general
staff to seek peace then, even at a
great sacrifice, going so far as to
give up Alsace-Lorraine. But l was
told to mind my own business and
confne my activities to commanding
my armies. I have proof of this
What finally brought about the
downfall of the German military
power, he declares, "a revolution
induced by four years Of hunger
among the civilians and the troops
in the rear, together with the over:
whelming superiority in numbers, at
tanned by the entente powers since
Americas entrance into the war,
which had undermined the confidence
oxthe German fighting forces.
my soldiers, whom l loved and
with wkSm I lived continuously and
who, if f..may say so, loved me-
fought with the utmost courage to
the end, even when the odds were
impossible to withstand" the refu-
gee prince went on. '"They, had no
rest, and sometimes an entire divis-
ion numbered only 500 rifles. These
were opposed by fresh allied troops,
among whom were American divis-
ions containing $1,000 men apiece"
Describing how he left the front,
Frederick William declared:
81 was with my group of armies
after the kaiser left Germany. l
asked the Berlin government wheth-
or they desired me to retain my COM
mand. They replied negatively, and
/ could not continue to- lead armies
under orders of the soldiers and
workmen's council.
Therefore, I came to Holland,
without hindrance. No shooting or
bombing occurred and I quit the ar
my with the greatest regret after
having participated in the trench
life with the soldiers for so long.
81 have not been in Germany for
a year, and from the beginning OF
the war I have taken only three apr
four fortnight leaves"
Speaking of the beginning of the
war Frederic William asserted:
Contrary to all statements hither-
to made abroad, I lever desired war,
and thought the moment quite in
opportune. l was consulted
and the report about a crown coun-
Gil being held in Berlin to decide on
the war 1 deny on my oath. l was
enjoying a stay at a watering place
when mobilization was ordered.
Did Not Desire War.
"My father, also, l am sure, did
not desire war. If Germany had
sought the best opportunity for max
ing war she would have chosen the
period either of the Boer Wal or
the Russo-Japenese War.
From the beginning 1 was GER
tain that England would enter the
conflict. This view was not shared
by Prince Henry and the other mem
bers of my family.
people have credited me with
warlike intentions. But l was only a
soldier with a desire to see the army