The evening world., 1918-09-04
CROWN PRINCE
ADMITS ALLIES
SUPERIOR FORCE
Declares Americans Don't
Know What They Fight
for-Not a 'Fire Eater"

AMSTERDAM, Sept. I.-The Ger
man idea Of victory as defined by the
German Crown Prince IN an inter-
view published in the Budapest AZ
Est is an intention ITO hold our own
and not let ourselves be vanquishcd."
The Crown Prince Is quoted as say
ing that this was clear TO him the
moment England entered the war.
The Crown Prince denied that he
was a ''fire-eater" and continued:
III Germany had wanted war we
should not have chosen this mo-
ment No moment could have been
more unfavorable for Germany"
In reply TO the question as to how
he thought the end OF the war would
como. he replied:
Through the enemy perceivins that
they are not equal TO the winning OF
their colossal stake and that they
cannot win as much as they arc
bound 70 lose"
In discussing tho present operations
on the western 'front.' the Crown
Prince said:
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
and when a battle occurs wherein the
enemy attacks and we have to defend
ourselves the situation Is not always
correctly understood.
'In judging the situation. both
military and political, we must never
for get one thing-that we are waging
a war of defence. The war Is one OF
annihilation only for the enemy, not
for us. We want to annihilate none
OF our enemies. We mean. however,
to hold our own"
Regarding the American forces in
France, the Crown Prince said:
"Pve found that the majority don't
know what they are fighting for. but
we feel, of course, the effect of the
entry OF the Americans. They have
sent over very much material and
are now sending very much human
material:"
The enemy assault doubtless will
continue for some time" the Crown
Prince said with reference to the
fighting on the western front. but
our enemies must themselves see that
they viii not be able to attain their
aim.
"Our troops are fighting splendidly.
and ! attribute to their courage that
such colossal superiority In strength
does not crush u.s."
Discussing the fighting qualities OF
Germany's enemies. no 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 tenacious. but the leader
ship is deficient.
Among the Americans I've found
that the majority do not know what
they are fighting for. I asked an
American prisoner what they were
lighting for and he answered: For
Alsace.' and to the question: Where
is Alsacer he replied: IT'S a big
lake."
I'VE speak openly OF victory" the
Crown Prince said. 'The word vic
tory 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 always emphasized it."
When the interviewer remarked
that the Crown Prince was consid-
cred abroad as a Are eater" he an
swered:
"I am aware of those accusations.
l don't need to say that not . word
OF them Is true"
Reverting TO the question OF what
nation wanted the war. he declared
that at was clear that England would
take advantage OF the opportunity"
Belgium, after all, was only pre-
| text" he continued. England in
tervened because German competition
was unbearable.
"We are fighting for our existence.
| repeat our aim, therefore, can only
be 10 safeguard ourselves"