Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-04
AIR RAIDS WERE
SILLY, son OF
EX-KAESER SAYS
Asserts Commanders of Sub
marines Went Much Too
Far: Diplomats Err

Oosterland, Holland. Dec. 4.--Fred-
erick William Hohenzollern, the for
mer German Crown Prince. is living
very simple life now. He strolls
about the Island of Wieringen. chats
with peasants, and is learning the
Dutch language from a small boy
who speaks English. He says he is
interned, although in reality not in
termed, as all the other German otli-
GERS have ben permitted to leave Hol-
land. He does not expect his wife
TO come to Holland: she will remain
in Berlin to Superintend the educa-
ton of their children.
Made Terms of Treaty Hard
When the Brest-Litovsk treaty was
mentioned. he said its terms were
hard because in Russia the Germans
were confronted by the Bolsheviki.
The air raids on London and 9TH
err towns and the big gun used against
Paris were useless militarily and, in
fact, silly" said Frederick William.
Orders TO submarine commanders
were read differently by various Of
ticers, who went much too far. Re-
garding air raids. l suggested two
years ago an international agreement
Coniining air activities to the actual
war zone, but my opinion was en-
tirely dsregarded. l was again told
my job was to command my armies"
Compelled to Send Telegram
German diplomats, he declared,
had made awful" mistakes, being
unable to- see the viewpoint of the
countries where they were stationed
and misreading opinion in other
countries. Referring to the notorious
Kaiser telegram during the Boer
war he said:
My father was made to send this
telegram. by his political advisers"
Speaking of the beginning of the
war frederick William asserted:
Contrary TO all statements hitherto
made abroad, l never desired war,
and thought the moment quite mop
perfume. l was never consulted, and
the report about a Crown Council
being held in Berlin to decide on the
war | deny on my oath. | was en-
joying a stay at a watering place
when mobilization was ordered.
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 war or the
Russo-Japanese war.
Certain England Would Enter
From the beginning l 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
warliNe intentions. But 1 was only
a soldier with a desire to see the
army kept thoroughly efficient, and
| worked hard to bring this about.
People blamed me with the failure
ut Nerdun. But l refused twice 10
attack here with the troops at my
disposal. OOn he third occasion my
attack was successful Tor the first
three days, but l was not properly
supported.
Thinks Eerdun Attack Mistake
Il thought that the Nerdun attack
was a mistake. We should have at
tackled to the eastward of Eerdun,
where there would have been great
probability of success"
The eX-Crown Prince was rather
bitter regarding the work of the
general staff, which he asserted was
IeSpOnSlble lOI numerous mistakes,
including the attack in March, 1918.
which he was ordered to make, con-
trary to his own view, and was COM
PEELED to obey. He declared that
Ludendorff was the handspring of
Germany's warlike activities, while
Won Hindenburg was a mere figure
head.
Discounted Yankee Strength
Ludendorff and his staff continu-
ally underestimate the enemy's
forces and never believed that Amer
ica's contribution of soldiers was
as great as it actually proved TO be.
Frederick William declared him
self to be an admirer of President
Wilson, Who, he felt assured, would
bring about. a peace of justice for
the German people, and concluded:
Amy humiliation of a nation con-
t2ininS seventy million people would
only leave a feeling of revenge. Such
a nation cannot be crushed. The
armistice terms are very severe and
almost impossible of execution. as
the Entente powers are taking away
a large portion of the means of trans
port"