The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-13
A RAvARIAN PROTEST.
frnssian Antocracy Denounced, and
Emperor William Blamed for the
War.

=
tors are dropping behind the Ger
man lines and upon German cities
and towns thousands of copies OF an
appeal written by Bavarian urging
MS compatriots to protest against
Prussian tyranny and autocracy
The document was found recently
on a Bavarian prisoner of war captur-
ed by the French In IL the writer
places upon Emperor William the
guilt OF the war and expresses other
sentiments against Prussian militarism
well known TO exist In Bavaria. de-
spite frequent official testimonials OF
alleged solidarity and unity between
the two German states -
AS It's circulation i'm Germany Is. of
course. prohibited. the French au-
thorities undertook its distribution by
air route. Some copies accidentlly
have fallen on the French lines. The
document reads:
THE frightful misery which be-
cause OF the war has spread also to
Bavaria, and which is leading our Ba-
varian people TO almost certain ruin,
imposes upon us the sacred duty of
thinkins OF the welfare OF our coun-
try and our compatriots.
Who Is IL that has led us to this
abyss OF perditioI? Let us be frank.
IN A. not ,,roa,,.., ,,,,~,,.. ....u-.u. n. a.,
not the English and the French.
Neither Is Ia other countries that we
call the entente! The guilty ones.
one can say in all conscience today.
are solely and only the Prussians. or
more precisely. there Is but one guilty
party--the King of Prussia. The Off
cial assertion that our adversaries
started the war against us and men
aced us. us and our own. is false
hood.
Now the King of Prussia has tile
right. In the name of Bavaria. to de-
clare war and make peace.
What the atroclous misery this
country suffers 'signifies--a misery that
shouts TO heaven--must make US real
ize II cruelty. Prussia, by its abso-
lutist political situation. is obliged to
no to war at longer or shorter periods
IL for nothing else than to sustain
the interests OF its dominating clique.
The history OF Prussia is one of con
tinual war with more or less lengthy
Interruptions. Are not the Prussian n
country squires (hobereaux) already
talking. despite the terrible misery, OF
the next war?
'"rhe present war. also, Is not at
all In the interests OF Bavaria. but Is
solely gamble for the power of tn,
Prussian state. it's military and its
agrarIans
We Bavarians are not I'm any way
I'm opposition to the interests of the
peoples whom we are lighting. On
the contrary France. for example, has
notably favored our country and our
people during the course of history.
Among the governments that are our
as one of its war aims the extinc-
ton OF our country. But the war
hinges entirely. and with good right
against Prussia which, with the Rus
sin OF other days. is the most cor
rupt state in Europe. The sons OF
Bavaria sacrifice their lives by hun
dreds OF thousands for this Prussia.
for this country which a few decades
ago. In 1866. took away n part of our
territory and an enormous war indem-
nifty.
And even if II were possible to be
victorious what can our country. what
may we Bavarians expect from such a
victory As little as nothing.
"All the precious Bavarian blood.
all the mourning. the stirring. horrible
suffering OF our compatrlots, OF our
women and our children. all the lives
sacrificed and ruined and all the ma =
terial losses; all of that has gone for
nothing! All the sacrifices have been
without object. they haven't even been
for the defense OF our country for II
has net been menaced. hut merely
have been for the conservation of
Prussian power. In addition. as allies
OF Prussia. we have drawn upon u.
the hatred and disapprobation of the
entire world.
"Compatriots. the hour has come
when we must reflect whether we
wish TO continue on TO utter loss OF
whether we want To unite in an effort
Co save what may yet be saved. Each
work I'm hia own circle runLInp