Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-05
CROWN PRINCE DECLARES
He IS NO FIRE EATER"
says Americans Are Ignorant, OF
Reason for Being in
the War.
HIS VIEW OF FINAL VICTORY
Intention Is ITO Hold Our Own and
Not Let Ourselves Be VanQuished."
German Retirement, He Says, Ac-
cords With Strategy Of Defense.
LBy Associated Prcss.l

AMSTERDAM. September 4.-Thc
German Idea OF victory as defined by
view published in the Budapest Az Est,
is an intention to hold our own and
not let ourselves be vanquished." The
this was clear to him, the moment Eng
land entered the war
The crown prince denied that no was
nre eater, and continued:
If Germany had wanted war we
you'd not have chosen this moment.
No moment could have been more un-
favorable for Germany"
In reply to the question as to how he
thought the end Of the war would come
he replied:
they are not equal to the winning Of
their colossal stake, and that they can
not WIN as much as they are bound to
In discussing the present operations
on the western front, the crown prince
drawal on our front at several places
is often wrongly interpreted in some
circles. Some OF our people are too ac-
customed to continuous advance. and
when battle occurs wherein the enemy
makes attacks and we have to defend
ourselves, the situation is not always
correctly understood. In Judging the
situation. both military and political.
we must mover forget one thing-thar
we are waging a war of defense. The
Sney rs o mot Of fo4 nn sn for she
initiate none OF our enemies. We mea n,
however, to hold our .~n."
Regarding the American forces in
France. the crown prince said:
i've found that the majority don't
know what they are fighting for, but
we feel, OF course, the effect OF the
sent over very much material. and now
are sending very much human ma
we speak openly OF victory" the
crown prince added. The word victory
must not be understood to mean that
we want to annihilate the enemy. but
not let ourselves be vanquished. The
moment England entered the war that
was clear to me. and l always en-
phasized IT.
When the interviewer remarked that
the crown prince was considered abroad
asa ''hre eater" he answered.:
am aware of these accusations.
Do I need to say that not a word Of
them is true?"
Reverting to tho question OF what
nat n, wanted the war: he declared
DECLARES ENGLAND's ENTRY
C0MMERCIAL IN CHARACTER
Belgium. after all. was only pre-
text" he continued. England inter
Vened because German competition was
unbearable.
I'VE are nghting for our existence.
| repeat. our aim, therefore. can only
be to safeguard ourselves"
The enemy assault doubtless will
continue for some time" the crown
prince said. with reference TO the fight
ing on the western front, but our
enemies must themselves sec that they
Will not be able to attain their aim.
Our troops are fighting splcndidly, and
| attribute to their courage the fact
that such colossal superiority in
strength does not crush us"
Discussing the fighting qualities Of
Germany's enemies. he said:
The French tight brilliantly. and
hesitate at any sacrifice. With the
Eng lish the individual man is very
good and tenacious. but that leadership
Is different. Among the Americans. I've
found that the majority do not know
what they are fighting for. asked
an American prisoner what they were
lighting for, and he answered: For
Alsace. and to tho question: Where Is
Alsace? he replied. It's "a big lake."