The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-09
READY FOR WAR
BEFORE STARTED
Seven Months Before the First
Gun, Germany Had Issued
Orders to Her
Army.
SECRETS ARE REVEALED
French Have Copies Of All Govern
ment Orders From Early Date
Up to the Present
Program.
SECRETS ARE REVEALED
LBy Henry Wood, United Press Stan
COrreSuOndent


WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
THE FIELD, March 16.-(By mail)
The French have today in their
possession copies of an astounding
series Of military and government
orders showing Germany's prapara-
ton for the present war from Janu-
ary 2, 1914-seven months before war
actually was declared-down to the
kaiser's latest efforts to spread
worldwide revolution and anarchy.
The first indication that the Ger.
man general staff knew war would
be forced in 1914 is given IN an order
addressed on January to the COM
manders of all army regions. IL
reads:
"Within three days you will tele-
graph the precise quantity, kinds and
distribution of all military provisions
which you have intact, ana OF ali
primary materials"
This was Germany's first step OF
military preparation. Her hrst step
of financial preparation followed on
February 18 when the German MIN
lister Of finance, in agreement with
the Austro-Hungarian government
sent to all groups of German banks
secret circular which read:
"The directors of credit estaol1sh-
ments are designated to establish,
with urgence, agencies In the follow
ing places: Lulea (southern Sweden), !,
Haparanda and Varde on the flniand
frontier; and at Bergen and Amster
dam. The establishment of these
agencies is indispensable for the
exercise of a more active surVeli-
lance of the material interests or
German stockholders in RUSSIA,
French and English enterprises, ana
which may become necessary In GER
tain circumstances modifying the or
eanization of the financial and indus
trial market.
On March s, 1914, the German i'm
perial staff began the census OF the
material it might have at its disposal
for the war then in view, with the
aid of all inspectors OF mines and
factories.
Then on June 9, came the most in
dicatiye order of all. 1t reads as
follows:
"Twenty-four hours after the re-
ceipt of this circular, telegraph Or
ders to the proprietors OF all lndus-
trial enterprises to open the sealed
envelopes containing the drawings
and plans of mobilization indicated
in the circular Of the commission OF
Count Waldersee and Count Caprivi
of June 27, 1887
From the very moment 1t became
apparent that Germany could not win
the war by the sheer brute force or
her military supremacy there began
a second preparation to win II
nossible. by the other German means
of sabotage. revolution. terrorism
and corruption.
On November 2, 1914, the German
general staff inaugurated this new
preparation" by sending circular
TO all of it's military agents on the
frontiers of Russia, France, Italy and
Norway, advising them that in all
the branches of German banks In
Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and the
limited States, special military
credits have been opened, destined
for the accessory needs of the war.
"The German general staff author
ICES YOU to have recourse in un-
limited proportions for the purpose
of destroying buildings. factories,
supply houses and the provisions OF
the more important kind, both of
military and civil nature. belonging
TO the enemy" the circular said
while trying TO bring about
strikes, it is necessary to take steps
for the sabotage Of motors and ma
chinery, for the destruction of yes
sells Transporting war material TO the
enemy's country. to burn the reserve
stocks of primary materials and
goods, and to cut off the
grand manufacturing centers from
their supplies of electricity. coal and
food"
The circular concludes by saying:
Especial agents put at your dispo-
sition will furnish you with the
necessary materials for provoking
explosions and fires, also list OF
persons of the country under your