Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-31
GERMAN RECORDS
POINT TO AMERICA
AS DEC|D|NG FORCE
White Book DiscIoses Utter
HopeIessness at Berlin
as U. S. Army Grew.
LUDENDORFF FORCED
TO ADMIT WAR LOST
Leaders of Empire Saw Absolute
Surrender as Inevitable If
Struggle Continued.

Struggle Continued.
Genuine fear of Americas endeavor
IN the world war and utter hopeless
ness that Germany ever could emerge
successfully after the full power of
the United States was thrown into
the struggle are admitted in a copy
of the latest German white book is
sued by the Berlin government which
has reached the United States and has
been made public.
The question as to whether Amer;-
can endeavor was really the deciding
factor in the momentous struggle on
the battlef1elds of Europe. an issue
around which there has been much
discussion. not only in the United
States but among all European coun-
tries, is definitely answered by the
Germans themselves in the record of
the conversations that passed between
the political and military leaders of
Germany previous to final capitula-
ton.
survey or CONDITIONS.
German political leaders, according
to the white book. summoned Gen.
Ludendorff to the conference of Octo-
Der II. 1918. that they might get a
complete survey OF military condi-
tions and know what to expect. 1t
was this famous conference which
really decided for acceptance of Pres
ident Wilson's terms, bitter though
they were.
A searching QUESTIONABLE was laid
twisted and turned, appealed to the
political leaders to sustain the troops
at the front and to send him as large
reinforcements as possible, he was
compelled to admit that by the spring
of 1919 the American forces would be
so large as to overwhelm ,the Ger
man armies. no matter what efforts
were made toSreinforce them from the
eastern front and from Germany at
large.
When the council was informed by
him and the other officers in attend
ance that the American Army would
reach the tremendous number of g.
100000 by spring. and that it was
well equipped and fully provisioned,
the hopelessness of continuing the
struggle was borne in upon every
one present, and all that remained
was to secure the best terms they
could get as soon as possible
Feared Absolute Surrender.
The fear was expressed that If the
struggle were prolonged it would no
longer be a question of negotiations.
but one of absolute surrender The
chancellor recognized the fact that
President Wilson was really render
ing Germany service in securing
the offer of the armistice. and it was
feared that If this was not accepted
Great Britain and France would in
sist upon the invasion Of Germany
and the crushing Of her forces
When on November 5, 1918, Gen.
, Groener delivered a speech before
the assembled council it was plain
to all that notwithstanding his ap-
peals for support. the army was upon
the point of breaking down utterly.
Americas Part in War.
When the question Of Americas
part in the war came up for discus
sion the following is the account in
the white book:
The Chancellor-One more question.
How many Americans reach France
each month?
Col Heye-The average Of the last
month was 100000.
Gen. Ludendorfr-In April, May and
June the average was $4,000.
The Chancellor-How great will the
strength of the American Army be by
next spring?
Col Heye-The American command
figures the present strength at Zoo, 900.
For next spring they estimate 2,300, 900.
The question as to American SUD-
plies being answered favorably, discus
sion passed to other opposing forces,
and Gen. Ludendorff was compelled to
admit that by spring not only would he
be far outnumbered, but also that the
German spirit would be greatly under
mined.
Austrian Catastrophe.
At the session of the conference held
In the afternoon Won Payer asked Gen.
Ludendorn how the Austrian catastro-
phe would affect the military position Of
Germany. He replied:
THE falling away of Austria will
have very unfortunate effect upon our
troops The Italian army will be free
making our position still worse"
Other officers reported upon various
fronts. but no encouraging conclusion
could be reached When the conference
adjourned many questions had not beer
answered and the feeling of more O,
less hopelessness was general.
Further conferences took place from
time to time. and as the reports showed
the decline Of fighting power on the
part Of Germany, increased disturbances,
at home and ever-increasing pressure OF
the enemy forces. 1t was determined OF
November to hold a final meeting.
Gen. Groener's Statement.
At this meeting Gen. Groener de
clared:
1.-THE supreme army command can
not much longer defer>its decision al
to Withdrawing still further. 1t Ia
1Coniinned- on Third Pase.)