The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-09
Commander Had Pre-
monitions and at Times
When Things Looked
Blue for the Huns, Was
Anxious to Call It OFF.
Now, the General Says in a
Book, He Is Finding Time to
Write, He Is With the Gov
eminent.
By GEN. F.RLIcH LUDENDoRrr.

By GEN. ERLICH LUDENDORFT.
tChicf Of tho German General stan
During tho Great War;
tWhile staying at the home OF his
hrother-in law, in Stockholm. General
LudendorY has been writing a book
In which he gives an account OF his
participation in the war. He seeks
to Justify his conduct In this article
the general forecasts the spirit of his
book.-Edltor.)
Stockholm, March s.-Since 7 was
called to the supreme army command
chance Of peace by Cancellation or
negotiation, 20 far as know. The
possibility Of any such peace wa.
never shown to me
There are elements among the peo-
nle OF Germany who have been in
cited to believe that / had been ar
obstacle TO peace when peace by ne
COLLATION. was possible. These persons
do not know what they are talking
about
am ready At any time TO give a
full account OF my actions ard can
Justify everything I have done. To-
uation and am Ntlffng to serve my
country.
Tho supreme army command knew
nothing OF President Wilson's intsu,
ton OF proposing peace negotiations
The German emperor. on January 3
1917. made his dscisfon which meant
ruthless submarine war. tnd the su.
preme army command had TO obey
orderA Any subsequent action on the
part Of President Wilson could no,
change the policy designated by the
emperor.
NOT OPPOSED TO PEACE.
have never been opposed to peace.
As early a. in the spring OF 1919
when we we're still vtctoriously inyad-
ing France and the British were
pulsed back TO the channel coast
fighting with their back to the wall.
as they said. 7 connded to party lead
ers who were close to me that In my
opinion II would be best to make
peace as quickly as possible.
I repeated this advice TO party lead
ers in more formal manner on June
I, tsls-~shat Ia. at a time when there
fwas.no thought OF German revsrses-
However, early In July I still hoped
II would be possible to force a peace
by continuous attacks upon ne enemy
lines. These hopes were dashed 10
earth on July ! 5, when the tables were
turned and the German rcveryee be-
gan. After the severe defeat OF Au-
gust / gave up the last vestige OF
hope.
The morale OF our armies was van
ishing and there was no longer any
prospect OF bringing about a military
decision sufficiently favorable to US
which would compel q peace.
In the middle Of August I advised
the German government there was no
- -s~AA
counselled the opening OF peace nego-
tiations right then and there. Blu,
nothing was done. The government
did not even notify the party leaders
and my advice was kept = secret.
READY TO DROP OUT.
Early In September the supreme
army command again emphasized ii
readiness to accept immediate peace
Any sort OF peace would be welconas
was tho decision. Tho government
seemed to be for peace. too, but die
nothing.
In the middle Of September We 70.
neved our request for some step fol
an immediate beginning Of peace
lpourparlers and made 1t very urgent
After Bulgaria had deserted us
made it plain to all who came in con.
tact with me that continuance o.
lighting was useless. and every ia,
added to the agony which would onI,
mean SO much more life and BLOOD
needlessly wasted. The situation wa.
sc bad r told thetT that the"e nern,
even had a chance to break through
our lines. ...Sa5.s5gs & s
When Mr.. wilson's seconsi answe,
arrived II became evident that the en-
jtente was determined to humiliat,
and destroy Germany. Then ! begaI
to prepare for a continuation Of de-
feDsive fighting. Prince Max. OF Ba
den, then chancellor OF Germany. Il
quoted as saying the military authors
ties had been under q delusion up Il
October /, but II he included me II