Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-19
Never Desired War, He Says Defensive Strength from
 Start Was Poor.
FIELD MARSHAL IS
 WITNESS IN PROBE
Failure of Army and Forces at Home to Work Properly Together Is
 Ascribed as Reason for Failure.
(By The Associated Press.)

Albert, German under secretary of state, and formerly commercial at tache in the German embassy at Washington, predicted in 1916, with unerring accuracy the decisive effect of Americas entry into the war would have.
 A report which he made at that time to the German government, read today before the subcommittee of the national assembly investlgat- ing war responsibility, gave clear warning of the feeling in the United States, of America's efficiency, of hel financial powers, and of her intense leanings toward the entente and declared that, in case of America 3 participation, neutral nations would side with America; the psychologi- cal effect would be felt at once; it would be a national misfortune and Germany would be defeated"
 Dr. Albert asserted than that America could raise several army corps and that she would energeti- cally support the allies with huge loans; that the Lafayette flying squadron, "that dangerous branch of warfare" without doubt would be vastly strengthened, and that Amer ica's transportation would be effi- cient and capable of increase.
 Field Marshal von Hindenburg, who was the star witness today, had before him the task of answering SIX questions which were prepared be- forehand by. the subcommittee. Among other things he said that Germany did not desire war and that Germany's defensive strength from the very stswt was unfavorable. It was the lack of cooperation between the army and "interests at home. which had influenced the defeat ot Germany.
 "I know with absolute certainty that neither the people, the kaiser nor the government desired war. for the government knew better than others Germany's tremendously diff ficult position in a war against the entente" Won Hindenburg said. .,
 Germany's defensive strength, sa,d the field marshal, was unfavorab:e as possible from the start. It might be left to history to declde why Germanys peace policy haa failed.
 If the military authorities pre- pared for the possibility o1 an un- avoidable war; he continued, that was only it's duty toward the nation If there had been solid, united co, operation between the army an1 homeland we could have attalneo victory. .,,
 "While with the enemy notwlth standing it's superiority, all partles were united more firmly in the deter imitation to be victorious, with us al though we were numerically inferior interests at home made their lnflu ence felt. and this state of affairs let to the breaking of the will to VIC tory" :. In all great decisions Ludendorf and himself were of one mind; tha had worked in full accord iron August 29, 1916, to the end, he said
 "We considered unrestricted sub marine war imperative immedlatel! we entered the supreme command, said the field marshal. When l9l' came we could no longer permit oul gallant soldiers to be bombardet with American ammunition and theil wives and children starved by th' blockade. The U-boat war was thu only means to oppose those condl tions."
 Won Hindenburg and Ludendorf1 found the corridors leading to tht conlmitte room crowded to the doors with admirers and others, who by divers means had secured admission On the witness stand reposed Do. auet tied with the German colors. Skeptical of Wilson.
 Deputy Gothein, president of the subcommittee, held a reception and thanked the field marshal. who re. piled that he was glad to come, be' cause it was his duty, especially. to appear with "my true comrade." 1 in his testimony General Luden. dorff said that the high command first refrained from beginning the U-boat campaign because the chan cellor at that time feared an attack by Holland and Denmark, owing te the pressure bf Great Britain and there were n9 troops then to meet new enemies.
 The high command was skeptlca regarding President Wilson's peace move, but expressed approval of this and also approved Germany's peace move, and endeavored not to thwart political peace steps. He had always regarded Count von Bernstorff's ac. tivities as unsympathetic. He believ' ed that Won Bernstorff had not fur. nished the chancellor with correct Tn