The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-06-25
AUSTRIAN SOLDIER
WRITES BOOK ON
WARS BEGINNING
HOetzendOrf Explains Why All
Vienna Factions Demanded
Voice in Punishment Melted
Out to Serbian Assassin.

BERLIN. June 25. Correspondence
Of the Associated Press.)-The events
surrounding the drafting and dispatch
ing Of the Austrian ultimatum to Ser
bia which inaugurated the world war,
are given in their first application IN
the forthcoming publication Of the wal
recollections of Conrad Won Hoetzen-
dorf, the former Austro- Hungarian
field marshal.
The advanced proofs Of the volume
which is entitled THE Road to thu
Catastrophe" indicate that II win prove
q significant parallel to Gen. Luden-
dorffs memoirs because Of its dra-
matte and intimate revelations Of Aus
tro-Hungarian diplomacy and war poll
cies and because OF the candor with
which II Emperor Charles, the
cooperation of the German n Austro-
Hungarian general staff, the relations
Of the former Emperor Francis Joseph
n the German Emperor William, the
social and political intriguing Of the
Austrian Empress Zita and the whole
hierarchy of the Austrian g~randdukes,
The volume is compiled by Karl No
wax, an author and journalist and for
merly wal correspondent OF the Co
logne Gazette, who for two years was
assigned in a personal capacity to Mar
shall Won Hoetzendorf's headquarters.
Nowak reported the war on all the east
ern fronts and while his name nomi-
nally appears on the title page, the
volume Is known to be Won Hoetzen-
DORIS authorized and personally re-
vised recollections.
Discussing the events Immediately
following the assassination Of Arch
duke Frederick at Sarajevo, Nowak
states that few, II any people knew
the plans Of Count Won Berchtold, then
Austro- Hungarian foreign minister. Not
even the high military officials were
informed nor was II known whether he
was communicating with Berlin, &C
cording to the writer.
Indignation Over Murder.
Indignation in political and diplo-
matte circles ran high as a result Of
the murder" reads the memoirs. Mill
tary leaders quoted Won Moltke's words:
We know the catastrophe will come
some day; the sooner the better for
us,
This was the situation Marshal Won
Hoetzendorf found on his return from
a feigned holiday In the Tyrol where
he went after the killing of the Arch
duke at Sarajevo, in order to create
the impression that the situation was
not menacing to the peace Of Europe.
Nowak describes the episode of the ulti-
matum to Serbia as follows:
THE ministers were summoned to
~Ballhausplatz (foreign Officer Won
HoetZendorf, hen chief of the general
staff, was hurriedly recalled from Tyrol
where he was on leave granted him
after the Sarajevo assassination. Count
Won B~erchtold, who conducted the de-
liberations, consulted the general in
purely military matters. His opinion
was sought only in connection with the
military prospects. The diplomatic sit
uation was not mentioned nor was any
reference made either to the Serbian
ultimatum or to any other ultimatum.
"Von H~oetzendorf frankly analysed
every possible hostile constellation and
did not conceal his conviction that the
Austro- Hungarian monarchy was un-
equal to the demands or war on three
fronts. He referred to similar views
previously expressed In the preceding
years, In which he had pointed on
exactly such complications and entered
upon minute consideration of every
emergency growing out of a possible
international clash.
Monarchy's Interests.
Count Won Berchtold asked him
whether the prospects for the mon.
archy would improve In the course o.
the next few years. Won Hoetxendort
spoke Of Hungarian opposition to hug,
armament credits and the speed will
which other nations were arming. He
declared that he would be guilty Of ly,
ing II he said the chances OF the mon
archy later on would me more aus
piclous. On the contrary, he believed
they were bound to grow worse In tn,
face of the prevalent Discrimination t
grant war credits and the growing ma
tionalistic propaganda, His advice rep.
resented the frank judgment Of a mill
tary expert given solely in reply to thu
minister's demand. Count Won Berch'
told sought no further information anC
the conference disbanded.
For a decisive conference on tn,
ultimatum the ministers were sum
moned three days later to Count vol
Berchtold's residence. Emperor Fran
els Joseph was not present, but Coun
Tisza, the Hungarian premier; Coun
Won Stuergh, the Austrian premier
Marshal Won HoetEendorf; Minister o
War Korbatin, and one naval exper
were present, Count 0 Berchtol,
again conducted the deliberations. Tw
ministerial officials were called In t
assist In the technicalities Of draftin
the note, Ven Berchtold read the ulti
matum. Nobody objected. Count Tisz
alone wavered for a moment. The com
plications which might threaten to af
feet the national problems Of Hungar