The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-09-07
LudendorH Bares German
Plot to Rule The World

the negotiations with the United
States The chancellor and the secre-
tary of foreign affairs complained of
the difficulties of communication and
of the resulting antiquities. They had,
of course, to use every possible chance
to avoid a rupture with the United
states, in spite of the existence of the
unrestricted campaign.
DREW UP TERMS FOR WILSON
On January 90, unexpectedly. so far
as l was concerned, Chancellor Won
Bethmann and Secretary Dr. thinner
mann arrived al Pless. We were BID
den to attend a discussion with the
Emperor over a new proposal Tor IN
PREVENTION by President wilson. me
chancellor read a dispatch which ne
had drafted for transmission to Count
Bernstorff, in which he proposed that
we should declare for peace on the
status quo ante basis
So far as I remember the dispatch
proposed the submission to President
Wilson, then or on any later oppor-
tunity, the following claims as the basis
for possible peace negotiations;
Restoration of the portions of
upper Alsace occupied by France;
frontier securing Germany and
Poland strategically and economl-
cally against Russia;
Restoration of colonies on the
basis of an agreement securing to
Germany colonial possessions cor
responding to her population and
her economic interests;
Return to France of the terri
tory occupied by Germany, subject
to strategic and economic recu-
fication of frontier and to finan-
ciai compensation;
Restoration of Belgium, subject
to definite guarantees of Ger
many's safety, which would be ne
gotiated with the Belgian govern
ment;
Economic and financial adjust
ment on the basis of the exchange
of conquered territories given up
by either side to the other on the
conclusion of peace;
Indemnity to German concerns
or subjects injured by the war;
Remuneration of all economic
measures or treaties calculated to
interfere after the conclusion of
peace with normal trade or COM
munication, and the conclusion of
the commercial agreements neces-
sary thereto.
The guaranteeing of the freedom
of the seas.
These are the only German condi-
y
from our side with any cooperation
on my part.
RESENTED SHARING BLAME
The chancellor did not suggest n
postponement of the unrestricted cam
paisn. but the ambassador was author
lied to explain that our government
was ready to order the cessation nf
the campaign Immediately any basis
for peace negotiations was worked out
that offered any real hope of success.
The field marshal and agreed to
this.
The whole discussion took place in
one of the emperor's rooms and oc-
cupied but little time. The empefor's
birthday presents were still lying
about and I remember in particular
fine picture of the cruiser Emden.
I know no more than the above as to
the circums tances surrounding this
diplomatic step, nor the course which
it followed. mentioned to the field
marshal, after the discussion was
| over, my resentment at the manner in
which our cooperation in these ire
mendousIy Important decisions had
been obtained. Although we had no
| clear knowledge of the situation, we
had to bear our share of the moral re-
spOnsibiIity.
| On January 81 our note as to the
| Q6ClaTdllOn OIL the submarine CampdlS
| was delivered in Washington, as also
| l assume, was the kovernme nts above
| mentioned proposal of January 20.
After January there were no mill
| tary reasons whatever to cause either
the field marshal or myself to modify
| our views as to the urgent need fol
| the unrestricted campaign.
According to a report from the Chic
! of the Naval Staff in Vienna. the Aus
| tro-Hungarian Government also decided
| to wage unrestricted warfare with thei
| submarines. I welcomed with gratitude
! this loyal act on the part of our allies
| which l had, of course, confidently eX
pected. The new campaign could onl,
be effective if it included the Mediter
ranean, where prospects of success
seemed particularly good: the importan
| thing was to sink as much shipping a
possible. Gen. Won Conrad had also ad
vocated the adhesion of Austria to tn
campaign.
DENIES COERCION OF AUSTRI4
When later, in 1918, Count Czerni
stated that he had adopted this poin
in order to avoid a quarrel with Ger
many he stated something that wa
quite new to me. There was neve
any idea of bringing military pres
sure to bear on Austria Hungary.
In judging public opinion on the mat