New-York tribune., 1919-11-19

Lays Defeat to.
Folk at Home
Absolves Kaiser of Blame
and Admits He Advocated
Unrestricted U-Boat War:
Ludendorff Also Testifies

BERLIN, Nov. IS (By The Associated
Press) Field Marshal Won linden
burg declared before the sub-commit-
tee of the National Assembly investi
eating war esponsibility: II know
with absolute certainty that neither the
people, the Kaiser nor the government
desired war, for the government knew
better than others Germany's tremen-
dously difficult position in il war against
the Entente"
Germany's defensive strength, said
the field marshal was as unfavorable
as possible from the start. 1t might
be left to history to decide why Ger
many's peace policy had failed
'1f the military authorities prepared
for the possibility of an unavoidable
war;" continued Won Hindenburg, "that
was only their duty toward the nation.
If there had been solid, united CO.
operation between army and homeland
we could have attained victory
while with the enemy, notwith-
standing his superiority. all parties
were united ever more firmly in the
determination to be victorious, with us,
although We were numerically inferior.
interests at home made their influence
felt, and this state of affairs led to the
breaking of the will to victory"
Favored U-Boat Warfare
In all great decisions LudendorfT and
himself were OF one mind. They had
worked n full accord from August 20,
1916, to the end
we considered unrestricted >sub-
marine war imperative Immediately
we entered the supreme command"
said the field marshal. when 1917
came we could not longer permit our
gallant soldiers to be bombarded with
American ammunition and their wives
and children starved by the blockade
The U-boat war was the only means to
oppose those conditions"
Won Hindenburg aud Ludendorff
found the corridors leading to the
committee room crowded to the doors
with admirers and hers, who by
divers means had obtained admission.
On the witness stand teposed bouquet
tied with the German colors.
Deputy Gothein, president of the sub
held a reception and thanked
the field marshal, who replied that he
was glad to come, because it was his
duty, especially to appear with my
true comrade."
Six Questions Propounded
The subcommittee had prepared six
questions, which had been unlimited
70 Won Hindenburg on Saturday, to
enable him to study them and prepare
his answers. The questions were:
"First--From what time did the
upper army leadership consider sharp
ened submarine war avodable. and
for what reasons?
"Second-Did. the army leadership
know of reasons against the sub
marines and the opening OF submarine
war from the declarations of Under
Secretaries of State Hanicl and AL
bert. Why did the army leadership
submarine war as no longer sound?
"Third-Why did the army lead rship
accelt. as in the telegram of Won
December %, 1916. TO
Chancellor Won Bethmann, the state
ment that the Wilson reace was called
forth by Eng and and not agree to
the peace proposal made by the i'm
perial leaders?
81 ourth- Was the army leadershi,
familiar with the various details of
President Wilson's action, especiall
on January y, l9I !, as the decision to
begin U-boat warfare was taken? Were
the reports from Bernstorf during the
period December p to January 9 ia
miliar?
"Fifth-Dd the army leadership as
sumo that England could be compelled
to peace at the latest in July, 1917, as
contained in the memorandum OF the
admiralty staff?
"Sixth-General Ludendorff assumes
IN his book that on January 20, in
from headquarters with
the government, delay in the sub
marine war had not been demanded,
while Chancellor Won Bethmann. in his
statement before the committee de-
clared that he had made such de-
mand How is this contradiction to be
explained"
Reports From America Read
Chairman Gothen tried to have Won
Hindenburg answer the questions sep
arately. but ne declared that he must
mix them up. The questions were
,aaC CO1 fiuned nm merit 7,1oo