The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-02
GERMANS SAW
YEAR AGO
"White Book" Published at
Weimar Bares Last Drive
for "Victory Peace"
MIsLED BY LUDENDORFF
Generals Capitulation Laid to
Bad Case of Nerves by
Prince Max.
By As Associated Press.

BERLIN, July 81 (deiayed) A white
Book" was published at weimar to-
day containing all the documents re-
lating to the period from August Is to
November IL last dealing with the
peace offer of the German Government
and the armistice.
In a preface the Government says It
decided upon publication OF the docu-
ment because the people want to know
the truth. One OF the most important
negotiations dealt with by the White
Book is the conference in which EN-
pcror William took part at Spa on Au-
gust IL, 1913, at which 1t was decided
that Gen. Ludendorff's declaration that
the war could be won was wrong, and
that an understanding between Ger
many. and the enemy must be reached.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburs and
Dr. Michaelis, the Imperial Chancellor
thought 1t would be possible for the
Germans to remain on French territory
and thus retain a pledge for the peace
| negotiations, the documents show.
Hfndenburg's Plans Fail.
The previously held belief that the
attempt to start negotiations must bs
made through a neutral was altered by
this conference. Field Marshal Won Hin.
denburg was still opposed TO a direct
appeal to the enemy. while sanctionine
the idea of working through a neutra
Power. Meanwhile Austria had to be
consulted because of the special plani
she was making.
September 21. the book reveals, do
veloped a decision to appeal directly tc
the United States. Admiral Won Hintze
who was then Foreign Secretary. 1,
quoted as replying to a question on tha,
date as follows:
"On order of his Majesty and by agree
ment with the Chancellors at Vienna and
Constantinople. advise an offer of peace
be made on the basis OF President vii.
sons fourteen points and that ne be In.
vited to call a peace conference in Wash.
ington, after demanding an immediate
armistice. II our allies agree, the newly
forming German Government will find
a proper way to get the offer TO Presi-
dent Wilson" kilograms on the subject
were sent to Vienna and Constantinople
the same day.
The affair entered a new phase at this
point. for the army leaders, who had
previously insisted upon their ow.
strength, now demanded that the mill.
tary situation be relieved instantly by
peace.
Instant Action Urged.
On October 1 several telephone mes
sages and kilograms arrived from Grea'
Headquarters saying II was uncertain
what might happen at the front from
moment to moment and that a break wal
imminent. Gen. LudeAdorff declared thai
the peace offer must be despa tched in
stantly, while he held up the army's re-
treat for forty eight hours
On October 2 Prince Macmillan Of
Baden appeared before the party leaders
of the Reichstag and opposed any actiof
toward peace by that body because tho
military situation was critical and ht
/ feared that such action would affect the
developments unfavorably. He said ht
had been offered the Chancellorship OF
October / on condition that he would
make peace Immediately.
On October 2 Gen. Ludendorff askeS
for summary OF the proposed peace
note and telephoned his suggestions re
garding 1t. The note to the United States
| was formulated at Great HeadQuarter.
on the night of October "a.
Prince Macmillan declared he fought
against the note because he considered
| the time premature. He said he thought
Gen. Ludendorff had been affected by q
case of nerves and that the situation wal
not so serious as the General painted II