The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-09
Hinde nburg and
Lu de ndorff Had
No Idea America
Could Do Any
thing, as Interview
in 1916 Shows, and
They Knew Moth
ing Of Seething
Russia
BY KARL H. WIECAND.

NVV THAT the Allies did not &C.
M complish in 1915 they
could not accomplish in
1s1s: the goal now set for 1917. namely
the defeat Of Germany, will not be at
tanned by them in that year. nor in
1918. Let them come on. They have
lost approximately 100000 men In
dead, wounded, sick and prisoners. II
they could not win with them they
cannot win without them"
There was no tone Of Boosting in
the voice Of Field Marshal Paul Won
Beneckendorff und Hindenburg. But
there was defiance. The Wotan OF
the German war gods spoke with quiet
hnality as IL he believed what he said.
But II America should come in7" I
asked.
THAT would not change the situa-
ton" interposed Ludendorff, sitting on
my right. He thinks and speaks much
quicker than the old Field Marshal.
America is already doing US all the
harm she can" added Hndenburg.
Permit me. Herr General Field
msrschal,/ don't you underrate
AMERICAS vast resources, human and
material. and perhaps also the spirit
that might be aroused In her people?"
asked. Judgment and reason would
seem 10 counsel caution against en-
barking on any course that would
draw the United States Into the con-
hict. II Is not unreasonable TO assume
that she might turn the scales against
YOU" 1 added
The grim old war god. the idol OF
tho German people. gazed long and
deep into the dinner plate in front OF
him az II he would read the future in
the porcelain.
Not resources as such, but re-
sources through resourcefulness trans
formed into active fighting power COM
bined with the highest efficiency, that
power permeated with the indomitable
spirit OF a united people imbued with
the will TO victory of a nation fighting
in a righteous cause. the whole GEN.
tralized and directed with intelligence
that is what makes for victory In
war"
Predictions for 1910.
1t was long sentence for the terse
.aconic old Field Marshal. Whateve,
his faults and weaknesses, volubilitJ
vas not one Of them. Slowly, deliber'
ateiy. punctuated with pauses, hi
spoke in his jerky but forceful manner
Again Ludendorff broke in Will
something to add: Before your coun
try reaches that stage-a very Ions
process--and makes it felt on this sid'
It will all be over" he said.
The place. grand general headquar
tors OF the German armies-in the vii
tage OF Pless on the vast estate or thu
Prince Of Pless in Silesia near the Rus
sian border. The scene, the dinini
room In the living quarters of thu
kaiser's military adviser and Chief
the General Staff--a large farmhouse
The time. the evening OF December
1916. Present, Field Marshal Won Hin
denburG; his chief OF strategy. Gen
Erich Ludendorff several members o
their staff and an American CORE
tpondcnt.
Conversation around the long dininl
table lulled. Every member of the stat
present wanted to lose not word
tho discussion between the two great
est OF the German military chieftain
and the war correspondent All eye
were on Hindenburg. Outside the coll
December wind moaned dismall
through the leafless trees. There Wa
an atmosphere Of gravity, as IL vita
decisions were pending, which even tn