South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-09
DEFENDS KAISER
IN COMING BOOK
German Writer Says Wilhelm
Did Not Want War. and
Tells of interviews.

BERLIN. April "a spirited de-
fense OF the former German emperor
against charges that he had any re-
spOnsibility for the starting OF the
world war is made by OR. karl Helf-
ferich, IN MS book entitled "Pre-war
j History" which will be issued i'm
fortnight and which VIII be followed
in six months by a sequel on the war
Itself
The former minister OF finance
sketches a vivid picture OF tha en-
Dero-'s protests OF innocence and
badness at the outbreak OF hOstuities
IN talk on August IS, 1914, at the
royal castle in CCblenze. The Ger
man arms had been victorious and
fortunate outcome OF the war seemed
eertain when Dr. Helntrich saw
the kaiser for an hour in the castle
park.
The kaiser spoke about the ire
mendOUs occurrences of the Lass
weeks In the most inconsiderate way
and made upon me the impression
OF man who Notwithstanding that
fort1ns was smiling upon his affairs.
was shaken TO tho depths ana heav-
is weighed down with the respOnsi-
bility OF his decisions" says Dr.
Helherch.
Wished for Peace"
He described TO me, IN his own
lively way the events which led TO
the war. He called on Cod as his
witness that he had been inspired
durins his entire rule by 40 higher
and hOlier wish than To- maintain
peace for his people and better it's
lots through peaceful work and for
tunate conditions OF living
He recalled his last meeting with
bis cousins. the car and the king of
England, at the castle In Berlin on
the occasion Of the marriage of his
daughter in the yedr 1913 and spoke
Of the cOmpOsuIe he felt regarding
the peaceable intentions Of Russia
and England. lie was unable to get
used 20 the idea that all the assur-
pEces Of friendship and peace had
been lies and deception. yet he nad
convinced himself from the course
pf events that the Blresys then urder
Gas iCCf already bore plot asalrs-
3ermary in their hearts.
from the moment when the seri-
business of the situation had come to
his consciousness ne had emplored
md bagged the king Of England and
he car 10 save the WORLD from the
Misfortune OF war. He had to limit
ne possibility Of putting pressure on
Emperor Francis Joseph. The kali
FER implored the car up TO the last
noment 10 stop Russian mobilization
Which would compel us 10 strike.
"Hesitated To Mobilize"
Until after the Russian mobiiiza-
ion and against the advice OF his
wn military aides. ne had given
Russia one last chance, but every
hing went Tor naught Thrice he
oOk his pen in hand before he
isned the mobilization order His
responsibility for his own people
nally left him no other choice. our
ate was now i'm Gods hands.
DR.. Helner.ch further quotes the
mperor regarding the future of
germany in case il should be victor
BUS The most important thing for
i'm was that out of the war sound
food sense and peaceful cOopera-
ion OF the peoples of the European
ointment should result. This hith-
rto had been impossible. because Of
rance German contrasts. and peace
must be concluded in such way
4 hat this goal would be obtainable."
RESPECTED France"
The French he believed 90 be
nightly nation with high concep-
on of honor for which he had al
Fays had respect and whose recon
iliation with Germany ne had al
avs desired. lie could understand
bat the French nation found il diff
ult after the decision of 1870 TO
ubmit without another appeal to
be fortune OF arms. He hoped hat
fter this war the French would
ave the feeling that honor had been
atisfed, and at the conclusion Of
eace a bisis could lie created for
be honorable coOpera sion OF the two
reat European peoples Of culture i'm
olitics and economic life.
That is the man, concludes DR..
elferich. whom our enemies -
nd. what is worse, people OF our
wn blOOd-would like TO brand
ith the stigma Of being the cause
the war. a bloody conquerOr and
ppressor. 1 am thoroughly con
snced that Wilhelm III knew no
igher goal than 10 keep peace for
be German people and the world"