Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-29
By General Erich Iudeudorfs

Mine has been life of work for
our country the emperor and the
army. During the four years of war
lived only for the war.
My days followed a regular plan.
All the time | was chief of the staff
in the east and had direct, control Of
troops everything was determined by
the requirements Of the military situa-
ton. / was in the office from six or
seven 10 the morning until late at
night.
When | was the first quarternaster-
general | used to start work when the
front was quiet, about o'clock. The
field marshal arrived perhaps an
hour later, and we would briefly dis
cuss military events and plans and
any pending questions,
AT ~ noon we made our report to
His Majesty the Emperor.
At one sharp we went to luncheon,
which lasted half or three quarters OF
an hour. Before half-past three /
was again in the office. At eight we
had dinner. and after an interval of
IAN hour and half we resumed work
until 2 or one at night.
This monotony was but seldom in
five days war leave / was not alto
Eether flee Of duty.
Close Touch With the Front on
Whole Great Battle Line
was in telephone and telegraphic
communication with all parts of the
front ard With the general headquar-
tiers of oar allies The armies sent in
regular morning and evening reports,
but continuous reports were furnished
when anything unusual occurred,
The telephone formations belonging
II the staff of the commander-in-
chief in the east, and the field tele-
graph service of general headquar-
tiers, which were responsible for the
details of intercommunication worked
extraordinarily well.
On the one hand it was necessary
to obtain a clear idea of all events
that took place on any part of the
enormously extended fronts. but, on
the other hand. it was uncommonly
difficult to feel the pulse of the fight
ing Immediately. But it was abso-
lutely essential that general head
quarters should be informed of all
important events at once, as only too
often the shortage of reserves obliged
US " uldht lIlIlltuliNt ttClolOllo VI tilC
very greatest Importance
Could Not Look Into Future
The work of commanding the
troops, looking after the welfare of
the army and maintaining fighting eff
ficiency at home took procedure of
everything else. Questions of future
military and political policy were re-
garded as secondary.
Tho bn1lre uava abeprba1
by my own work. reports by my sub
ordinate. directors and heads of de-
partments and services, and discus
sions l have the pleasantest memo
ries of our work and social life to-
gether, both on my staff in the east
and at general Headquarters.
The enormous amount of work and
the heavy responsibility which de-
volved upon me made it imperative
for me to surround myself with in
dependent, upright men, on whom l
could call to express their opinions
freely and frankly They certainly
did so--very emphatically, too, on oc-
casions.
Our cooperation was based on mu-
tual confidence, and my collaborators
ever stood faithfully and firmly by
| me They were my active and de-
voted assistants, imbued with the
| highest sense of duty, The final de-
| cision, of course, rested with me. for
responsibility permitted of no hesita-
ton. War demanded rapid action.
Never Hurt Aides Feelings.
But decision did not mean des-
! potism, and when l did disagree with
| the proposals OF my assistants,
never hurt their feelings. In such
cases, and when divergent views had
to be reconciled. / endeavored. with
out being vague, 20 recognize the
| justification for different opinions.
! The fame and great regulations OF