The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-09-29
THE BIRMINGHAM AGEHERAID MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 90 ISIS

which the Entente would long before
have suffered a military defeat, made
IL highly likely that Wilson would be
able to maintain his views which he
mad expressed in the most binding
manner, against England and France.
We had to secure a clear vision on
this matter. If our views of Wilson
were right, then we could accept as the
basis of negotiations his fourteen
points, hard enough, but, at any rate,
clear and definite. IT, on the other
hand, we were disappointed in him, if
the enemy imposed too severe condi-
tons, If even their military chiefs re-
fused us the respect to which our brave
struggles entitled us, then the fight
would have to continue. however hard
it might be, and then at last the gov
eminent and the people might be
brought to heroic measures, when at
last they saw clearly what was at stake
for Germany in this war
1t was in this respect that 1 simply
could not give up hope of new moral
reinforcement at home. If the enemy
gave the same answer as he did in
January, 1917, then with any proper
leadership, a new spirit of determine
tion the people which could not be
without favorable effect on our moral.
SAW CHANCE TO FIGHT ON
1 cannot doubt that this would have
had a powerful effect in encouraging
the army and the whole war industry,
and the sooner it came, the more pow
ferful would be the effect We would
thus have the strength to speak once
more with no uncertain voice. il the
enemy would not listen to reason.
There was nothing unduly optimistic
in this view. France Serbia and Bel
gium had suffered far more than we
had and held out.
LII the war should approach our own
territory, il the feeling that he was
protecting home and all that the word
meant entered into the heart of each
man mt the front, who knew full well
the meaning of such terms as ..theatrc
of war;" "battlefield," a.. of c., If the
war with all its destruction threatened
German soil, then 1 felt that our sew
enty millions of Germans would stand
like one man, determined and ready to
sacrifice for their country all the
mighty strength that still remained to
them.
Whether France herself, bled white
and suffering worse than we were
would remain in the field for long after
her territory was evacuated. was also
doubtful. In any case, our position
was not so bad that we could have
justified a capitulat1on to our people
or our descendants: on the other hand,
we plainly must sue for peace if peace
could be had.
HE AND HINDENBURG AGREE
L had slowly come to this fateful
conclusion. and now felt bound and
eager to act upon it, whatever others
might say, who were not so well in
formed as to the military situation as
l was. In all the great decisions of
this war 1 have followed my own views
with full sense of my own RESPONSE
bllity That | should be all the more
abused and held responsible for every
misfortune / knew well, but personal
considerations could not weigh with
me in the matter
At six o'clock on the afternoon OF
September IS 1 went down to the field
September Is 1 went down to the Field
below mine. 1 explained to him my
views as TO a peace offer and e request
for armistice. The position could only
grow worse, on account of the Balkan
position, even If we held our ground in
the west Our one task now was to
act clearly and firmly, without delay.
The Field Marshal listened to me
with emotion. He answered that he
had inferded to say the same to me in
the evening, that he had considered
the whole situation carefully and
thought the step necessary.
We were also at one in the view that
the armistice conditions would have
to provide for controlled and orderly
evacuation of the occupied territory
and the possible resumption of HOSTILE
ties on our own borders. From the
military point of view the first was a
tremendous admission. We did not
consider any abandonment of territory
in the East, thinking that the Entente
would be fully conscious of the dan
gers threatening them as well as our
selves from Bolshevism.
BURIED DEAREST HOPES
The Field Marshal and parted with
n strong handshake, like men who have
buried their dearest hopes, and who are
resolved to hold together in their hard
est trials as they have held together in
success. Our names were associated
with the greatest victories of the world
war. and we now shared the conviction
that it was our duty to sacrifice our
names to ensure the step being taken
that we had done everything humanity
possible to avoid.
The lines of the discussion to be held
with Secretary Won Hintze had been
settled even in detail at my converse
ton with the Field Marshal The dis
cussion took place at ten o'clock in the
morning of the 29th, at the Hotel
Britannique, Colonel Heye being pres
ent
After the usual courtesies the Secre-
tary began at once to explain the
political situation at home, without re-
ferring to international matters He
described the position of Count Won
Hertling as SO shaken that he could
not remain any longer in office, and
even his own position, he stated, was
by no means secure.
The domestic position was such that
complete change Of system, and the
formation of Parliamentary Ministry
in Berlin, was essential. He even
spoke of the possibilities Of a revolu-
tiOn.
DID NOT LIKE THE DELAY
UP to this moment 1 had assumed
that CHIC. would have to discuss the
further steps that it thought necessary
with the existing, Chancellor and Sec
rotary for foreign affairs. A change
in these offices at this moment would
of necessity bring delay, confusion and
disadvantage With such deep changes
a government is bound to lose continu-
ity and the grip of business for a time |
To whatever conclusion His Majesty |
might come, of course the government |
would remain to CHIC. the govern
ment however, changed it might be |
in form or personnel The incoming |
Ministers would be fully conscious of |
the responsibility they would bear if i
they took office in the existing situa- |
ton. G.H.Q. would have to urge it's |
views upon the new government Just |!
as it would have done on the old, and !
would have to ensure, if an honorable !
icti