The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-07-18
EMPRESS NOTE
IN 1870 FACTOR
IN 1919 PEACE
Letter Which Eugene
Wrote to Kaiser Altered
Wilson's Views.
AS TO ALSACE-LORRAINE
Princess George of Greece Says
William Was Swayed by
His Encourage.

special Gable Desputt' to THE Sun AND New
YORK Herald Copyright, 1890, BY THE Sun
AND New YORK HERALD
PARIS, July 1.-THE death OF En-
press Eugene has revived interest in
the historic correspondence between
her and the Kaiser which was respon-
sible for the revision of President Will
sons views early in the days of the
peace conference that Germany's claim
to Alsace-L Lorraine might have a more
solid foundation than Premier Clemen-
ceau was willing to admit.
1t Is understood here that the en-
presss documents-at least those con-
nected with French history-will be
placed in the French natiora' archives.
and historians here are already pre-
dieting that this legacy by her will
go a long way toward establishing the
Empresss patriotism.
According to n highly placed official
here, the Empress wrote to the Kaiser In
1870 begging him not to be too harsh,
especially In connection with Alsace-
Lorraine, which the Empress considered
essentially French in traditions. habits
and desires.
Kaiser DiSclRims Responsibility.
To her letter the Kaiser replied
acknowledging the justice of her state
ments but saying that he alone was not
responsible for the Governments deci-
sion that Germany needed these prov
inces in order to prevent future aggres-
sion by the French.
II was this letter that Premier Gle
menceau asked the Empress's permission
to present to The big FoAr" and which
convinced President Wilsonsthat his at
titude regarding the restoration Of these
provinces to France was based on false
premise.
The Kaiser's real fear at the outbreak
of the European war was that Russia
was mobilizing rapidly and would out
distance the German Empire. This, more
than hatred Of the other European ma
tions. induced him to yield to the pres
SURG fuQh the Prussians and loosen the
chains of the world conflict,
This explanation of the Kaiser's act,
despite his constant declarations that he
was an emmisary of peace and not OF
war, forms the basis Of the leading
chapter Of volVme of war meditatlons
published this week by Princess George
OF Greece. formerly Princess Marie Bon
aparte, which Is attracting the attention
of leading French military and literary
critics.
German People DeIuded.
Then the German people. believing
themselves aSsailed by Russia and by
France, acclaimed the preventive move
headed by teir Emperor" the Princess
says
Wilhelms greatest fault, she adds,
was to have been for so many years
the glittcring chief of the Prussian Cen
eral Staff. His crime was to have
breathed constantly the ideas of his ell
tourage." she says: ito have lived con-
stantly in the professional uniform of
war and to have hrGndished. whenever
he spoke, the sword which was always
carried by him as the symbol of Ger
might"
The mass OF the German people, the
Princess asserts, did not want war, but
the officers of the Prussian faction,
dreaming OF glory and Of colonial lands
to be conquered overwhelmed even the
wisest of the German lntellectuals.
Added to this there was the pres
ence Of an impatient heir, the Grown
Prince" she says slowly, but surely
the milltarists convinced the people that
force was the only means of breaking
the encircling chains by which the
strong nations prevented German con-
quest of other colonies, as well as
European expansion