New-York tribune., 1920-01-23
Hindenburg
Still Defiant
In War Views
Attitude Before German AS
sembly Shows Marshal
Has No Qualms for Part
He Played in Conflict
LudendOrff in Mad Rage
Clash Between General and
Be~nstorH NJ IS Hearing
10 Fix Blan'e for. the War
Nrrc York Tribune
Foreign Press bureau

N~'r York Tribune
Foreign Press Rurcnu
LONDON. Jan. 3.-The Parliament
Assembly of Germany has delegated
the task of determining responsibility
for the war and of inquiring into the
manner, political as we'll as military,
in which it was conducted, has for
some time been interrogating leading
diplomatic and military chiefs, says
"LIllUstration." Count Bernstortf,
Former An, bassador to the United
States; Hollweg, former
Chancellor, Helh'er:ch, former Vice
Chancellor, and former Secretary Of
State Zimmerman have been success
lvely invited to answer this question:
What brought America into the war
and what actual Importance was ac-
corded President Wilson's offer of me-
cation? It was apparent there was
disagreement between the witnesses
on nearly every point and even in their
recolections of what had taken place
The same differences were manifest
between Admirals Won Capelle and Won
Tirpitz and Bethmann- Hollweg, in con-
necton with the submarine war, and
they agreed neither concerning princi-
Piles nor the opportunities of the un-
dertaking, on which subject, moreover,
not one uttered a sincere word of re-
gret. In sum, once more the adage to
the effect that where there is q clash
Of opinions light breaks forth has been
refuted. And this seems to have been
tacitly recognized by the commission
which separated after hearing Hinden-
burg and Ludcndorff without setting q
new date for meeting.
Difference to Generals
The appearance of the two great war
leaders, awaited with more impatience
that that of any one else, was an event
for Berlin, and gave rise to certain
manifestations whose Importance far
outweighs any of the declarations made
before the commission.
AT the entrance into the hall where
the cheers of the crowd, massed in
front of the Rechstag, had proceeded ed
them, the marshal and the former
quartermaster general were received
by the members of the commission all
standing.
bouquet Of chrysanthemums, tied
with the black, white and red ribbons
of the old empire and the old army
had been placed on table for them
and they were questioned with the
greatest Difference. This would seem
to be significant omen, and the dis
membc bcrment of the wooden statue in
front of the Reichstag means lust
nothing at all. Hindenburg remains
the living idol of every German who
is not utterly hopeless.
On previous occasion. November
13, Hindenburg should have faced the
commission of inquiry. This he was
literally prevented from doing by the
Intervention Of reactionary groups, in
dlgAant that " q revolutionary assem-
bly' should demand justification from
the national hero. Gathering in force
they held up and turned back the
marshaPs motor with cries of Down
with the Jew government! Down VIII
tho commission!" and even "Long live
the emperor" and sang "Deutschlanc
Uber Allies" and die Wacht an
Rhine"
Ovation Is Regretted"
On November II, however, the mar
shall, Ludendorff, and Former Vice
Chancellor Helfferich arrived without
opposition. The reichstag was sur
rounded by strong guard of soldiers
Hindcnburg's first words expressed
1T necessary for him to put off his an
pearance; then he said that he wouis
consider it his duty to act as ruarantol
1cr his collaboration Of trying times
With whose ideas he had always beer
IN absolute accord. Then explanations
began, very calmly on the marshall,
part, moro irascibe and often aner,
on the part Of iudcndortf which va.
in keeping with his temperament.
The latter first read a short memo
randum in which his chief had under
scored this observation-a true rev
elatlon, If Its sincerity be admitted
ana one which stands out from all tn.
other declarations: "Since the bepin
ming of the war we had been OBLIGED
to recognize that our situation. a,
much for effective forces as for ma
chine guns, munitions and other acces
SORES of war, was deplorable
And he added: Nevertheless. on,
love for our country forced US to con
ider only one end--the preservation
of the empire and the German natior
from harm, as far as our militar,
means would permit. Moreover, W.
desired just peace for Germany. Il
was necessary, then, for us to hold ant
maintain stcadfast will, the will te
conquer"
IN recapltulatlon the commission
put the following questions to linden
burg:
Why could the declaration of sub
marine war to the death be neither
aV~ided nor postponed?
Why did not the alpreme COM
mand admit the objections which
pointed out the political danger of
the submarine war?
Why did not the high military COM
mand take into greater account
lresldent Wilson's offer of media
tion?
Why does General Ludendorf as
sert that the government did not ask
Tor a postponcment of naval sub
marine operations when Herr Beth
mann HoilweF, in his expose to the
commission declares that this post
ponement was demanded?
Wanted Shcrt War
.lndenburg, after declaring that
neither the government nor the high
commend of the army, especially "the
staff had desired war. gave the nr;n.