New-York tribune., 1920-02-11
Grown Prince
Cables Wilson
He'll Surrender
Frederick Wilhelm Suggests
Allies Take Him Instead
of 900 Germans ssWho
Served Their Country

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-Presidant
Wilson had before him tonight per
sonal cable message from Frederick
Wilhelm, former Grown Prince of Ger
many, suggesting "if the Allied and
associated governments want a victim
let them take me instead of the 900
Germans WHO have committed no other
offense than chat of serving their coun-
try in the war;"
What action the President MIGHT
take on the message. which presumably
was identical with that reported in AM
sterdam dispatches as sent to the rulers
and presidents of other powers opposed
to Germany in the war, was not dis
closed. There was suggestion at the
White House that Mr.. Wilson might
reply, making his message the vehicle
Tor re-eXpression of the oppositio on
to trial of the former German Emperor
or other enemy officials announced by
american delegates at Paris.
In some quarters, however, the opin-
ION prevailed that he would not even
acknowledge its receipt, since, it was
pointed out, the United States is not a
party to the treaty Or a member of the
league of nations and has no legal
voice IN any proceedings as to extrad-
tion of German officials or officers for
trial.
The exCrown Princes message was
sent from Wieringen Island, Holland,
yesterday. 1t follows:
Message to President Wilson
ITO the President of the United
States of North America,
"Mr. Wilson, Washington:
Mr.. President-The demand for
the delivery of Germans of every
walk of life has again confronted my
country, sorely tried by four years
OF war and one year of severe in
ternal struggles, with crisis that is
without precedent in the history of
the world as affecting the life of q
people. That a government can be
found in Germany which would carry
out the demanded surrender is out
OF the question; the consequences to
Europe of an enforcement Of the de-
mand by violence are incalculable:
narred and revenge would be made
eternal
AS the former successor to the
throne of my fatherland, l am will
ing at this fateful hour TO stand I'D
Tor my compatriots. If the Allied
and associated governments want
victim, let them take me instead OF
the 900 Germans who have committed
no offense other than that of serving
their country in the war.
"WILHELM,
"Wieringen Island.
FEBRUARY 8, 1920"
Sent Direct from Holland
The message did not come through
State Department channels, but direct
from the refuge in Holland OF the
former German heir apparent. 1t has
not come officially to the attention of
secretary Lansing and he would not
comment on it in any way 1t was
indicated, however, that any action Mr..
Wilson might take with regard to it
would be more of a personal observa-
ton on the situation than an official
expression.
The suggestion that Mr. Wilson !
might frame reply, it was indicated,
was based rather on knowledge of his
attitude toward the proposed wholesale |
trial of German officials and officers
than on any intimation of his decision
obtained to-day. There was no doubt
among officials of his strong opposi-
lion to the whole extradition proceed
ngs now convulsing Germany since
The formal demand for surrender of the
long list was made.
The President was said to believe
hat Germany should be permitted to
work out her own salvation without
The embarrassments that would be in
'olved in making possible martyrs"
out of offenders, whether the former
Emperor or his son, or any high officer
or official. 1t is understood the con-
.ention that no government could re-
main in power in Germany which
agreed to surrender such officials is
aiken seriously by Mr.. Wilson and his
advisers.