The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-24

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Gen. Won Ludendorff of the German
General Staff, prominently mentioned in
Erzberger's book.
the doors of those who had executed the or
ders of the crowned megalomaniac.
Since September 1914, the German gener-
ais and statesmen relied on bluff to talk the
Allies into submission and the German people
into ever increasing sacrifices. AS far as
the Germans were concerned they succeeded.
AS early as September, 1914. when the
Kaiser's armies were hurled back in the
first battle of the Marine. Gen. Falkenhayn,
Prussian Minister of War. full well knew
that the Teutons had lost the war. Only
Falkenhayns most energetic veto prevented
the issuance of an order by the High Com
mand that the German army retire to the
banks Of the Rhine.
Likewise the civilian government was
aware of the situation, for Jagow, Secretary
of FOREIGN Affairs said prior to January,
1915, that Germany ought to be satisfied to
get out Of the war with blackened eye.
The Kaiser Of course, knew the state Of
affairs. He nevertheless publicly spoke OF
the impending destruction of the enemies
of the Central Powers.
While denouncing the periidy of the Ru
manian "swineherd's dogs" (meaning nasty,
contemplate fellows), because they did not
live up TO the Berlin Bucharest military
convention, and calling the King of Italy
traitor the Kaiser secretly planned TO
take the control of the Austrian Hungarian
army from his "only true friend" the En-
peror- king OF the dual monarchy, after the
restoration of peace.
Like master. like man. AS late as the
middle of July, 1918. Ludendorff assured the
then Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Hintze,
that the offensive on the western front
would lead to decisive and definite victory
over the Allies. That was for public con-
sumption.
When Tirpitz. in November, 1914, in an in
terview he gave to the American newspaper
correspondent, Karl Won Wiegand an
nounced that England would be starved into
submission by the German submarine fleet
there was not one single German U-boat
with cruising radius sufficient to circum-
ravigate Great Britain. When the unre-
stricted U-boat warfare was begun Col.
Bauer, right hand man of Ludendorn, ad-
mitted In a confidential conversation that
the situation was hopeless.
Only Hand-Picked U-Bost Experts Heard.
To obtain a decision in favor of unre-
stricted undersea war only experts advo-
eating it were allowed at the Great General
Headquarters. where all important decisions
were made. In that respect, the Kaiser,
Ludendorff. Tirpitz ana Bethmann-H oweg
were all alike They wanted to hear only
such advice as suited their schemes.
Each OF the two Central Powers was will
ing to pay the price for armed assistance or
peace at the expense Of the other.
Germany was honest when Offering the
Rome Government Italia Irredenta for the
purpose of bringing Italy into the war on
the side of the Teutons but Austria refused
to part with her provinces Austria APP
proved territorial concessions to enable the
Rumanian King Charles to send his army
against the Allies. That plan was vetoed by
Count Tisza. Premier of Hungary, who did
not think of giving away part of Transyl-
vania, Hungarian province.
Since 1915 the Teutonic allies went beg
cling for peace 10 Washington, Madrid and
the Vatican. According to Erzberger. peace
with England and Belgium could be had
by restoring Belgium and her independence;
with France, by cedng Lorraine;
with Italy by handing over to her south
ern Tyrol. Istria, Gorilla and Trieste, and
with the Russian Gar by renouncng con-
quests in the East. That was at a time
when the prospect of a Teutonic victory
were slim--very slim indeed. But the motto
of Germany and Austria was: Let George
do it," Berlin was willing to deliver Italia
Irredenta while Austria would have gladly
returned Alsace- Lorraine to France and
evacuated King Alberts realm. only in the
East Berlin and Vienna were equally firm
for conquests. because Austria wanted Pc
land and Germany was after a strip OF 100
miles width of Congress (Russian) Polish
territory.
Germany Cheats Her Allies.
Austria Bulgaria and Turkey were not all
lowed TO know the conditions of the Brest-
Litovsk peace treaty. which granted Ger
many an indemnity Of six billion marks,
while the other Central Powers got nothing,
until the pact had been signed and eventual
protests were too late and TO no purpose.
While a storm OF Indignation was raised
in Germany by the Austrian Emperor's Six
tus letter and its separate peace proposal.
the Kaiser. through Matthias Erzberger and
others, was negotiating time and again with
some Of the Allied Powers for peace with
out Vienna knowing of H.
Here II may be mentioned that the Sixtus
letter was not a private affair OF the Aus
Hungarian monarch. but had the APP
prevail of Count Buran. Austrian Premier.
who. when the confidential missive had been
published. wrung from Emperor Charles the
untrue admission that he had ACTED on his
own account. by threatening TO commit sui
eide.
Tho promises given to German created