Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-01-23
SAYS KAISER
DECLINED TO
DIE WITH MEN
Martyrdom Offered to Save
Monarchy, Declares Min
lister GOthein.
COLD FEET DESCRIBED

BERLIN, Jan. 23-That the Pan-Ger-
mans and conservatives when they saw
the German cause was lost in 1918,
wanted the former kaiser to sacrifice his
life at the head of his troops in battle
in the hoI4 Of preserving the Hohen-
zollern dynasty, was revealed today by
former Minister of the Treasury George
Gothein, who resigned from the Ger
man cabinet rather than sign the peace
treaty.
Herr Gothein is leader of the demo-
cratic party and is chairman of the ma
tional assembly commission which has
been investigating responsibility for the
war and it's prolongation. The Gothein
commission was really a parliamentary
grand jury to bring indictments against
German war criminals.
The startling disclosure that the for
mer kaiser was counselled to emulate
the war kings of old and go into the
fray, sword in, hand, at the head of
his army, is considered one Of the most
sensational revelations that have yet been
made Of the events that moved with such
Ightning-ike rapidity around the former
war lord in the closing days of the
world conflict.
FEARS CONSEQUENCES
OF EXTRADITION.
II believe that the extradition and
trial OF the former kaiser would be a
body blow to German republicanism,"
said Herr GOthein THE former emperor
is personally disliked by the Pan-Ger-
mans who call hkm William the Timid,'
because he was not bold enough for their
tastes during the war. The old con
servatives disliked his theatrical man
ners, his fondness for making pompous
speeches and the unsteadiness Of his po-
licies. They also disapproved Of his in
innate relations with big Jewish indus
trial magnates, scientists and artists and
his frequent rude and crude treatment of
others. Above all they will never for
give him for fleeing into Holland.
They wanted him, in the interests Of
the dynasty, and knowing that the war
had been lost, to sacrifice his life in
battle. His failure to do this did the
greatest injury to the monarchical idea
and the Hohenzollern dynasty. After
ward they wished him voluntarily and
heroicauy to offer himself for trial, as
did former Crown Prince Rupprecht Of
Bavaria, so they could make for him
martyrs hat.
MARYRDOM DESIRED
FOR PROPAGANDA.
This, it was argued, would give the
monarchical idea glamour which would
provide the monarchist party with
propaganda for their agitations. The
monarchists require the former kaisers
martyrdom for their reactionary propa-
ganda and his trial might furnish it,
Il believe that the FORMER emperors
trial before an allied tribunal would lend
support 20 the monarchist idea as against
German republicanism."
If the former kaiser returned voIun-
tarily to Germany would your commits
sion call him as a witness?" Herr Goth
Elm was asked.
THAT is an academic question, as I
do not expect the kaiser to rGturn," re
piled Herr Gothein According to the
constitution of the old empire the chan
cellor and not the kaiser was responsible
for all of the actions, including military.
If the kaiser was not responsible for
them, then I do not see how he could
be made so now"
when ! was a member Of rho cabinet
last spring the members took the view
point: Ne puniShweut aw'
Continued on Page sixteen.)