The New York herald., 1921-05-29
life story,
and morale,
HOhenZOllern

French Commune and seeks its lessons. and
he glories III being present at the coronation
IT, Versailles where his IAN Gracious King
and Master" Is crowned Emperor Of the new
German Empire.
I'll goes without saying that the person
atty Of my All Gracious King and master
had the most inspiring and yet the most
touching effect upon me. His calm and
simple yet commanding presence gave the
ceremony greater 'sanctity than all ex
tcrnal pomp. The affcctionate enthusiasm
for the illustrious sovereign was fully shared
IN all present no matter to what German
n ibe they belonged. Indeed our south Ger
man brothers gave the most vociferous eN
preston 10 their joy al the foundation Of the
German Empire For historic reasons we
III ussians were somewhat more reserved, for
we had learned 10 know our own value at
time when Germany was but geographical
expression. That cannot be said in future.
With the simplicity Of an old Testament
ST. ry the Marshal devotes thirteen lines Of
his book to his wife, his married life and his
children Even that is much for the COM
n'arder who in conference with his chief Of
staff to determine the strategy Of a particu
laI,y important attack expressed his judg-
mcnt that the movement should be by the
left flank BY simply raising his eft hand,
His work during the long years Of peace
sees him advancing through the stiff tests
command. His life is full and ambitious.
always inspired by the thought of giving
higher service to the Fatherland. In 1911,
seeing no war in prospect he voluntarily
retircs To make room for younger deserving
officers AT this point in his story Won Hin
denburg emphatically denies the tradition
that his retirement was in any way forced
Or the result Of any unhappy circumstance.
Then in three years came the great war.
He pictures his elation when the abrupt call
Ia duty took him to command the Eighth
Army and retrieve the falling fortunes in
East Prussia From here on 70 the end Of
the second volume follow the successive
steps Of his own experiences in the great
war, and his comments on its various phases
political and military. As he SAYS in his
Foreword he writes no history Of the war
nor has he any thought Of apology or con-
troversial trestise. What he gives is more
like court evidence, in that he confines him
self largely to what he knows through per-
sonal experience The sum Of such personal
experiences will some day make the history
Of this war
Students Of war psychology will b. de-
lighted 10 find Won Hindenburg 50 consistent
in always considering IT, Since Napoleon all
great commanders have recognized that dis
oip,ne and morale constitute at least 70 per
cent Of all the elements that go to make up
rairns or in planning them most Of these
leaders appear TO give the greatest con
sideration 10 the material element, equip
ment transport numbers. &c. Won Hinden
Itrr gives these less consideration in his
discussions. and Is always thinking Of dis
ciplne. leadership and morale as he plans
his campaigns.
And in the end how graphically he makes
the reader feel that il Is the broken morale
y lfQg
defeat and surrender inevitable. This i the
lesson for the nations, for ours as well as
his In the high quality of the character of
tae citzenry of country lies its strength
Al a security. We can mprovse soldiers II
roed be- but we cannot improvise men and
women of strength and nobility Of character.
The Marshal Is finally called To the su-
i. emo command and his experiences now
include the whole stage. Ludendorff, whom
he holds in high 81 esteem, Is beside him
from the beginning. In his descriptions of
how they work together the Marshal Illus
trates for All the ideal relation that should
exist between a commander and his chief Of
stan. They are together ~ practically every
step until AZ the beginning of the very end
when Ludendorff Il made the first victim of
the impending collapse.
The Marshal gives lis characteristic
glimpses of most Of the biz figures Of the
M Grand Headquarters. He Is beside his
beloved Ml-Hshest in the tragic closing
days and the simplicity of his expressions
makes us feel they arc reality. he closes
in confidence IF the future greatness of hts
nation. whose tribes contain So many qual-
tiles of value 10 civilization
"AIy faith Is unshakahle that the best
among us with their deep, strong thoughts.
will succeed In fusing the ideas of to-day
with the precious relics If ancient times
and oil them set the stamp of eternal qual-
itics which viii bring salvation u our
Fatherland Then from the tenn
pcstuous seas ~ our national lie viii once
more emerge that rock the German I'm
perlal House-to which the hopes of our
fathers clung III days of yore and Oh which
the future of our Fathcrland was confidently
set nearly half a century ago, hv our own
efforts"
Here, then. Is = faithful description of
The work and sentiments Of strong char-
actcr inspired by the philosophy " his time
and nation ITS great value to the student
lies In its faithfulness and consistency. For
those who now seek means 70 insure inter-
national peace IL should have deep sig
nincancc They may never hope 10 win
against such men and such convictions hy
any human system Of Thou Shalt Not"
They will win. II At all, by Offering now
system and education which will enlist the
noblest aspirations Of man. that its adj
hercnts may. with manly pride, give i their
loyalty and service as the Hindenburgs of
Germany give theirs % the Fatherland.