The New York herald., 1922-12-24

was wanted at the front by Hinden-
burg. he said; in several days he
would return. The Chancellor's last
effort failed. On October 20, 1918, at
night, the Kaiser left for Spa.
Kaiser Importuned TO Return
To Berlin. but Turns Deaf Ear
At that very moment the chancellor
was in possession of a letter from
Philip Scheidemann. Tho Socialist
executive committee, among them such
men as Scheidemann and the circum-
spect Friedrich Ebert, met daily dur
ing this time at the Voraoaerts Office,
not only to counsel on policy toward
the Government but as event pressed
upon event also to prevent the more
radical Independent Socialists from
gaining control.
The Socialist executive committee
finally agreed that the time had come
when the abdlcation question could no
longer be postponed. They decided that
Scheidemann must present the de-
mand to the Chancellor, that motion
to request the Kaiser to abdicate be
put in the Cabinet on November /, and
that the monarch be given eight days
within which to comply. Scheidemann
on his own initiative transmitted the
Socialists ultimatum In q much milder
form, and as an Incidental paragraph
in a letter dealing with other matters.
Nevertheless, q factor OF tremendous
significance had thereby been intro
duced into the political situation, and
the Chancellor realized that, although
the last opportunity for discussing
things personally with the Kaiser had
passed when the latter refused to see
him at Potsdam. the question Of abdl-
cation must now be raised tactfully in
the Cabinet. Also, the Emperor must
be persuaded to return to Berlin. He
therefore dispatched an urgent tcle-
gram to his Majesty on October 80,
counseling his immediate return.
To Scheidemann, however. he de-
clared that he could not grant his re-
quest, because he believed that moth
ing could be accomplished by exertingi
pressure. rnY q
With a narrower circle Of advisers
cellor discussed the question. He made
no secret of the fact to them that
demand. for abdication was being
heard on all sides. There was con-
sternation among all present.
do you intend to propose to the
Kaiser that he abdicate?" the Chan
cellor was asked.
NON can't do that" replied Prince
Max. "T would first have to resign.
1t would not be In keeping with my
position to make such a request"
Minister OF the Interior Drews in
quired:
about the tremendous transformations
of the last few days?"
The Chancellor replied negatively.
"But It is absolutely necessary" de-
clared Drews. that he be informed
about what changes have taken place
here"
In tho War Cabinet. too, the ques-
tion was thoroughly discussed. Secre-
taries Groeber and Matthias Err
berger took the Kaiser's part. Scheide-
mann announced the demand Of his
party that the Kaiser must go. At the
some time he hinted that his party
migAt be satisfied with a parliament
tary monarchy. which would be better
than, for instance, "the money bag
Republic OF France" Scheidemann
was not at all clear. however, as to
what should follow abdication.
The Chancellor won Endorsement for
a plan OF his to gain time. He hoped
In this he could on tho one hand
satisfy the Socialists and on the other
bring about abdication by hts own
method. This consisted In sending
Drews at once to tho Kaiser ut gen.
erai army headquarters with instruc-
tons to tell the Emperor with utmost
frankness that the movement in favor
Of abdication extended from the work
ers all the way to high finance. But
he was to make no suggestion to the
Kaiser--rnerely to report TO him. On
this the Chancellor was emphatic.
That same night at 0 o'clock. ex-
hausted though he was. the Minister
OF the Interior left for Spa.
First Quartermastcr- General Groener
arrived during these days from Kiev,
very much concerned about both the
military and the political situation. In
worse to the point of catastrophe.
You have no idea Of the real con-
dition of your troops" Hetman Skoro-
padslxi had told him at Kiev before
his departure. >"r see more clearly be-
cause OF my Russian experiences. The
German troops have become strongly
Bolshevized The sailors that I saw
in Kiel in the retinue of Prince Henry
are, in my opinion, kolsheviiss one and
ALL"
A sudden telegram summoned him
to Field Marshal Won Hindenburg. who
wired that new duties were awaiting
him" Not until his arrival in Spa
had he any iniSllng that he had mean
while become First Quartermaster-
Genagal. Just as he was getting es-
tablished and was striving to get his
bearings the surprising news came
that the Kaiser was on his way TO
General Staff headquarters. Person
ally he was of the opinion that the
Emperor just then was more needed
in the capital than at the front
Another person who profeseed the
greatest surprise was Won Hlnden-
burg He asserted he knew nothing
about t..
At least he pretended that he did
not.
Uneasy was the Journey OF the
Kaiser. To be sure he knew we'll how
10 conceal his emotion. When at