New-York tribune., 1922-12-06
England Cost
Germans War.
Says MOltke
Promised Neutrality if Teu-
tons Dropped Idea of
Attacking French From
Sea, Memoirs Declare
Russia Held InstigatOr
$50 Ahead" Kaiser Or.
dered After British Note;
Dutch Invasion Planned

BERLIN. Dee. 8 tBy the Associated
Press).--"Dli England deliberately
dupe Germany into delaying mobiliza-
iion by tentatively indicating she would
observe neutrality IN the event Ger
many desisted from a naval attack on
the north coast Of Frsnee:"
1nis impression Is recorded by Lieu
tenant General Count Won Moltke IN
one Of the chapters Of his memoirs" !"
now issued by his widow, the appear
ance Of which has been keenly awaited
because OF the role he played In the
early days OF mobilization and the Ger
man defeat on the Marne.
"On the day Of mobilization" says
the Memoirs, "a dispatch arrived from
London in which e was stated that
England had obligated herself to as
sumo the defense Of the French coast
against possible German naval attack.
The Kaiser asked my opinion, where
upon replied that I could have no
seruples against guaranteeing that no
such attack was contemplated, II Eng
land pledged herself 20 remain neutral.
Charges Russia Enkindled War
1T was my opinion that the war
against France would be decided on
land and that we could we'll dispense
with naval operations II that was 10
be the rrice Of English neutrality.
Obviously this dispatch represents
England's first attempt 70 dupe Us, at
least 70 the extent Of prompting US 20
delay our mobilization" Won Moltke
charges Russia with having enkind ed
the war, inasmuch as she well knew
Germany could not permit the destruc-
ton Of her Austro-Hungarian ally. The
German general STAFF, he asserts, had
long since taken war on two fronts
into its calculations
Plans evolved By Field Marshal Won
Schliehen. chief Of the general staff
provided for the invasion Of Belgium,
as IL was commonly agreed decision
in open battle could not be forced
without violating Belgian neutrality,
Won Motke adds.
Considered Violating Holland
"Our information indicated" he con-
tinues, that France was determined
10 entrench herself IN a strong de-
fensive position, which would force
us 10 conduct a long and WearisOmo
trench and position Campaign against
a strong frontal defense.
"Von Sehliefen even proposed 10
march the German right wing through
southern Holland, but, rather than
drive the Netherlands into the camp Of
our enemies, decided 20 accept the
greater technical difficulties involved
In forcing our right wing through the
narrow section between Aix-la-Chape lie
and the southern boundary OF the
province Of Limbourg.
"In order 20 accomplish this with
the least possible loss Of time u was
necessary 70 seize Liege Immediately"
Admitting there Was niue 10 DC
said in opposition 20 an invasion ot
Belgium, Won Moltxc cites the early
prorress OF the war In support Of the
German contention that France there
bv was compelled TO meet the Germans
In omen battle. although he admits the
Germans inability TO conquer the
French quickly was Golely due to ing
lish Intervention.
Critleizes Won Bethmann-HollWeg
He adds IL the attack on Liege had
failed the moral setback would have
been a severe blow, as Il would nave
derived the Germans OF important
railway connections at 1-la-Chapehe
and Liege and thence on TO Brussels.
Won Motke does not spare Won BETH
mann-Hollveg for the Chaneellors op-
timism regarding the eventual attitude
Of England as reflected In the state
ment OF Sir Edward Grey, then BRUSH
,coatiausd o. aen pass)