The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1922-10-06
BY WILHELM HoHENzoLLERN


The theory, constantly repeated TO
me in 1914 by the Chief Of the Civil
Cabinet and the representative of the
Foreign Office. that only Bethmann
had the support of the working classes
was finally supplemented further by
reports to me that the Chancellor en-
joyed the confidence in foreign count
ries which was necessary to the con-
clusion of peace. Thus 1t came about
that Bethmann always stayed in office,
until, finally, the Crown Prince made
the well-knewn Investigation among
the party leaders which showed that
the aforementioned theory was mis-
taken. This mistake was made all the
clearer to me when l read at the time
of Bethmann's dismissal-to which
other factors also contributed-the
most unfavorable opinions of him, es-
pecially in the Social Democratic and
Democratic press.
do not wish to blame Bethmann
with these frank remarks, nor to ex-
onerate others; but, when such i'm
portant matters are discussed, per-
sonal considerations must be ignored.
never doubted the nobility of Beth
mann's sentiments.
May be allowed to say few words
here concerning the reform in the
handling of this by Herr Won Beth
mann is characteristic Of his policy of
vacillation. During the war of 1914
1915. when, following the brilliant sum
mer campaign, the hard, severe Win
ter trench fighting had brought mill.
tary movements to standstill, the
extraordinary achievements of all the
troops and the spirit which l bad
found among officers and men, both
at the front and in hospitals, made
such profound impression on me that
! resolved to provide, for the tried
magnificent Nation in Arms" some
thing in the political domain when il
returned home, which should prove
that / recognized what it had done
and wished to give the nation joy.
! often touched upon this theme in
conversations and suggested reforms
in the Prussian franchise; the man
said /, who returned home, after g
struggle like this, with the Iron Gross
perhaps of both classes-must ne
longer be classified" at the polls.
At this juncture a memorial was
submitted to me by Herr Won Loebel
which proposed a reform in the Prus
sian franchise on similar grounds. The
COuC1Se, Clear anu treat
ment of the subject pleased me 81
much that l had a number of gentle
men read the memorial, which tool
up, in its original form, only genera
points Of view, without going into de
tail, and l was pleased to see that i
found approval with all whom l ques
toned concerning it.
i had my thanks expressed to Her
Won Loebell through the Chief of thu
Cabinet, Won Valentini, and caused
Loebell to work out the matter in de
tail and make suggestions. This wa
done in the Spring of 1915. The mem
orial was very thorough and deal
with a number of possibilities for tn,
franchise, without advising any on
system. 1t was approved by me, ant
sent to the Chief of the Cabinet to tn
Chancellor with the command that i
be discussed, in the course of the year
by the Ministers, and that their vpt
on it-possibly, also some suggestion
from them, be laid before me. Tn
franchise law, of course, was not to b
proposed unit latter the conclusion o
peace.
Early German Victories
Immediately after that l went t
Pless The battle of Gorlice-TarnoU
with its smashing victory over tn
enemy, brought on the Galician-Polis
campaign, leading to the reconques
of Lemberg, Prezemysl and the cal
ture of Warsaw, Ivangorod, ModliI