The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-22
BY. DIR. KURT JAGOW
Master Of the Rolls of His Majesty,
wilhelm II

Master of the Rolls of His Majesty,
world copy Miine'S BY I United Press,
HIS MAJESTY'S RESIDENCE,
HUIS DOORN, DOORN, Holland,
Nov. 22.-We have fought ten years
against the thesis laid down in
article 231 of the Treaty OF YER
Sailles, which we call the war guilt
lie"
The thesis that Germany alone
was guilty is no longer acceptable
The plea of guilty was extorted
from us in 1919, in such a way that
recently none other than Lord Grey
Of Falloden Stigmatized it in his
book "RecollectionS." Documents
published since 1919 from the Ger
man, Russian, Serbian and other
archives have shown this undeni-
ably.
In the meantime, Germany has
found defenders in all other coun-
tries. For instance, the American
historians, William LANCER and
Barner and Fay, also the Canadian,
Ewart, and many others. None of
these accepted this thesis of Ger
manyS war guilt.
Documents are Discussed
OF course, there are the impor-
tant documents found in the German
archives bearing marginal notes By
the kaiser, which were published by
KautSky. We have to follow the
main lines of history. Especially We
must not put the differences be
tween Austria and Serbia in the
same category with the World war.
How did matters develop?
The murder at Serajevo was O
doubly hard blow for his majesty
Not only did he lose a faithful ally
but also a good personal friend.
Cannot you understand that il
was Immediately after this terrible
affair that His Majesty gave his
consent to Austria Hungary TO pro
coed strongly against Serbia? 1t in
volved the conservation of the pow
er of the Danube monarchy against
the SubverSive attempts by Serbia.
The threads of the terrible affair
(tIe assassination led to Belgrade.
These proceedings, it seemed,
could lead at most to war between
Austria and Serbia, but his majesty
cherished the firm Ind not I'M
founded hope that the King of Eng
land and the car would not give
moral or material support to assaS-
sins of royalty. Memory of the night
of assassination at Belgrade on June
II, 1903, had not faded, nor had
the recollection that it was the King
of England who then Immediately
recalled his ambassador from
Belgrade.
No Thought of War
His majesty, the kaiser, started
his trip north on July 6, 1914, with
out taking any military precautions,
which ne would certainly have
taken if Germany had planned a
World war.
When he returned July q the dice
definitely had been thrown by R;ls-
STA for war, supported and pressed
forward by France. Neither his
majesty nor the German govern
ment had participated in composing
the Austrian ultimatum and refusal
to accept Serbia'S reply. KautSky'S
publications show in what sharp
words his majesty condemned the
refusal to accept Serbia'S reply.
His majesty thereafter on July %,
in letter to Secretary of State Won
Jagow, openly gave his personal
views, refusing to accept the idea
Of war.
At the same time he formulated
a far-reaching attempt at recon-
Citation by a proposal that Austria
make halt in Belgrade as pledge
for fulf1llment by Serbia of the
Austrian demands upon Serbia.
There is another episode, very
little known, but absolutely refuting
the kaiSer'S war guilt. On the aft
ernoon of Aug. /, when the Ger
man mobilization order had become
necessary on account of Russia's
general mobilization, his ma esty
received word from London that
there still was possibility of preserv-
ing peace.
Army Near Chaos
Therefore, His Majesty gave
orders which brought despairing
protests from the leaders of the
general staff and which easily could
have led to chaos in the German
advance. So strong was his love for
peace and so far went the kaiser's
personal feeling of responsibility
that in face of the most terrible
danger he even took the risk of a
possible catastrophe to the army if
peace could be kept.
He believes that real peace In
Europe and the world is possible
only when, by revision of the
reparation question, the world comes
back to stipuations laid down in the
'pre-peace treaty" of Nov 5, 1918.
This preliminary treaty, based up.
on Wilson's fourteen points and
other principles propounded by Will
son, was broken. The peace that
was made was not based upon Will
sons program. 1t was dictated By
brute force.
His majesty holds that there can
be nc confidence possible in Europe
as long as this disgraceful Article Isl
on the Treaty OF Versailles is not