THIRD EDITION GERMAN DOWNFALL

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 136, 5 December 1918, Page 8

THIRD EDITION GERMAN DOWNFALL

DUE TO, HUNGER AND AMERICA INTERVIEW WITH THE CROWN PRINCE CONFIDENCE OF SIGHTING VOnGm UNDNttMTNED. T.11.K CROWN COUNCIL MEETING DENTED. (united tnrM AgtociAtioK.—t'ortnronT.) (BIIIJTBn'B fBI.MRAII.) (Received Ducanbot 6, 2,30 p.m.) LONDON, 4th December. A Router meWgo via America details an Iniaryiow -with .the Crown Prince published in tho Mosturlnnd Bulletin, Tho Prince declared thftfc tho downfall ol German military power was tho result of the revolution, induced by four yeans of hunger among tho otvitwn» and troops in tho rear, together with tho overwhelming superiority in numbers eocurud by tho Entente by America's entry, which had undermined tho confidence of tho Qorcnan fighting forces. "I NEVER DESIRED THE WAR." The Prince added : "My troops had no real, Sometimes ft whole division had but six huiidfod rifles. I have not been in Germany for a year. Contrary to all statements made abroad. I never desired the war. I thought tho moment inopportune. I was never consulted, and tho ropont about a Crown Council being hotd in Berlin to decide on war I deny on oath. I was enjoying my stay at a w&Wingplac© when mobilisation was ordered. My father alao, I am sure; did not desire war. If Germany had sought tho best opportunity for war, sho woold have choaen either the Boer or. the Russian War periods. From tho beginning I was sure Eriglandi would enter.' This view was not shared by Prince Henry or the other members of my family,

MISTAKES OF THE GENERAL .STAFF. "The people 'blame me for the Verdun failure. I refused twice to attack there with the troops at my disposal. On the third occasion my attack was successful; during the first three days, but I was' improperly supported. I, thought; the' Verdun attackii mistake." ' The Prince was bitter regarding the work of the General Staff, which was responsible for numerous mistakes. Ludendorff andJ his Staff continuously underestimated the enemy's forces, and never believed that America's contribution would be great. f The Prince regarded the armistice terms as very severe, and almost impos--eible of execution. If Germany had been, victorious, she would not have made the; terms so ward. ; He said) he always entirely, disagreed iwifch air raids on unfortified cities, fierce submarine warfare, the deportation of women, and the bombing.of Paris. AIR RAIDS ON LONDON WERE } ■•■ ■ SILLY. ■■ . J The German diplomats, he continued, i.mado awful mistakes, being unable to see the viewpoint of countries whore they were stationed, and misreading the opinion of other countries. Referring, to the notorious Boer War telegram, the Prince declared; "My father was made ibo send the telegram by; his political advisers." . Every time the Prince disagreed he was told' to attend to his own business of commanding armies. The Prince declared that the air raids on London and the big gun used to bombard Paris were useless as a military factor. "In "fact," he said, "they were silly. . ... I-suggested two years ago an international agreement for confining air activities to the war zone, but my opinion, was disregarded. The orders to the submarine commanders were read differently by various officers, who went much too far."