Perfidy

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 287, 2 December 1914, Page 5

Perfidy

GERMANY EXPOSED.

DAMNING FRENCH OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.

United Press Association. Paris, December 1. A Yellow Book issued shows the German military party's aggressive resolve, also the formation and methodical development throughout Germany of public opinion in favor of war. In contains in a section headed "Warnings" a striking despatch, dated November 22, 1913, wherein M. Jules Cambou, the French Ambassador in Germany, narrates a conversation of a fortnight earlier between the Kaiser and the King of the Belgians in Von Moltke's presence. . M. Cambou describes King Albert's astonishment at finding that the Kaiser was no longer the champion of peace, and that the Kaiser now regarded war \yith France as inevitable. He believed in the overwhelming superiority of the German army, and its certain success. Von Moltke took the same view, and was even more confident of success than the Kaiser. King Albert protested that they were travestying the French Government's intentions, and were misled regarding the French nation's sentiments. The Kaiser and Von Moltke, none the less, persisted. The Kaiser, moreover, appeared overwrought and irritable. AM. Cambon added: "As the Emperor grows older, family traditions and the reactionary sentiments of the Court and especially the impatience of the military caste, gain more and more hold on his mind. Possibly he feels some jealousy of the popularity of his son, who flatters pan-German passions, and does not find that his Empire holds a position in the world commensurate with its power. Perhaps France's reply to the latest increase in the army, the aim whereof is to establish Germanic superiority beyond question, explains some of his bitterness. Possibly the Kaiser meant to impress King Albert, and induce him to oppose no resistance in the event of a Franco-German conflict. Whatever his object, the revelation reflects a precarious situation, and it will be well to take into consideration this new fact, namely, that the Kaiser is familiarising himself with a train of ideas once repugnant to bim.

The same section contains a secret

Beial report, dated 19th May, 1913, from an onicer or tne German General Staff, justifying the increases in the army, and urging the accustoming of the nation to the idea of an offensive war. "There are so many matters connected with powerful armaments, entailing considerable sacrifices and a strained political situation, as to cause the drawing of the sword to be viewed with relief. Germany must prepare for war financially, without arousing mistrust. Financiers must stir up trouble in Egypt, Tunis, Algeria, Morocco, and Russia. Risings must be prepared, especially in Egypt." He adds: "Small States like Holland and Belgium must be constrained to follow Germany, or be broken in."

Various documents prove the perfidy of German diplomacy at critical moments, and Austria's deliberate provocation of the war at Germany's instigation. Le Temps describes the Yellow Book as a damning dossier of a criminal nation.