HOW GERMANY PREPARED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 68, 20 July 1915, Page 4

HOW GERMANY PREPARED.

According to a New York correspondent. an interesting incident, showing how prepared Germany was for the war, recently came to light among the evidence adduced in Boston in suits against the German steamer Kronprinzessin C'ecilie lor failure to deliver goods entrusted to her. It will he remembered that this ship put back to liar Harbour. Maine, on her voyage to Bremen from New York, and was eventually interned at Boston. Captain Poliak stated that on July 'ill he received a wireless message; "Klherhard has suffered an attack of Siegfried.” Cpon this he opened a sealed letter that had been given him two years previously by the North German l.hml Cm. when he took command of the ship in 1912.

| and which was not to he opened until ■ be received a wireless message signed '‘Siegfried.” The sealed letter said:J I “Germany is at war with Great- Brit*' aiu, France, and Russia. I*ill bilekto port.” It will be noted that the wireless message was sent live days before Britain severed diplomatic relations with Germany. The incident recalls the fact that another ship of the same line, the Kaiser Wilhelm l dor Grossc, which left New York on July 24. was never again publicly heard from until reported sunk off, the coast of Africa by tbc British cruiser Highflyer, being then equipped with guns and armament as a regular auxiliary cruiser. Not only preparations, but deliberate of war with Britain are thus proven to have existed for years previous to the outbreak. It will be remembered that when the Imperator came out the opinion was given that Germanyi would have a war on her hands as - soon as her sister-ship, the Vaterland.J wa s completed. Had it not been the quick action taken by Britain last Ist of August these ships, and ( many others, would have been among 1 the Gorman Navv. j