ORIGIN OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1921, Page 5

ORIGIN OF THE WAR.

MORE REVELATIONS. VON MOLTKE’S PART. By Telecraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt. Paris, Oct. 5. The Matin publishes an interview with Herr Steiner, an Austrian sociologist, an intimate friend of Von Moltke’s Referring to Von Moltke’s memoirs on the origin of the war, Herr Steiner said that Von Moltke. on returning to Berlin after the ultimatum had been presented to Serbia, found the plans of the German General Staff practically unchanged since they were drawn up by Von Schieffen and Von Moltke. On July 30 he asked the Kaiser to sign the mobilisation order. William satisfied himself by announcing the threat of war. Von Moltke returned to the Palace the following afternoon. The Kaiser was denouncing the chief-of-stafiTs plan and said he had received better news from England. England would not only remain neutral, but would prevent France from participating in the war. In these circumstances the logical plan was to throw all the forces against Russia. Von Moltke had no faith in the news from England, and. as he held the mobilisation order signed by the Kaiser, he withdrew at the first opportunity but was overtaken and asked to return to the Palace. He handed the order, however, to an aide-de-camp, and told him to order the advance of the troops. William showed Von Moltke a telegram from England, from which it appeared certain that England and France would be neutral. The Kaiser remarked: “We must countermand your order to advance.” Von Moltke refused and then the Raise, sent an order to

headquarters for the army to stop an hour’s march from the Franco-Belgian frontier.

The Ka»er summoned Von Moltke at 10 o’clock in the evening and said he had received fresh news, and added, “now do as you wish.” War started the following morning.