Forebodings and forbearance : what the Fatherland would do if drawn into an European conflict

Part Five Part Six

PART SEVEN PART EIGHT PART NINE PART TEN PART ELEVEN PART TWELVE PART THIRTEEN PART FOURTEEN PART FIFTEEN

PAGE

Beginning of Eastern and

Western Campaigns ... 55

Entrance of Turkey into

Conflict 73

Peace Conference and Price

ILLUSTRATIONS

OPPOSITE PAGE

1. His Imperial Majesty Wilhelm II of

Germany 13

of War 35^

3. Grand Admiral Von Tirpitz, Minister of

the Navy 55^

4. The Reichstag Palace 73^

5. Officers Club House , 91"

6. Palace on the "Spree" 103^

cellor 1251"

8. Brandenburg Gate 149 ""

9. Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria-

Hungary 175""

10. Johann "Wilhelm von Lowenell-Branden-

burg-Hohenzollern 185 ^

Preface

Upon my return from Berlin, in October, 1913, I conceived the thought of putting- into words, the story which had escaped me, one memorable evening, at the Club, while under a sad spell of depression, occasioned by the recollections of my intense loneliness, after the loss of my entire family, consisting of wife and two sons ; leaving me (at forty-two) the last remaining member of our family. While I have never done anything to startle the world, (excepting the wild animals of the jungle), I was startled myself, when after some years of hard study I was the recipient of the honorable degrees of A. B. and L. L. D. This effort so upset me, that I took solace in travel, hunting four-legged game, and indulging in serious thought, concerning the future greatness of our beloved country, and how it would be acquired, through vast expenditure of lives, treasure and indefatigable energy. After reading the few words expressed between these covers, I ask my host of friends not to condemn me for my serious partisanship, but to remember, that coming from an aged line of noble ancestors, "what is bred in the bone, comes out in the flesh;" therefore, read and enjoy, ponder and reflect, congratulate or forgive me for being a German, and loyal to my Kaiser and the traditions of our family.

GENEALOGY

John Sigismund von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern,

Married Anna of Prussia. Issue 8 children.

George Wilhelm von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern,

Married Elizabeth of Palatine of Rhine, Issue 3 children.

Louise Charlotte von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern,

Married Jacob Kettler Duke of Courland, B. 1610, D. 1682

Issue 7 children.

Friedrich Kasimir Kettler Duke of Courland,

Married Elizabeth Sophia, 8th child of Friedrich Wilhelm

the Great. Issue 4 children.

Marie Dorothy Kettler of Courland,

Married Albert Friedrich, 7th child of Friedrich Wilhelm

the Great, Born 1672, Married 1703, Died 1731

Issue 3 sons, 2 daughters.

Friedrich Wilhelm von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern,

Son of Marie Dorothy of Courland and Albert Friedrich

von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern.

Joachim Friedrich von Brandenburg-Holienzollern, Born 1734, Married 1763, Died 1804, Grandson of Marie Dorothy of Courland and Albert Friedrich von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern.

Wilhelm Wolfgang von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern,

Issue 1 son, 1 daughter.

Joachim Sigismund von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern,

Fled to America 1848, account rebellion. Adopted estate

surname Lowenell (pronounce in English Lionell)

Issue 3 sons.

Sigismund Simeon von Lowenell-Brandenburg-Hohen-

zollern. Born 1840, Married 1867, Died 1893.

Issue 2 sons, 2 daughters.

JohannWilhelm von Lowenell-Brandenburg-Hohenzollern,

Born 1870, Married 1898.

Total family, wife and two sons, lost 1910.

His Imperial Majesty, Kaiser Wilhelm, II of United Germany. "No great decision can any longer be taken in world matters without Germany and the German Emperor." — Kaiser's Speech, July, 1900.

Part One

ELLO, Captain, which way?" rang out in a cheery voice, in the semidarkness, just beginning to cast its shadows under the lime trees of Berlin's famous Linden.

Spring was just entering the year, ushered in by balmy breezes, sweet scented with the blossoms of the thousands of trees all over the city. The sight was inspiring, not only to the vast multitude parading the avenue, but particularly so to the young captain, whose mind the past few days was full of events, which he was reading in the near future, the thoughts of which furrowed his brow, as he walked along, utterly unconscious of the attention he attracted by old and young alike. Although dressed in the garb of society, with only a light cape coat over his broad shoulders, it could be easily seen he belonged to the military. Tall, six foot in his stockings, erect in bearing and demeanor, Captain von Brandenburg, scion and head of one of the oldest families in Prussia, whose ancestors assisted with Barbarossa in the storming of the walls at Acre in 1190, was a worthy son of a worthy father.

The year was 1913, and although the peace horizon looked clear, dark clouds were gathering. They were still invisible, but their presence could be felt, and cast a shadow over the peaceful provinces throughout all Germany.

It was just such thoughts that were absorbing the Captain, when he heard himself addressed. Looking up instantly, he observed the Minister of War directly in front of him.

"Ah ! Good evening, General. I was just going to the club, and this meeting you here is auspicious, for my mind is weighted with serious thoughts, and you, more than any other, can assist me in easing it. I presume you are going to the club, as well?"

"Yes, Captain, I was going over to spend an hour or so, but as you have something on your mind that seems serious, I will stay, and have you unburden yourself."

"Thank you, General, your kindness is proverbial, but I doubt how you will accept the story I am going to unfold to you, that has occupied my mind for the past fortnight."

"Now, Captain, don't be morose; shake off the melancholy which has seized you of late, since you had the misfortune to lose your wife and family. We are all subject to losses that are painful, and console yourself that there are millions of others whose losses are as painful as your own. Look at Captain von Lemberg, lost his father and mother and two sisters' all at once. His grief is real, for in their loss he is deprived of the sweetest joys of life. Of course he is a bachelor, and home ties to him, are the same as your family ties."

"Hold up a minute, General. You are on the wrong track ; I thank you for your kindly feeling in my grief, but my thoughts right now were not on my departed family, but on the perils of the Fatherland."

"Ah ! something new developed, and I not yet heard of it?"

"No, General, nothing new. The same old story of expectancy and preparedness. But the thought that trouble is coming very soon, and the magnitude of its fury and consequences' to us, has obsessed me with this one thought."

They had been walking arm in arm, and now reached the exclusive club that opened its doors' only to the nobles of the military and navy. Their entrance was greeted by voices of numerous friends who advanced to meet them.

The Minister of War was a comparatively young man in the forties', as was the Captain, and well liked. Tall and commanding in appearance, the military imprinted over every act and action, he was the idol of the younger set, and the admiration of the elders. Keen and witty, intelligent and handsome, he filled the arduous post of Minister of War with confidence to those who entrusted this most important duty to him, and none were more highly respected by His Imperial Majesty, than this handsome minister. These two men were boon companions, and much sought after. Captain Count von Brandenburg was versatile, and an extensive traveller. The whole civilized world had unfolded itself to his gaze, and the dark continent had given up much game to his prowess, as a hunter. His marvellous tales of travel always found a ready ear at the club, or in the drawing room, and like Othello of old, had won him a wife, a dainty bud, from out of a garden teeming with choicest flowers. He had gathered the choicest, and tenderly nursed it for twelve short years, after which God gathered the flower and the two dainty buds resulting from this union. The Captain's grief for the untimely loss of his family had serious consequences, and for nearly one whole year, left the withering hand of melancholy upon his once brilliant intellect. But careful attention weaned his mind from his affiletion, and his return to health was gradual, until now, at the time of this writing, he had recovered sufficiently to be almost normal once more physically. Mentally, he was, if possible, superior, and his incomings anywhere were always hailed with delight, for a good story was always in sight if he could be induced to speak.

There was an unusually large attendance at the club this evening, as if they scented an enjoyable time, and the entrance of Captain von Brandenburg with the War Minister, seemed to confirm them in their opinion. Clustering around the two, they led the way to one of the private reception rooms. It looked as if every member of the club was in attendance.

Captain von Brandenburg looked around, "Well, boys, what is the grand idea."

"A story, Captain; we know you are primed for one, and no stories' are as interesting as yours."

"That comes from establishing a reputation," replied the Captain, "but I will admit I have something to say, which I had intended only for the General's ear, but upon due consideration, I believe that the subject of my remarks is of vast moment to all of you, considering as it bears upon the welfare of the Fatherland. Our first and last thoughts are for our country, and no nation on the face of the earth is more patriotic than ours. All of you have pledged your lives to our beloved Kaiser, for the preservation of the Empire, and in my opinion the time is not far distant when we will all be called to our colors. You know better than I what that will mean."

"Come, come, Captain, don't be misanthropic, there is nothing to indicate the least disturbance," spoke up one of the older Generals who had seen service in France in 1870-1, "although I will admit it is my belief it cannot be far distant."

"That's just the point," responded the Captain, "we are always expecting trouble, yet do not know in what manner it will come."

"Well for heaven's sake," replied the veteran General, "if you feel endowed with second sight, ease your mind. I know that most of us will stay here all night, if necessary, to be enlightened."

"General," turning to the Minister of War, "you have more influence over our intrepid Captain. Use your persuasive voice, that we may all be in the listening."

"Well, gentlemen," replied the War Minister, "I am as much at sea as all of you. Captain von Brandenburg was in a brown study when I accosted him on the Linden, while coming this' way, and a few remarks he let fall led me to believe what he had to say was for my ears first. However, if it is not a matter of privacy, I will add my voice with yours, and try to persuade the Captain to get his ideas out of his system, for the general good."

Then turning to the Captain, "We are here in absolute privacy, and if your remarks should bear on private affairs, we can all pledge ourselves to hold inviolate that which we have heard. Am I right, gentlemen?" addressing the entire audience. A chorus' of "Yes, we pledge ourselves."

"All right, then, boys," replied the Captain. "When I wended my way in this direction, I had no idea that I was going to unburden myself of what has been of absorbing interest to me for the past two weeks, but meeting our genial Minister, I asked him to come and hear my forebodings. It seems that when you saw us entering, you scented a story. I will admit that what I have to say might prove interesting, but remember one thing, what I think, and what may be, are two different things. I am not infallible. We are all military and naval men, and from your minds, I will attempt to refresh my own. Think of the next war. What a terrible thing to contemplate. No one can grasp the full meaning which this word entails. No one can imagine the stupendous amount of separate units that are necessary to prepare an army corps of forty thousand men. Then think what it means when the full strength of the nation is assembled. Mere words fall short, and fail to convey to the mind the vast amount of material, raw and manufactured, that becomes essential to put our fighting machine in the field. In this age of figures, when millions are spoken of inadvertently, and without serious thought, no one in thousands, has the slightest conception of what one million means. Yet, should it become necessary, we are prepared to put five million men on the field fully equipped. Am I right, General?"

"Yes, and more, if we have to," responded the Minister, without a moment's hesitation.

"Now," resumed the Captain, "let us see how we figure our units. An army corps is a completed unit, composed of a number of smaller sections. First we have four companies of 250 men each, comprising a battalion of 1,000 men. Then we have three battalions of four companies, or a total of twelve companies forming a regiment of 3,000 men. Our next formation is a brigade, composed of two regiments, making 6,000 men. After which we have two brigades calling for 12,000 men, forming a division, with two divisions in an army corps. This is the portion allotted to the infantry. General, if I am in error, please correct me. After the infantry comes the artillery. Nine batteries of field guns with howitzers and mortars, in all 72 pieces, and three of field battery, calling for six large guns. Our cavalry to complete the third division, calls for four squadrons of 200 each, making one regiment of cavalry, while a brigade of cavalry consists of three regiments or 2,400 men. Don't forget that in the cavalry, the man is only one-half a unit. A good horse is as necessary to the cavalry, as a gun and ammunition are to the infantry. Then there are one company of pioneers, a brigade train, field bakeries, telegraph troops, field hospital with medical attendance, and a machine gun company, as well as a battalion of engineers. With the officers to command and direct the movement of this vast number of men, a total of 40,000 are assembled, and consist in full, of one complete army corps. So much for the formation of this principal unit, from which all manuevers radiate.

To assemble an army of one million men would mean the gathering together of twenty-five army corps. The rapid formation of such a vast army is accompanied by many other vastly important conditions. Men and animals have to eat. If the contrary prevailed, the main worry of the commissary would be ended, in fact there would be no commissary, with its attendant multitude, serving the needs of the army. But as every living thing has to eat to live, you can readily see that a vast amount of food stuffs must accompany every army corps. I trust you gentlemen will follow me carefully, until I come to the digest of my story. I can state without egotism, that many of our friends, here assembled, although directly in daily contact with their military duties, would not answer the questions' off-hand, which I will now dole out to you. A man's full rations for one day on the field or on the march, weighs four and one-half pounds and costs about one and one-half mark. Now, if we had these twenty-five army corps encamped in Berlin, the net weight of foodstuffs would be over 2,250 tons', while the cost would be, approximately, one million and a quarter marks. This is for one day only. To convey this to the rear guard on the field, would take the use of over one hundred of our large cars. The number of animals accompanying every army corps is 14,550 horses, of which 6,350 are for the cavalry. The balance are used for draft work of all kinds. Now horses need a given amount of rations daily, fourteen pounds of hay and twelve pounds of oats.

This stuff is bulky, and as there are about 375,000 horses to feed for every 1,000,000 men, the amount of fodder necessary to keep them in condition would have a net weight of 13,000 tons per day, and would fill over 260 large freight cars. Then there are other necessities ; medical supplies, ammunition and powder, which has to be handled more carefully, and takes innumerable more cars. You can readily see that the million, people speak of so commonly, entails a vast amount of other things besides the mere assembling of the men. Over 50,000 vehicles, including cannon. As an army on the march must of necessity carry not less than ten days' rations, you can imagine the incessant shipping of merchandise which would naturally be the result. Another thing, gentlemen, is that in time of war the nation consumes, and its production is curtailed. But thank God, our beloved country is entirely free of all the nations. We produce all we need and are independent of imports. If we were cut off from the world, we would be able to live in our every day way, without feeling the pangs of hunger. So much for our wise laws, that put a ban on all waste areas, and considers the welfare of the country, first, last, and all the time. As we are all officers, we are not burdened like the fighting branch of the service. Every man carries, exclusive of his clothes, his rifle and bayonet which weighs ten and three-quarter pounds. His ammunition, belt, knapsack and contents and canteen of water, weighs thirty-six pounds ; in all, he packs nearly forty-seven pounds, which on a hike of ten miles, is liable to become heavy.

"All my remarks have concerned the army. Let us see what is necessary to the navy. Here conditions are vastly different. The fighting unit carries all its necessities within itself, food stuffs, water, coal, oil, guns and ammunition. We have a vast number of large fighting machines which we were obliged to construct, simply to keep pace with other nations, soon to be our enemies. My candid belief is that in the war that will confront us, these mammoth and powerful vessels will be of little or no use to us, as raiders, or to engage in open battle. Our submarines will prove the wonder of the age, and in my estimation will sink many a battle cruiser of the enemy. Now, Admiral, don't get peeved. Time will show that I am right. I can foresee one thing very clearly, that in the war which is almost upon us, we will be pitted against all of Europe, with Austria, Hungary and Turkey as our only allies. The reason I look for Turkey to be our ally is that fear that Russia will renew her life's long ambition to take Constantinople. As we all know, the Turkish army has been put in a state of efficiency and discipline under our system, and with our engineers at the straits, can defy the navies of the whole world. We cannot depend on Italy, as our treaty with her is such as precludes her assistance, if we are attacked from East, North and West simultaneously, which is just exactly what will happen. However, bear in mind that should Italy shirk her sworn duty, and declare for an armed neutrality, such a proceeding will not deceive us. While acquiescing to such a procedure, we will watch her carefully. As the conflict proceeds, and Italy shows any leaning toward our enemies, after she is on a strictly war footing, through pressure of our enemies, and oversteps the bounds of her neutrality, and comes out flat footed and defiantly against us, I can only say, my friends, that not only will she regret it, but will rue the day she allowed her statesmen to be won from the path of duty, as outlined on the original treaty. Our vengeance will be small indeed, if her three most populous and important states, bordering our allies country, i. e., Piedmont, Lombardy and Venetia are not annexed to Austria as an example to all nations for such a perfidy.

The result will be that we will have Russia to contend with on the Baltic. If we are wise, we will be able to prevent her from reaching the sea by bottling her up in her home roads. Not with battleships, but with our mines and submarines. Next we are liable to be compelled to seek the safe roadways behind Heligoland and the Kiel canal, for our enemies of England and France, having possession of the narrow English Channel will attempt a blockade. We would not venture into the North Sea, three or four against every one of our own. You don't imagine our wise Prince Henry and the Admiral, are going to go on parade, just to be shot at? Nothing like it. We will send out our submarines, the number of which is wholly unknown to our enemies. We will sink every vessel we find, bearing the enemies' flag or any ship known to belong to the enemy, no matter what it is, or where it comes

26 HOW THE 8 TOBY STARTED

from. Our merchant marine will be entirely stopped at the command of the Kaiser. The chances are, that there will be no exports whatever, as we are securely locked in by Gibraltar, as well as by the Channel. If nothing is able to go out, surely nothing will be allowed in. A nation at war with powerful adversaries, cares nothing for existing laws, nor the rights of neutral countries, if they are counter to their safety.

United States of America could rave at England for their interference with her commerce without being able to help herself. If England and France hold the Channel and Gibraltar, not a mosquito could pass — only our submarines. We would have to retaliate by blockading the entire British coast with mines' and submarines, and catch their more important bottoms coming or going. The most pitiful thing will be when liners are caught in the net, and innocent neutral passengers are lost. We can get along without outside assistance, but England would starve in short order. Our wise Admiral would never think of risking his fleet until such time as we have reduced the enemies' fleet to such proportions as would about equalize their numbers and tonnage. America, deprived of our exports and unable to bring anything to us, will direct all her trade to our enemies. United States is in no position to resist England and France. Her navy would be in the same fix as our own, and her merchant marine at the mercy of the first torpedo. Naval battles won't decide anything in this war. It will be only when some decisive land battle is waged and won, that the home governments sue for peace. I tell you, gentlemen, we are going to be isolated. All our cables run through the channel. What is to prevent England from cutting them and stuffing the outside world with fish stories of battles that never existed? No matter how strong our enemies may appear to be, they will look for sympathy and more assistance.

All nations will spend money like water. When vast amounts of gold are being used, the parasites, who infest all influential offices, will betray their home governments for the proverbial shilling. No country will be exempt, excepting our own. A German financier with opportunity to graft, would sooner die than take advantage of the government. Not so with other nationalities. All nations will borrow money and spend it away from home. But Germany will spend all her billions at home, not a pfennig outside. Result, prosperity and good will at home. Panic and revolt elsewhere. Financial exhaustion or starvation will not apply to the Fatherland. England must be struck at some vulnerable point. That point will be her navy and her stomach. The loss of one will affect the other. While our economic position is the reverse. We cannot be starved. Should the war start in spring our harvest is sufficient to last the Empire until another harvest. Germany has raised more wheat, potatoes, rye, barley, and oats per acre than any country in the world, including the United States. We have over six million horses, more than forty million sheep, about twenty million hogs. Of cattle we have more than twenty-five million. Such are our resources in live stock. Our ally, Austria-Hungary, has nearly as much. We conserve all our strength at home. Our colonial possessions will take care of themselves. Our enemies will be so occupied in their defensive as to preclude their running thousands of miles away to attack them, altho it may happen in isolated locations.

Their forces will have to be so distributed as to guard against revolt in their colonies, for England well knows that the iron hand is the only safeguard she has. Love and fealty in the colonies for England is a mere sham to cover their future designs. Give them the opportunity when their oppressor cannot strike back, and England will be quickly shorn of her rare jewels. My friends, when war comes we must hit first, hit hard and be continually at it. There is no moderation in war, nor can it be civilized. Such attempts to do so would be the act of an imbecile and work vast harm. We have the advantage, and we must retain it. Russia is a brute in her ignorance, and in that ignorance will commit crimes that will horrify the world. England is crafty, and in her intellectual way will connive at the basest method of warfare, in my opinion, just as she did to the poor Boers. Starvation will be her main weapon of reliance, backed by her navy. France in her greed to recover her lost provinces, originally stolen from Germany, will gladly acquiesce in this foul method of warfare, against her better judgment. They won't realize what it means, until the weapon of torture is turned against themselves. Our military training does not include refined cruelty. Let our enemies practice it at their peril. Our greatest fear from Russia is the debasing of our women, should any fall into their clutches. That is one reason why invaders should never be allowed to get close enough to our borders to defile it. Concentration camps are a menace to morals, and we may be thankful our military system precludes any such unnecessary training. Should such camps be organized by any of our enemies during the war to come, I hesitate to speak of the woeful results emanating from undue licentiousness on the part of the idle youth, while awaiting the orders of the war department, for their disposition. We do not want war, but if it is thrust upon us, we will not evade it, and woe to those who seek our hurt.

"A nation attacked is a nation whose quarrel is just, and there will be no German who is not absolutely convinced that the Fatherland needs his help, and will give it without stint or expectation of reward. We have no other desire than to be left alone, and that desire has caused us to build up a war machine that will convince our envious neighbors, that we will demand that our desires for peace shall be respected."

"But Captain," asked a young lieutenant, "in your forebodings can you tell us what will be the actual causes of the war you say is almost upon us."

"Yes, in a way, my dear Heinrich," replied the Captain. "The causes will be two fold. One a great crime, on which I am not quite ready to discourse, and the other is our militarism, on which I will say a few words, before giving you my reasons for the great crime, the result of which, will be the pretext our enemies have long waited for.

"Our personal knowledge that some day we were to be the brunt of an united attack, has caused us to build up a mighty bulwark for our defense in our military. The other nations term us militarists, and spread abroad the nauseating idea that we were resolved to capture the earth. It is too bad they did not include the sun, moon and stars. We have overcome the laws of gravity in the heavens, with our mighty aerial craft, and taken Neptune by storm, by navigating beneath the waters. But our rapid growth has alarmed our enemies, and our attempt to build a navy, coupled with our militarism, was more than their egotism could endure.

"They could see it in only one light, that we were bent on war, whereas our motive was just the contrary. It is an undeniable fact that while England, Russia, Japan, France, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, Servia, Bulgaria and Greece were embroiled in bloody wars of conquest during the last 20 years, we stood all alone for peace. Our overwhelming desire for peace was deeply visible in the manner of our acceptance of the Algeciras conference, and while we were humiliated, we preserved our peaceful attitude. We were better prepared, at that, to force issues with all Europe, if necessary, than any of our neighbors. It is utter folly to condemn our militarism. We are obliged to pursue this course, just as England pursues her policy with her navy. If England was surrounded by neighbors who hated freedom, enlightenment and progress, would she give up her navy, and put herself in the power of her merciless and jealous neighbors?