Full Text of the Suppressed Document in Which the Former German
Ambassador at London Reveals Germany's Guilt in Starting the War
_The full text of the memorandum of Prince Lichnowsky, who was
German Ambassador in London at the outbreak of the war, was
obtained in this country in installments, which had appeared in
various European newspapers, chiefly the Politiken of Stockholm,
the Vorwaerts of Berlin, and the Muenchener Neueste Nachrichten.
The earlier installments to reach America were translated and
summarized in the regular pages of this issue of Current History
Magazine, beginning on Page 314. After the issue had gone to
press the complete text became procurable. In order to give its
readers the immediate benefit of this opportunity, Current
History Magazine herewith presents the entire document--one of
the most important of the war--in the form of a special
supplement, despite the fact that some parts of it are
duplicated in the abridged version on Page 314._
_Prince Lichnowsky's now famous memorandum bears the title "My
London Mission, 1912-1914" and is dated "Kuchelna, (his country
seat,) 16 August, 1916." It became public in March, 1918, and
created a profound sensation in Germany as well as in the
Entente countries._
_Kuchelna, 16 August, 1916._
Baron Marschall died in September, 1912, having held his post in London
for a few months only. His appointment, which was due mainly to his age
and the plotting of a younger man to get to London, was one of the many
mistakes made by our Foreign Office. In spite of his imposing
personality and great reputation, he was too old and tired to be able to
adapt himself to a purely foreign and Anglo-Saxon milieu. He was more of
a bureaucrat and a lawyer than a diplomat or statesman. He set to work
to convince Englishmen of the harmless character of our fleet, and
naturally succeeded in strengthening an entirely opposite impression.
To my great surprise I was offered the post in October. After many
years' work I had withdrawn to the country, as no suitable post had been
found for me, and I spent my time on my farm and in my garden, on
horseback and in the fields, but I read industriously and published
occasional political articles. Thus eight years passed, and thirteen
since I had left Vienna as Ambassador. That was actually my last
political employment. I do not know to whom my appointment in London was
due. At all events, not to his Majesty, as I did not belong to his
immediate set, although he was always gracious to me. I know by
experience that his candidates were frequently successfully opposed. As
a matter of fact, Herr von Kiderlen-Wächter wanted to send Baron von
Stumm to London. He met me at once with undisguised ill-will, and tried
to frighten me by rudeness. Herr von Bethmann Hollweg was amiable to me,
and had visited me shortly before at Grätz. I am, therefore, inclined to
think that they settled on me, as no other candidate was available. Had
Baron von Marschall not died, it is unlikely that I should have been
dug out any more than in previous years. The moment was obviously
favorable for an attempt to come to a better understanding with England.