How Falkenhayn 'Got In Bad'

1916

Advice to Kaiser Said to Have Led to His Dismissal.

LONDON, England. — According to reports from Germany received here, says a dispatch from Berne, Switzerland, the dismissal of Gen. Erich von Falkenhayn as chief of the German general staff was due to his suggestion of a complete change in Germany's war plans, which Emperor William indignantly rejected.

Predicting the complete downfall of Bulgaria, as the result of converging attacks from the north and south, and in the end a consequent interruption of communications with Turkey, General Von Falkenhayn urged that the whole Balkan campaign be abandoned, that the Eastern line be shortened and that the occupied territory in France be evacuated.

The general expressed the opinion that the transformation of German strategy into a purely defensive campaign on a shorter front would paralyze the Entente Allies and make it impossible for them to crush Austro-German resistance unless they fought with unlimited resources and then for years. Persistence in the present plan of campaign, he said, would lead to disaster.

Field Marshal Von Hindenburg denounced this advice as childish, cowardly and unworthy of the Germans. Emperor William took Von Hindenburg's view and dismissed Von Falkenhayn.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 2.