My War Memories, 1914-1918
Upon this Minister devolved another important wa,r function: the direction of operations against the enemy's home fronts. Should Germany neglect to use this powerful weapon, the effects of which she daily experienced in her own body ? Should we not attack the moral of our enemies in the same way as they were, unfortunately so successfully, attacking ours ? This contest had first to be transferred to neutral countries, and thence from front to front. But Germany always lacked one mighty means of propaganda: starvation of the enemy peoples by blockade.
The Government had great problems to solve if the war was to be brought to a successful conclusion. No greater demand has ever been made on a German government than to place the united strength of the German people at the disposal of the Emperor in order to secure victory in the field, and carry on the war against the spirit and moral of the enemy nations. Thus the action and conduct of the Government attained decisive importance. This meant that Government, Reichstag and People must devote themselves utterly to the idea of war That was the only way: the power to wage war had its source at home and was put to the proof at the front.
The great aim of peace could only be attained by relentless prosecution of the war. By working for the war, therefore, the Government at the same time paved the way for peace, to attain which at the first possible moment was their glorious, ultimate goal.
Soon after we were summoned to assume the supreme command, and had time to consider the situation in all its bearings, the Field-Marshal and I laid our views as to the requirements of the Army and Navy before the Imperial Chancellor, and discussed the problems which they raised for the country. We called upon him to co-operate in prosecuting the war, and were buoyed up with hope in spite of the menacing aspect of the situation.
The Government had welcomed our appointment to the supreme command. We met them with frank confidence. Soon, however, two schools of thought, represented by their views and ours, began to come into conflict, This divergence of view
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