My War Memories, 1914-1918
The line of demarcation, within which these authorities considered themselves to be solely responsible, was not clearly defined Friction was unavoidable. This would have been avoided by that resolute leadership at home for which General Headquarters often asked.
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III
As First Quartermaster-General it was often my duty, personally to lay the demands of the General Stag before the Government.
Of political personages and parties I took no account. Those parties which were for ever talking about " Understanding," instead of fostering the warlike spirit of the nation, did not recognize the need for the demands put forward. The Government shared their views. And thus the Government and the Majority Parties found themselves in agreement and adopted an antagonistic attitude towards me and my military views and wishes.
It was obvious that I had more supporters among those parties which, like myself, regarded an understanding as impossible in view of the enemy's determination to destroy us, and therefore wished the war to be carried on with the greatest energy. I never asked for their support, but they trusted me. These parties belonged to the Right—the Minority. And so, although I thought only of the war, the rest labelled me " Reactionary." Had I found my own ideas accepted by the democratic parties, I should have found supporters among them also ; in which case the " Right " would perhaps have abused me as a " Democrat/' and, as a matter of fact, this happened often enough.
I am neither a " Reactionary ;' nor a " Democrat." All I stand for is the prosperity, the cultural progress and national strength of the German people, authority and order. These are the pillars on which the future of our country rests. During the war we had only one aim, to develop the greatest energy in its prosecution, and so secure our military existence, and with it our
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