The theory, constantly repeated to me in 1914 by the Chief of the Civil Cabinet and the representative of the Foreign Office, that only Bethmann had the support of the working classes, was finally supplemented further by reports to me that the Chancellor enjoyed the confidence in foreign countries: which was necessary to the conclusion of peace. Thus it came about that Bethmann always Stayed: in office, until, finally, th town Prince made the well-known investigation among the party leaders which showed that the abovementioned theory was mistaken. This mistake was made all the clearer to me when I read, at the time of Bethmann's dismissal—to which other factors also contributed—the most favourable opinions of him,.especially in the Social Democratic and Democratic press.
do not wish to blame Bethmann with these frank remarks, nor to exonerate others; but, when such important matters are discussed, personal considerations must be ignored. I never doubted the nobility of Bethmann's sentiments.
May I be allowed to say a few words here concerning the reform in the Prussian franchise, since the handling of this by Herr von Beth-mann is characteristic of his policy of vacillation. During the winter of 1914-1915, when, following the brilliant summer campaign, the hard, severe winter trench-fighting had brought military movements to a standstill, the extraordinary achievements of all the troops and the spirit which I had found among officers and men, both at the front and in the hospitals, made such a profound impression on me that I resolved to provide, for the tried, Magnificent "Nation in Arms," something in the political domain when it retwued home, which should prove that I recognized what it had done and wished to give the nation joy.
I often touched upon this theme in conversations and suggested' reforms in the Prussian franchise; the man, said I, who returned home, after a struggle like this, with the Iron Cross—perhaps of both classes—must no longer be "classified" at the polls.
At this juncture a memorial was submitted to me by Herr von Loe-Nevertheless, I left bell which proposed a reform im the franchise similar The concise, clear and convincing treatment of the subject pleased me so much that I had a number of gentlemen read the memorial, which took up, in its original form, only general points of view, without going into detail, and I was pleased to see that it found approval with all whom I questioned concerning it.
I had my thanks expressed to Herr von Loebell through the Chief of the Cabinet, von Valentini, and caused Loebell to work out the matter in detail and make suggestions. This was done in the spring of 1915. The memorial was very thorough and dealt with a number of possibilities for the franchise, without advising any one system. It was approved by me, and sent by the Chief of the Cabinet to the Chancellor, with the command: that it be discussed, in the course of the year, by the Ministers, and that. their vote on it—possibly, also, some suggestions from them—be laid before me. The franchise taw, of course, was not to be proposed until after the conclusion of peace.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.