Tannenberg Monument

Erect and martial, President Generalfeldmarschall Paul Ludwig Hans von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg arrived at Tannenberg, East Prussia, there to unveil a War memorial to the soldiers who fell in the historic Battle of Tannenberg.*

More than 100,000 people gathered to witness the ceremony. Six miles of veterans lined up to do honor to their old military chief. Some of them were dressed in field grey; others were resplendent in plumed helmets and gold-braided tunics of imperial days. Gathered there, too, were many of the highest Reich authorities, from Chancellor William Marx and several of his cabinet to Marshal von Mackensen, Generals von Francois and von Ludendorff:

Clad in his marshal's uniform, with the baton of his rank in his left hand, the aged Hindenburg, almost 80, passed through the cheering throng, stopping now and then to say a few words to a former comrade-in-arms. He is grim, cool, calm, yet genial enough on occasion. Germans recall a story about their President that exemplifies his peculiar wit: One of his old friends is alleged to have asked him:

"What do you do when you get excited?"

"I whistle," replied the President.

"But I have never heard you whistle."

"I never have."

And with memories of his famed battle "thick as autumnal leaves that strew the brooks of Vallom-brosa," Germany's greatest warrior showed no sign of emotion as he approached the mammoth octagon memorial, surmounted by huge, lofty towers. Said he to the dense mass of people around him:

"The Tannenberg national monument serves primarily as a memorial in commemoration of those who fell in freeing their Fatherland from enemy invasion. Not only in their memory, but also in honor of my living comrades, I feel it is my duty here on this occasion to say the following:

"The charges that Germany is guilty of the greatest of all wars, we, the German people, repudiate in all its phases. Not envy, hate, nor eagerness for conquest caused us to resort to weapons. War was a last resort for us, and the requiring of the greatest sacrifices of the entire people was the last means of maintaining our prestige against a host of enemies.

"With pure hearts we marched out to defend the Fatherland, and with pure hands the German Army wielded the sword. Germany is ever ready to prove it before impartial judges."

Far away in Doorn the ex-Kaiser, too, bethought him of the Battle of Tannenberg and recalled that if Hindenberg and Ludendorff were its heroes, it was only because he had sent them there. With magnificent effrontery he wired the President of the German Republic:

"At today's dedication of the memorial of the battle of Tannenberg I am in deep and unforgettable gratitude with all those who participated in this gigantic Cannae.*

"Instructed by me to free East Prussia from the enemy, your and General von Ludendorff's superior leadership, supported by the devoted cooperation of your subordinates, who were most of them trained in the school of my old chief of the general staff, Count Schlieffen, succeeded in gaining a splendid victory with our incomparable and brave troops.

"Tannenberg showed the world again what German power was capable of under strong and definite leadership. May the heroic spirit of Tannenberg penetrate and unite our divided nation. Then it will achieve wonders and the brave men to whom this memorial is dedicated will not have fallen in vain. Then, with God's help, Germany will rise again.

"WILLIAM, IMPERATOR, REX."

All over Germany there were great rejoicings and preposterous prognostications; many saw in the President's words the beginning of a real move to clear Germany of the charge of being solely guilty for starting the War.

*The Battle of Tannenberg was fought from Aug. 26 to Aug. 31, 1914. In it General-Oberst von Hindenburg, as he was then, and Major General von Ludendorff achieved their greatness in Germany by destroying the Russian Second Army Corps, commanded by famed General Sam-sonoff. *Cannae was where Hannibal scored his famed victory over the Romans in 216 B. C.