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14 ^\^TH THE GERMAN ARMIES IN THE WEST
that I was very welcome to visit the front. The following
day, September nth, I set out on my fateful journey, and at
the present moment—when I broke the thread of my narrative
—I am standing on the doorstep and ringing the bell at the
Foreign Office at 76 Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin.
The Under Secretary of State, Herr von Zimmermann, who
is acting Foreign Minister in Berlin whilst His Excellency von
Jagow is at the Main Headquarters, received me with open
arms and said that all he knew was that I was to proceed
straightway to the said Headquarters.
" But where are the Main Headquarters ? " I asked.
" That is a secret," Herr von Zimmermann answered, with a
smile.
" Good, but how am I to get there ?
"
" Oh, the Chief of the Great General Staff, Colonel-General
von Moltke, has given instructions that a car is to be kept
at your disposal. You may decide yourself when you would
like to start. An officer and an orderly will accompany you,
and if you like you can travel to the Main Headquarters day
and night without stopping, or you can choose your own road
and time. In fact, you are at liberty to do as you like."
" And afterwards ?
"
" After that your fate will rest in the hands of His Excellency
von Moltke. No doubt he will map out a plan for your journey.
The only thing you have to think about now is to get to him."
" And where shall I find the car ?
"
" This paper will tell you."
Herr von Zimmermann handed me a permit from the Great
General Staff which read as follows :
" The bearer of this
permit is entitled to use the relays of the Imperial Volunteer
Automobile Corps to the Main Headquarters. Everything
that can in any way expedite his journey is to be placed at his
disposal."
In conclusion I was told that the offices of the Volunteer
Automobile Corps were at 243 Friedrichstrasse, and that the
Acting Chief was a Dr. Arnoldi.
After heartily thanking Herr von Zimmermann and receiving
his good wishes for the impending journey, I went off to look
for Arnoldi and his office. I found him in a large room full of
maps, piles of papers, telegrams, officers and orderlies, and
my reception was as usual most cordial—in future I shall not
have to repeat this pleasing fact, for everyone has been equally
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