Mein Kampf
bach was pretty sure to be stronger than the will of a few Jews. So I could not help believing it was a matter of a revolt in the navy, which would be put down in the next few days.
The next few days came, and with them the most horrible certainty of my life. Ever more alarming grew the rumors. What I had thought a local matter was to be a general Revolution. On top of it all came the shameful news from the front. They were going to capitulate. Could any such thing be possible?
On the 10th of November the pastor came to the hospital for a short address; now we found out the whole story.
Intensely excited, I went to hear his brief speech. The dignified old gentleman seemed to be trembling like a leaf as he informed us that the House of Hollenzollern could no longer wear the crown of the German Emperors, that the Fatherland had become a “Republic,” that our Fatherland would surely be exposed to heavy oppressions in the future. That we must beg the Almighty not to refuse his blessing to the transformation and not to forsake our people in time to come. He could not refrain from saying a few words about the Royal House; he tried to speak in appreciation of what it had done for Pomerania, for Prussia, nay for the German Fatherland—and here he began to weep softly. Profound dejection came upon every heart in the little hall, and I believe there was not a single eye which could keep back the tears. But when the old gentleman tried to continue, and began to tell us that we should now have to end the long war, and that in future (since the war was lost and we were throwing ourselves upon the mercy of the victors) our Fatherland would be liable to grievous oppression, that the Armistice was to be accepted, our trust being put in the magnaminity of our enemy—I could stand it no longer. It was impossible for me to remain. Everything went black before my eyes again, and I staggered and stumbled my way back to the dormitory, flung myself upon my cot, and buried by burning head in the blanket and pillow.
I had not cried since the day when I stood beside my mother’s grave. Whenever in my youth I was gripped by a pitiless Fate, my obduracy increased. When Death fetched dear comrades and
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