William Street, General Staff Headquarters.
Ludendorff seemed as if disaster had struck, holding the telegram and handing it over to Hindenburg's desk: "The Americans have entered the war."
Hindenburg took the telegram, glanced at it, and silently put it aside.
A hint of surprise flashed in Ludendorff's eyes: "Aren't you going to say something, Chief of General Staff?"
"What is there to say?" Hindenburg countered.
"Our Kaiser." Ludendorff looked around, lowered his voice, but his tone was filled with anger: "At a time when we were trying every way not to anger the United States, he sought an alliance with Mexico, which directly led to U.S. involvement in the war and pushed the Empire to the brink of danger!"
Hindenburg remained calm: "It's our fault, Erich."
"What?" Ludendorff became more agitated: "No, it's the Kaiser's fault, his stupidity and ignorance led to this outcome..."
"Do you really think so?" Hindenburg interrupted Ludendorff.
