Changes

When Schlieffen retired in 1906, Wilhelm replaced him with Moltke, the emperor's former adjutant. "The personal favour of the emperors...coupled with his great name, elevated him to offices for which he was completely unqualified," as ''Britannica'' puts it.<ref>"Moltke, Helmuth (Johannes Ludwig) von." ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', 2013.</ref> Schlieffen himself strongly advised against the appointment.<ref>Röhl, p. 660.</ref>

When Schlieffen retired in 1906, Wilhelm replaced him with Moltke, the emperor's former adjutant. "The personal favour of the emperors...coupled with his great name, elevated him to offices for which he was completely unqualified," as ''Britannica'' puts it.<ref>"Moltke, Helmuth (Johannes Ludwig) von." ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', 2013.</ref> Schlieffen himself strongly advised against the appointment.<ref>Röhl, p. 660.</ref>

The transformation of the Schlieffen plan from a spy game ruse to a serious war plan can be attributed to Erich Ludendorff. Moltke promoted Ludendorff to a top position in the General Staff in 1908. After measures were taken to impose secrecy, Moltke began reworking the plan in 1909 with the help of Hermann von Stein, Gerhard Tappen, and Ludendorff.<ref>Mombauer, p. 90.</ref> In 1912, von Stein left the General Staff and Ludendorff, who later served as figurehead for Hitler's "Beerhall putsch" of 1923, replaced him in the No. 2 spot.

The transformation of the Schlieffen plan from a spy game ruse to a serious war plan can be attributed to Erich Ludendorff. Moltke promoted Ludendorff to a top position in the General Staff in 1908. After measures were taken to impose secrecy, Ludendorff began reworking the plan in 1909 with the help of Hermann von Stein and Gerhard Tappen.<ref>Mombauer, p. 90.</ref> In 1912, von Stein left the General Staff and Ludendorff, who would later serve as figurehead for Hitler's "Beerhall putsch" of 1923, replaced him in the No. 2 spot.

==The ''Daily Telegraph'' Affair (1908)==

==The ''Daily Telegraph'' Affair (1908)==