Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-08-26
COMMAND OF KAISER
IS SUPREME LAW
When Emperor Declares War
German Soldiers Have
Only To Obey.

The $4,000 sturdy German sOldiery
who a few days ago were men, but
now among the dead before Liege had
no voice as to whether they should live
or die.
I The hundreds of thousands Of soldiers
who have been called to the colors
must fight for God and country
whether they believe the fight just or
not.
Their m may be swept from
the sea. their homes RACED and their
fields sowed with bullets and blood.
but they will have no redress.
They had no choice. They were
called by h emperor and had nothing
to do but obey. for Germany, in time
Of war. is a one-man power.
The $4,000, 900 Inhabitants Of the en-
pire have no more option as to wheth-
er their soldiers shall risk life, home
and treasure and saddle them with an
of Russia.
Kaiser An Absolute Ruler.
William II. emperor of Germany and
king of Prussia, Is absolute ruler of
the destiny of his people. At his COM
mand wal Is declared. At his COM
mand war ceases. Neither the rulers
Of the various states which go to form
the German c~onfederacy or the people
can interfere with the actions of the
emperor. His imperial command is
final.
William II is not responsible for this
condition. He simply is exercising the
prerogative which was vested in the
house Of Hohenzollern when the con-
federacy was formed.
The German empire is a union Of rs
sovereign states. composed of four
Kingdoms, six grand duchies, five
duchies. seven principalities and three
free W Alsace-Lorraine. coded by
the French In 1871. forms a 26th con-
%stitutent of the confederation. but is
administered by q central authority.
The supreme direction Of the military
and political affairs Of the empire has.
by the vote of the reichstag or diet Of
the North German confederation been
vested in the king Of Prussia, who, ac-
cordingfy. bears the title OF German
redltary In h line OF H~Ohenxollern.
and follows the law OF the first born.
The empero 10 assisted in his Of
ffce by q federal council or %bundesrath.
which represents the governments Of
the individual states Of Germany. The
members OF this council. So in number.
are appointed for each session by the
governments VI the individual states.
The legislative functions OF the en-
ptre are vest0D in the per the
bundesrath. and the reichstag or diet.
Vote - by ballot. and one member Is
elected by approximately every 1O0,-
900 Inhabitants. The executive power is
in the emperor's hands. He represents
the empire internationally, and can de-
clare war IL defensive, and make peace
as well AZ enter into treaties With
other nations; he also appoints and
receives ambassadors. For declaring
offensive war the consent OF the fed
eral council must be obtained.
Emperor William obviated this re-
stf1CtiOn in the present great struggle
by declaring that the war wa defen-
sive. tnasmuch a. Germany and France
had mobilized their troops. For that
reason he was able TO throw the forces
Of Germany into tho field without ask
Ing the consent Of the federal council.
e had he had to . this consent.
che 6nperOr's decision would have been
supreme, for tho Kingdom Of Prussia,
whose hereditary ruler he d, u entire.
|ly under his control and controls the
federal council
William % centrels Federal Council.
There are only 9 members In the fed.
eSal council. This council u preeided